"State officials need guidelines that clearly define and explain what constitutes corruption and what does not," the head of state said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and other law enforcers to provide guidelines to explain what actions are categorized as corruption or not corruption.

"State officials need guidelines that clearly define and explain what constitutes corruption and what does not," the head of state said at an event observing the International Anti-Corruption Day at the State Palace here on Monday.

"Based on my observation of several corruption cases, there are two kinds of perpetrators - those who deliberately engage in acts of corruption, and those who do not realize that what they are doing is wrong," President Yudhoyono explained.

"Clear guidelines are necessary to prevent officials from hesitating to spend the allocated budgets for development purposes," he said.

The President noted that over the past few years he had to make decisions on certain matters that should have been ideally handled by ministers.

"Therefore, my conclusion is that there is also hesitation at the ministerial level," he said.

The head of state pointed out that government officials hesitate to spend budgets allocated for development not only at the national level, but also at the regional level.

"In many regions, economic growth is stagnating. It should not have happened. Corruption must be prevented and eradicated, but national development activities must continue without any hesitation," President Yudhoyono said.

In an effort to raise awareness among officials with regard to the categorization of corruption cases, the central government will invite all governors, mayors, district heads, budget planners and other related officials next month to participate in a meeting that will discuss what activities constitute corruption, along with related regulations.

"The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), Police, and KPK will explain what actions are considered as acts of corruption and what are not," the President stated.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012