Where there is a will, there is a way. History teaches us that corruption cannot be eradicated by mere speeches.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
KOMPAS
The suspect in the corruption case of the Langkat Regent, Terbit Perangin-angin when brought by the Corruption Eradication Commission officers a few days ago.
Corruption has again become a hot topic of public discussion, following the recent arrest of three regents by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). A transparent system is seen as a way out.
Rhetoric on eradicating corruption has also been voiced by the country’s political elite. "The culture of corruption must be cut out, and this requires cohesiveness from the top to the bottom, with one mindset and the same frequency," Home Minister Tito Karnavian said, as quoted in Kompas on 25 Jan., during a meeting with regional heads and chairs of the Regional Legislative Councils (DPRD). A transparent system is needed.
KPK head Firli Bahuri said that corruption had trapped regional heads and hampered efforts to achieve the nation’s goal as stated in the fourth paragraph of the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution.
The public agrees with the analysis and prescribed solution for preventing corruption. Efforts to eradicate corruption have been widely discussed since the nation's independence. Various state commissions have been formed and various proposals have been drawn up to prevent corruption. Religious leaders have also spoken up.
But corruption continues to remain rampant. In fact, a 24-year-old millennial has also become a perpetrator of corruption. This is astonishing. The corruption has involved all family members. The husband, wife, children, and nieces and nephews are all stealing state money.
Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro (KUM)
Probolinggo Regent Puput Tantriana Sari and her husband who is also a member of the DPR Hasan Aminuddin arrive at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Building in Jakarta, Monday (30/8/2021).
When the anticorruption movement peaked in 1998, public protests grew against corrupt practices, including acts of collusion and nepotism. The issue appeared in People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. XI/MPR/1998 on state administrators that are clean and free of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). But it seems the practice of collusion and nepotism has been accepted, and has become even more widespread today. This situation is really disappointing.
Corruption will not go away if the elite are busy with mere analysis and issuing rhetoric, but they lack the courage to take political action. It is quite clear that regional heads have resorted to committing acts of corruption because of high political costs! The political cost of becoming a governor, regent or mayor is very high and is not commensurate with their incomes. This is also partly due to the high threshold for nominating regional heads. The question is, why are steps not being taken to change the political system so it can better guarantee the presence of clean leaders?
There are political opportunities. With the majority political power controlling 82 percent of seats in the legislature, why don’t lawmakers revise the law so as to limit the potential for corruption? Why don’t they make a political decision to prohibit political parties from nominating regional head candidates if it has been proven that the nominated candidate was involved in corruption?
If there is a political will, there is certain to be a way. For example, the government and the DPR just recently approved the relocation of the National Capital City (IKN) from Jakarta to North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, and amended the KPK Law. Where there is a will, there is a way. History teaches us that corruption cannot be eradicated by mere speeches.
This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.
