Can Indonesia Be Free From Corruption?

Tamu Ina Rambu Hudang, Management, Unkriswina

Corruption cases in Indonesia is now at an alarming rate. Almost every month we see news of corruption in the media. As if corruption has already ingrained, which cannot be separated from government officials, even officials of Ministry of Religion. The ministry that’s supposed to teach ethics and morality isn’t free from corruption and position trading.

Vice chairman of KPK (2015-2019) Saut Situmorang said that many corruption cases came from the country’s national budget (APBN), which in 2019 values more than two thousand trillion. If 20% of it is corrupted, it means that the country lost around 200 trillion each year. Of course, this number is huge. If the country’s budget is truly spent for public interests, especially those who live on the poverty line, there will be no more cries from them because of hunger or difficulties to sustain their livings. High level of corruption is also the cause of the increase of poverty in Indonesia, and the increase of students who are drop out school due to lack of funds. Therefore, the government must be more assertive on eradicating corruption. My little heart asked me whether Indonesia can be free from corruption.

To answer the aforementioned questions, we must start from our current steps in eradicating corruption, which will affect the future course of the nation. If we are still in doubted to combat corruption and still selfish, corruption will not go away. Anti-corruption culture must be taught since childhood. Family, the smallest institution has a major role on teaching the nation’s future generation. Family must teach the value that taking something that is not their belongings is wrong. School also plays a great role on teaching the nation’s future generation. School is expected not only to focus on the children’s knowledge but also ethics and morality must be taught too. Leaders must be good examples, so that, they must be free from issues of corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN). Leaders must be aware that he works for people and paid by the people and not only for his own or a certain group’s interest.

National institutions, in this case, Corruption Watch Commission (KPK), judiciary, police and other institutions that handle corruption issue must be really assertive to give sentences to the corruptors with fair justice. If every stakeholder plays their role precisely, then our nation’s hope to be free of corruption could be a reality. Let us teach honesty since childhood and keep working together against corruption. ***