Two to Tango

Two to Tango

Excellent write-up and courage shown by your reporter
illuminating the cash packets delivered to the Judge's Chambers.
Bribery in legal system not merely fictitious story (The Jakarta
Post on April 4, 2002).

Our President has identified this problem as a top priority
towards assuring international investors that Indonesia has
indeed turned the corner, and is now in the era of reform.

Practically speaking, there are always two parties involved.
The susceptibility of the judiciary in receiving payoffs is our
national failure. We can pledge to address these shortcomings
much as a doctor treats symptoms, bearing in mind that the
underlying disease is one of chronic underpayment, retirement
security and pride of profession. These are domestic issues that
we must address.

The other party then is the one offering the bribe. How do we
protect ourselves against these agents of corruption, moreover
when they are foreigners? Isn't it just too easy for them to
chastise us when they are also in the mud pit?

I'm speaking from personal experience here. I had lodged a
formal complaint at the Canadian embassy, supported by
irrefutable evidence, my loss was a result of the expatriate CEO
of a Canadian company paying off the authorities. Never mind that
the corruptor bragged about his accomplishment, his ability to
prevail in Indonesia, the embassy chose to "not get involved".

Had the same event taken place in Calgary, an investigation
would have been launched immediately. We note that in Ottawa,
"The Honorable Diane Marleau, Minister for International
Cooperation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, and the
Honorable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General
of Canada, announced the arrival of a Canadian delegation
comprised of senior Justice Department officials and non-
governmental legal experts in Jakarta, Indonesia. The delegation
will assist Indonesia in its efforts to reform its justice
system."

How positively condescending. I say to Ottawa and their lofty
goals... "clean up your own house first. Make sure that your own
corporate officers are not the problem."

Meanwhile, here in Jakarta, we will endeavor to improve our
systemic failures.

E. WIJAYA

Jakarta