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