The president made the statement in his opening address at the International Conference of Foreign Bribery in Business Transaction 2011 in Bali on Tuesday.
Present in the conference were Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) officials and representatives of law enforcement and corruption eradication of the G-20, members of OECD, APEC, and ADB, and APEC countries as well as as national and foreign observers.
"This gathering is truly a corruptor`s worst nightmare! Thank you for taking part in this very important conference, to talk about
combating bribery in international business transactions," President Yudhoyono said, adding that combating corruption has been a cornerstone of his administration.
Commenting on bribery cases, the president said the money spent on bribes meant the the money was not spent on improving roads, schools, hospital and that meant food and drugs did not meet the safety standards.
"By turning a blind eye to a bribe here and a bribe there, we are
compromising the quality of life for ourselves, our parents, our children. We all pay the price. Ultimately, bribery robs all of us of true progress and economic growth," the president said.
He said the even today systemic corruption continues, and in developing countries, it does so by taking advantage of the global financial network.
The corrupt exploits the international financial network, covering their tracks in foreign jurisdictions.
As long as these `safe havens` exist, people will continue to siphon money and send them overseas, he said.
"We cannot keep on supporting this endemic problem," the president said, adding that the World Bank estimated that bribery amounts to some 3 per cent of the world`s economy, or more than $1 trillion US dollars.
He said bribery was prevalent in tax evasion efforts, and it was also rife in the investment sector, particularly foreign investment.
But President Yudhoyono said law enforcement agencies were not keeping idle for some 150 companies and individuals, in more than 10 countries have been charged with bribery and duly punished.
"Today, some 250 cases remain under investigation. Yet, these efforts have not been enough," the head of state said.
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Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
