Udin, Aceh's corruption fighter

Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh

What is the most infamous thing about Aceh besides its armed conflict? Ask this question of Akhiruddin and he will answer with confidence: "The corruption."

The 30-year-old is the coordinator of Anti-Corruption Solidarity (SORAK), a non-governmental organization that has for the past four years been actively scrutinizing the practice of good governance in Aceh.

"Aceh is the most corrupt region in Indonesia. Billions of rupiah allocated by the central government for the Acehnese have been misused. Things are even worse because we do not know who should be held responsible for this," said Udin, as Akhiruddin is known.

Dealing with corrupt officials is nothing new for Akhiruddin. His first encounter with a corruption case was in 1999, when he was still a student in the School of Accounting at state Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh.

He says that he reported financial irregularities in campus construction projects, adding that he was almost kicked out of school for daring to call attention to the corruption.

"I was almost kicked out of school because I involved myself in the matter. I was ready to graduate in just a few months," Udin, who was born in Bone, South Sulawesi, told The Jakarta Post.

He did graduate, after which he joined the anticorruption NGO Care for the Acehnese Economy (PEKA). He did not stay long with the organization because of differences of opinion he had with the leaders.

He later set up his own anticorruption organization, SORAK, which actively campaigns against corruption, a problem Udin thinks has become ingrained in the province.

Investigating a corruption practice takes bravery and perseverance, especially when it comes to turning down bribes to drop the matter

Udin said his organization had to remain cautious and prudent throughout the entire process of examining financial reports. And as soon as they gather enough evidence, they can file a report with the police.

He said the state has suffered huge financial losses during the administration of Governor Abdullah Puteh, who was recently declared a graft suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The governor is alleged to have been involved in a mark-up of the purchase of a Russian Mi-2 helicopter by the Aceh administration in 2002, causing Rp 4 billion in state losses.

Udin said there were two other cases -- the Rp 30 billion purchase of a generator for state electricity company PLN and the undeclared distribution of allowances to members of the provincial legislature -- that proved the governor's involvement in corruption.

"The mark-up of the helicopter is being investigated by the KPK, but we are wondering why it is taking so long," Udin said.

He said the slow pace of corruption investigations always disappointed him. But he maintains his faith that no wrongdoer can escape the long arm of the law.

"Although the Acehnese governor is being investigated as a witness, overall it has proved my belief is correct," he said with a smile.

Udin said the armed conflict in Aceh, which began in 1976, has provided cover to the Aceh government to practice corruption. He said the conflict diverted people's attention from the corruption.

Under its special autonomy status, Aceh gets Rp 3 trillion from the central government annually. However, it is plain for all to see that poverty and unemployment remain major problems in Aceh despite its special status.

He said he had never received death threats from corruptors. However, he spoke of receiving various warnings from anonymous callers, but added that did not deter him from his work.

"We know who the callers are. We are sure they must be the people who are troubled by our investigations," he said.

Nor does his relatively small salary discourage Udin from fighting corruption.

Besides his monthly salary, his family is also supported by the salary of his wife Mawardah, who is a teacher, and from Mawardah's two-hectare palm oil plantation.

"Since 2003, I have been making Rp 2.5 million. Back in 2000, I had to rely on financial help from local anticorruption NGOs," the father of one recalled.

He added that his current salary was only enough to pay for his monthly phone bill.

"If you want to be rich, don't be an anticorruption activist. Moreover, you'll be accused of receiving bribes if you ever make some money," Udin said with a laugh.