Jakarta urged to lead regional anti-graft fight

The Straits Times, October 30, 2007
by Azhar Ghani, Indonesia Bureau Chief


JAKARTA - A LEADING global anti-corruption movement yesterday urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to lead a regional fight against graft despite flagging public confidence in the Indonesian leader's ability to do so at home.

Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) made the call during a meeting with Dr Yudhoyono at the state palace here yesterday.

The high-level TI delegation included chairman Huguette Labelle and vice-chairman Akere Muna, as well as the head of its Indonesian chapter, Mr Todong Mulya Lubis.

Mr Todong told The Straits Times after the meeting yesterday: 'We recognise that the President's anti-graft initiatives have not been as successful as expected, but we also recognise the fact that he is doing his best.'

Dr Yudhoyono, who won the 2004 presidential elections on a platform that included a tough anti-corruption plank, has been plagued by criticism from his detractors that he has failed to deliver on his campaign promises.

Despite several high-profile prosecutions of officials, including those at the governor level, the Yudhoyono administration's inability to act on corruption issues with high public interest has disappointed many.

These issues include the government's continued failure to bring former president Suharto to justice, as well as its impotence in recovering government funds siphoned overseas by corrupt officials and bankers in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998.

Indeed, in its annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI), TI this year ranked Indonesia a lowly 143 on a list of 180 countries surveyed.

Five Asean countries were ranked ahead of Indonesia: Singapore at No. 4, Malaysia at 43, Thailand at 84, Vietnam at 123 and the Philippines at 131. Three others ranked below Indonesia - Cambodia at 162, Laos at 168 and Myanmar at 178. Brunei was the only Asean country not on the list.

Mr Todong said yesterday that Dr Yudhoyono was receptive to taking a leadership role in anti-corruption efforts in Asean, and even asked TI to submit suggestions on what could be included in a possible regional anti-graft convention.

The meeting with Dr Yudhoyono was held after TI ended its annual meeting, which took place in Bali this year.

In January, Indonesia will host another global anti-graft meeting - the United Nations Convention Against Corruption - in Bali.