Why query IMF and World Bank pledge?

Why query IMF and World Bank pledge?

The Jakarta Post on Sept. 22 reported the opinions of a noted
economist, Kwik Kian Gie, and a veteran legislator, Theo
Sambuaga, about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World
Bank's (WB) pledge to fight corruption.

Although we have to admit that Kwik is an expert in his field,
I cannot agree that the pledge will become a laughing stock among
elite political and business groups. It is a pity that no
political and business groups were mentioned because, so far,
only Kwik is laughing.

Let us look at what the intentions of the IMF and WB actually
were. Suara Pembaruan on Sept. 22 shed some light on this. The WB
and IMF are trying to stress the importance of the fight against
corruption and establish a clean government. The WB tried to
attract attention globally and issued a publication titled
Helping Countries Help Combat Corruption: The Role of World Bank.

The WB is not going to do anything to an individual country
but offer to help in the fight against corruption. The WB
anticorruption program consists of four points:

1. Prevent corruption in projects financed by the WB.

2. Help member countries fight corruption.

3. Include programs for fighting corruption in the agenda of
development.

4. Pay more attention to the issue of corruption and, in this
case, the WB will cooperate with international organizations like
the European Union, United Nations, International Chamber of
Commerce and Transparency International.

The WB recognizes the fact that this is not 100 percent
effective, due to a lack of enforcement power on their part. On
this matter the WB hopes that there will be a strong political
will to fight.

Legislator Theo Sambuaga, as a real nationalist, prematurely
said that the IMF and WB declaration is not relevant to
Indonesia, while in fact it is relevant. I can fully understand
his sentiment, based on the saying: "Right or wrong my country."

Almost the same attitude on corruption was expressed by
legislator Mrs. Royani Haminullah, a member of the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI), when she said that no country has the
right to meddle in our affairs.

But I was happy to read Mr. Theo Sambuaga's comment: "The
Indonesian government would consistently allow no room for graft
without having to wait for an outsider's demand or pressure."

Now Mr. Probosutedjo and Sukamdani S. Gitosardjono, two
prominent Indonesian tycoons, can sleep peacefully. Mr. Sukamdani
once said that graft in Indonesia that was perpetrated by
officials was out of control (Suara Pembaruan, July 19, 1997).
And Mr. Probosutedjo said that corruption in the bureaucracy,
from his own experience, can be found at all levels.

The pledge issued by the WB and IMF did not mention Indonesia
at all and does not point the finger at any country in
particular, make demands or apply visible pressure.

When an official of the WB was asked why the corruption rating
of countries was not mentioned, WB Vice President Mark Brown said
that the WB cannot do that because it will embarrass governments
in general.

I think the right attitude is to wait and see what is going to
happen after the World Bank's pledge. And do not reject a priori
the pledge.

Do not get emotional, keep your cool and do not lose hope. Let
us fight corruption.

So, how are we going to fight corruption? We do not need
rhetoric, such as that expressed during the election campaign by
all participants. It is too serious to be used just as a
political gimmick.

Let us make a concerted effort to fight corruption, which may
destroy all the good things in life we have achieved so far.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta