Yusril: Early Ethical Education Key to Preventing Corruption

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra believes that ethical education from an early age is the key to building a generation of integrity and eradicating all forms of corruption in the future. According to Yusril, the effort to build a country free from corruption, manipulation, and bribery cannot be achieved in a short time. Therefore, the continuous instillation of moral and ethical values through education is necessary. “I said it might take one or two generations to instil this matter,” Yusril said during the inauguration of Cetiya Tian Shi Hua Guan Di Jing in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta, on Sunday. “We must start from education from childhood, from schools, we provide a solid ethical teaching to give birth to a future generation that obeys ethics, obeys the law not because they are afraid of the police, prosecutors, or the KPK, but because they fear their own conscience,” he said. Yusril believes that moral awareness cannot be formed solely through the constitution or various laws and regulations. According to him, the law will only be effective if supported by a society that possesses integrity and ethical awareness. He added that moral values taught by religion play an important role in shaping individual character, thus serving as a bulwark against corrupt behaviour. However, in Yusril’s view, the greatest challenge in eradicating corruption lies in the weak ethical and moral awareness within society. “Moral development cannot be built with a constitution or with laws. What must be built is a strong ethical foundation,” Yusril stated.