The existence of KPK

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