"The criticism is politely worded but I think it is stinging."
Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA News) - Non-governmental organization Lumbung Informasi Rakyat (LIRA) said it fully supports Nahdlatul Ulama in calling for death sentence for corruption convicts.

"It is not a new move but since it came from a big organization like NU it should carry greater weight," LIRA president H.M. Jusuf Rizal said here on Monday.

NU, the country`s largest non political Islamic organization has called for death sentence for corruption convicts and confiscation of their assets in a bid to reduce rampant corruption in the country.

Many people or organization including LIRA have repeated call for death sentence for corruption convicts and confiscation of their assets, he said.

However, the government of president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after almost ten years in power has failed to show strong determination to stamp out corruption from this country, he said.

Politically the message sent by NU, which has 90 million members, reflects big concerns of the people in general, he said.

Corruption has become a big hurdle hampering development of the nation to improve the welfare of the people, he added.

"The criticism is politely worded but I think it is stinging," he said, adding the people have been almost frustrated with the helplessness of the Yudhoyono government in dealing with corruption and weak law enforcement.

Jusuf Rizal, who is also the general chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Younger Generation (AMNU) said with strong support from NU and other anti corruption elements in the country the Yudhoyono administration should not hesitate to deal firmly with corruption.

China has succeeded in reducing cases of corruption as the Chinese government does not hesitate to mete out the firmest punishment for corruption convicts in that country, he cited.
(Uu.AS/H-ASG/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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