Susilo renews vow to fight against graft, red tape

Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Beijing

Since opening a special PO Box and call center over a month ago, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has received 2,500 letters and 140,000 text messages from people offering advice and suggestions.

Most of the text messages contained reports of corruption cases.

"We have replied and followed up on about 1,000 letters. Many of the text messages did not provide solid evidence, so it is difficult to launch investigations," Susilo told the Indonesian community in Beijing on Wednesday during his four-day state visit to China.

The President opened the PO Box and call center in order to communicate directly with the people. The move was sparked by the revelation that malnutrition was affecting thousands of children in the country and that many local administrations had ignored the problem for months.

In opening the call center, Susilo asked people to report any problems in their areas, particularly as related to corruption, which has been a major focus of his administration.

"I have given a directive to my subordinates that they should focus on combating the widespread corruption in the country and arrest those involved in major corruption cases who have stolen state money.

"These people should be punished and made to return the stolen money," he said to applause from the approximately 400 Indonesians gathered in Beijing.

Susilo said his PO Box and call center were also open to receive reports of extortion, which resulted in a high-cost economy. He said extortion discouraged many investors from bringing their money to Indonesia.

"I have also asked Kadin to report any officials who ask for money from businesspeople who are seeking permits," he said, referring to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The President also briefed the audience on government measures to stop the spread of bird flu, which recently killed a man and his two young daughters in Tangerang, Banten.

"Indonesia first experienced a bird flu outbreak in September 2003, which affected 118 cities and regencies in 17 provinces. But we managed to curb the outbreak last December.

"However, it came back this year and although it is on a smaller scale than in the past, the deaths of the three people has caused panic among farmers," he said.

Susilo also discussed the malnutrition cases that emerged in parts of Indonesia, particularly West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.

He said the government had ordered the reestablishment of community health posts, known as Posyandu, the Family Welfare Movement and family planning centers, which played a major role in the health care system during the New Order regime.

The President also told the audience that his wife, Kristiani Herawati, would not become involved in business or politics, but would focus on social causes.

Susilo is making his first visit to China as President. He was forced to delay the trip from July 13 due to fuel shortages at home.

The President also said Indonesia would open a consulate general in Shanghai, citing the importance of the fast growing industrial city.

"Shanghai is very important for us and we are also studying other cities, including Shenzhen, as possible locations for consulates general. Our bilateral ties with China over the past few years have been tremendously positive," he said.

Indonesia currently has consulates general in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.