"One of the most important lessons Indonesia has learned in fighting corruption is that the fight must be done systematically. As I said, it is a marathon, not a quick sprint, and it will require perseverance and support from all of us to get us to the finish line," the president said.
The president emphasized the need to start eradicating corruption from the grassroots, working laterally to include all the stakeholders at all levels, and working its way to the top, to ensure that the leadership was also involved in combating graft.
"Systematic efforts means protecting and nurturing the integrity of the system, reforming the bureaucracy, and making sure the bureaucrats are paid enough, so that they will not seek additional income illegally by being corrupt. Systematic effort also means establishing institutional supervisory controls and independent Ombudsmen, that can spot irregular transactions and act against them without political pressure," said the president.
Yudhoyono also stressed g the need to maintain continuous communication between government agencies and businesses, and making sure that both sides understand and adopt the same anti-corruption spirit.
He said corruption was perpetuated not only by individuals, but by a system that gives these individuals a `safe haven`. "We need to fix the system, break down its walls and build transparent new ones, so that the corrupt can no longer hide in the system," Yudhoyono said.
However, the president admitted that fighting corruption was not easy adding that there was also the possibility of corruptors not getting into jail.
"But if society can learn from good examples, it can also learn from the bad. And what is important is that the so-called big fish corruptors are caught, tried and convicted, to set an example for all the little fish trying to become bigger fish," he added. ***3***
(T.A051/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
