The existence of KPK

While it is gratifying to know that my articles are read by such distinguished commentators as Sofie Arjon Schuette & Agam Fatchurrochman (The Jakarta Post, March 20), it would be even more gratifying if they took the trouble to give some thought to what they read.

Far from being ignorant of the existence of the KPK, my article was critical of some aspects of the so-called Corruption Eradication Commission. The fact that the public as a whole is generally unaware of the existence of the commission is perhaps its greatest failing. My article recommended the creation of a similar agency with public awareness, a high public profile and complete public accountability being among its most salient features.

If the public is, as the penetrating columnists claim, "still ignorant", one can only blame the commission for being, thus far, ineffectual. It hardly makes sense to take the public to task for failing to have heard of yet another government organization that has yet to accomplish anything meaningful.

Perhaps the "Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia" would find their time and resources better spent doing something about the problems I address in my articles than attacking those of us who genuinely look for solutions to the very problems they claim to be so concerned about. Maybe there would be some progress if the writers of the article worked towards inclusion rather than taking cheap shots at their allies in the press.

PATRICK GUNTENSPERGER, Jakarta