Susilo needs to act fast

Susilo needs to act fast

President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono described in his
statement on Oct. 9, the program for his first 100 days in power,
and vowed to lead the battle against corruption himself (The
Jakarta Post, Oct. 10).

This is very interesting, as this country is ranked as the
sixth most corrupt country in the world, which Susilo is well
aware of.

What we have seen so far is low-level corruption cases and
other petty criminal acts brought to court. These facts only
justify what Kahlil Gibran (a Lebanese poet 1883-1931) said, that
legal networks are utilized only to arrest petty criminals.

If Susilo really wants to be successful, he needs to learn
from China in declaring his battle against corruption.
At the start of his campaign, Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, in his
1998 political speech, asked his law-enforcement officials to
prepare 100 coffins for corruptors. One was for himself, should
he be found guilty of corruption.

We wonder what Susilo will do to mark the start of his
campaign against corruption. If he is committed to his promises,
the lack of seriousness of law-enforcement agencies, such as
police, prosecutors and judges, could hold him back. So he needs
to appoint a dedicated, firm, and brave National Police chief,
attorney general and honest judges.

The findings of the Supreme Audit Agency -- which have not
been used so far -- are supposed to be used for investigative
purposes, which would lead to prosecution, and later, conviction.
This agency, as most people know, has uncovered staggering
irregularities in state budgets, which urgently need to be
followed up on. So the police and prosecutors should be
proactive, and in this way, Susilo, as the head of the corruption
eradication campaign, must act.

The campaign must gain momentum immediately, so that his first
100 days in office are fruitful, and his legitimacy -- being the
directly-elected president -- is strengthened.

M. RUSDI
Jakarta