"I often ask myself why corruption and corrupt behavior were still continuing despite the fact that many corrupt people have been jailed or have been caught red handed," Jokowi said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo said the current law enforcement drive against the corrupt was yet to have a deterrent effect on the perpetrators.

"I often ask myself why corruption and corrupt behavior were still continuing despite the fact that many corrupt people have been jailed or have been caught red handed," the President, popularly known by his nickname Jokowi, said at the opening of the National Conference on Corruption Eradication at Balai Kartini, Jakarta on Thursday.

Jokowi shared the opinion expressed by the chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that the country needs law enforcers who themselves have integrity.

In addition, there are many issues linked to the fact that the bureaucracy has proven to be inefficient and these would need solutions, he added.

The head of state mentioned three key issues that the country faces: those related to corruption, inefficient bureaucracy, and inadequate infrastructure.

"These three key issues must be addressed jointly," the President stressed.

He believed that once the countrys corruption perception index and competitiveness index improved, Indonesia would witness a rise in its ease of doing business index.

"If all these things related to corruption perception index, competitiveness index, ease of doing business are done, I think we achieve a good rank," he noted.

The president called upon the people to maintain their sense of optimism despite the current unfavorable conditions.

"We have to work harder, in a more comprehensive and more integrated fashion. Corruption should be eradicated from top to bottom and we need to set our house in order when it comes to prevention as well as strict law enforcement," Jokowi explained.

Efforts to eradicate corruption would also need to involve all elements in the country, including executive, legislative, judicial institutions, law enforcers, private sector and the public.

Among the speakers in the conference were Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Chief of the Supreme Court Hatta Ali, Chief of the Indonesian Police General Tito Karnavian, Attorney General M Prasetyo, and some KPK officials.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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