Systemic corruption
Systemic corruption
The Indonesian Transparency Society (MTI) has shocked us with
its revelation that the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) has found
irregularities involving Rp 820 billion (US$97.62 million) in
Jakarta city institutions and enterprises. The fact that no
action has been taken by the police is even more interesting than
the sheer amount involved.
According to BPK, several irregularities, involving Rp 7.8
billion of the total Rp 820 billion, have occurred at the
Population and Civil Registration Agency. Four city councillors
are reportedly involved in the alleged swindle.
Surprisingly, one day after the BPK report was made public,
head of the City Audit Agency Firman Hutajulu said that there had
been only a few mistakes in procedure and administration in the
procurement of computers, which had caused the loss to city
funds.
"The investigation centered on why computers that had been
purchased were not installed until the project's deadline had
passed," Firman said.
That statement makes little sense -- or at least it makes
people wonder what the real job of the audit agency is. Does it
also deal with mistakes in procedure and administration that are
prone to causing financial losses to the city administration? And
how was it that a year-old case of alleged corruption was
investigated by the agency only on Monday, May 12, 2003, some
three months after the BPK findings? Or are there differences in
understanding with regard to corruption between BPK and the City
Audit Agency?
This leads us to the question of how the City Council could
have accepted Governor Sutiyoso's accountability address for 2001
and 2002. What criteria did the council use to measure the
governor's responsibility?
Jakarta's citizenry has been voicing deep concern about
corruption. Unfortunately, corruption appears to be a matter of
habit, culture and attitude, as well as of morality. In the
process of its growth, the practice has sprouted a vast systemic
network in Indonesia, making this country one of the most corrupt
in the world. It involves law enforcers as well as other
institutions and individuals that are supposed to uphold the law.
One activist expressed surprise on hearing that the Lampung
police had arrested the province's governor-elect, M. Alzier
Tabrani, for alleged malfeasance, while the authorities had not
yet received a report of his alleged criminal acts.
Unfortunately, there has, so far, been no response to reports
submitted to the city police and the City Prosecutor's Office
about Sutiyoso's alleged involvement in "money politics" to
assure his reelection earlier this year.
Another report on a scam allegedly carried out by Fauzi Bowo
between 1992 and 1997, when he was chairman of the government-
backed Civil Servants Corps in Jakarta, has also received no
response from the city police and the City Prosecutor's Office.
Fauzi Bowo is currently Jakarta deputy governor.
The Jakarta Police should be aware that corruption is a
special crime that deserves investigation, even in the absence of
reports or complaints being submitted. It would be unlawful and
in violation of the principle of presumption of innocence to
accuse the Jakarta law enforcers of being parties to the dirty
game. However, Jakarta's citizens are tired of complaining about
poor law enforcement and irregular practices that are seemingly
carried out by law enforcement officers and agencies in this
city.
Alleged corruption at the City Parking Agency, which has never
been pursued, could be cited as an example. Appropriate action
has never been taken to curb the alleged malfeasance and thereby
increase the city's parking revenues, which have been unusually
low from one year to the next.
The absence of legal moves is probably what has prompted City
Hall officials at all levels to exploit every chance they have to
enrich themselves. Most recently, an unofficial source alleged
that yet another case of corruption, involving more than Rp 100
billion from street lighting projects, had occurred. A non-
governmental organization is believed to be involved in the
crime.
In conclusion, let us not forget that Jakarta, as the capital
city of Indonesia, has, for a long time, been the nation's
trendsetter. Therefore, the Jakarta city administration owes it
to the country and the nation to set a good example by presenting
itself as a model of good governance, with honest and effective
law enforcement.
It is high time for the city police and the City Prosecutor's
Office to be more responsive and proactive in dealing with
reports on corruption. We do hope the City Council will be more
critical and independent in examining and evaluating the
governor's performance. Only in this way can it play a positive
role toward erasing Indonesia's sadly tarnished image in the
world and give a boost to the nation's efforts at establishing
good governance.