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