Indonesia: The Continuous Struggle to Combat Corruption

 

By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

JAKARTA, Indonesia – It seems that corruption is a way of life in Indonesia, and for many Indonesians, it is trite to pass a small bribe to an official to get a task or favor done. The practice is embedded in so many facets of life in Indonesia that it is virtually impossible for civilians to escape having to engage in bribery or evade its effects.

Corruption costs the country’s economy billions of dollars every year. According to a recent report by the US-based Human Rights Watch, it is estimated that corruption in Indonesia’s forestry industry alone costs the economy $2 billion a year, which is dramatic since Indonesia is home to the world’s third largest area of tropical rain forest impacted by the huge degree of illegal logging that occurs.

Dealing with corruption in forestry is not only area Indonesia is seeking to clamp down on efforts of fraud. The European Union has come out with a report saying that one of the main reasons its investors are reluctant to come to Indonesia is the perception of high levels of graft in the country. The government acknowledges there is a problem, but says that like all developing countries, Indonesia is not perfect. According to Gita Wirjawan, the individual responsible for trying to attract more foreign funds to Indonesia’s economy, “One has to take a long term view of Indonesia.” Wirjawan went on to say that, “There may be some questions or concerns about Indonesia – but that applies to just about every country in the world… we’re on the right trajectory and we’re heading in the right direction.” 

In early December, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reasserted his pledge to lead an endeavor against corruption in Indonesia. In a televised speech on the eve of International Anti-Corruption Day, Yudhoyono asked the public to work together to fight graft, saying he wished to create a clean government as his legacy by the end of his term in 2014. Yudhoyono claims to have done a lot to eradicate corruption since he assumed power in 2004, and stated that reforms within the Attorney General’s Office and the National Police would continue to be the top priority of his administration in the coming five years.

Yudhoyono Photograph of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono discussing anti-corruption efforts. Image courtesy of Asia Sentinal. 

Apart from statements by government officials, editorials in Indonesian newspapers have called him weak and indecisive in his handling of the case of the Corruption Eradication Commission, or the KPK as it is known in Indonesia, one of the few institutions people in this country actually have faith in.

Anticorruption Photograph of an anti-corruption demonstration. Image courtesy of BBC World News.

One civilian, James Sundah, a 50-year-old musician lost his driving license and tried to get the local police to help him replace it. Instead, he was forced to get a new license. He was told by police that “it would be a quick and painless procedure” and he knew that this was a hint to most Indonesians to pay some money and get your license, but Sundah refused. He tried to go through the official procedure to re-obtain his license, but his application and test were denied several times. Sundah said, “I was a couple of points short each time – but when I asked to see the test papers, the officials refused. The others in my exam room told me that if I just paid an extra $20, I would get my license.” Sundah stated that the police must have grown tired of his persistence, because finally he was given his license. When Sunday asked to see his exam paper after passing, he said, “I looked at it and I spotted the question: ‘What would you do if you hit someone in an accident?’ I got the question wrong because the correct answer, according to the official exam paper was to run away!” 

Sundah Photograph of James Sundah and family driving. Image courtesy of BBC World News.

Despite stories like Sundah’s and so many other Indonesians forced to endure and submit to nefarious practices, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has publically announced its effort to target corrupt officials and agency backroom wheeling and dealing

 

For more information, please see:

BBC World News – Indonesia battles with widespread corruption – December 24, 2009 

Asia Sentinal – Anti-graft Day in Jakarta – December 9, 2009

The Jakarta Post – SBY renews pledge to lead corruption jihad – December 8, 2009

Human Rights Groups Condemn Murder of Colombian Governor

By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia-Human rights groups are condemning the attempted kidnapping and murder of Luis Francisco Cuellar, the governor of Caquetá. The Colombian government says that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) murdered the governor in retaliation for his promise of a “safe democracy” and crackdown on rebel groups.

The governor’s son told the press that his father was murdered because he refused to walk with the kidnappers. He had severe knee pain from four previous abductions, dating back to before he was governor and had reportedly told his son that he would not walk if he was abducted again

The FARC have not confirmed or denied responsibility for the murder. Senior FARC leaders reportedly have decreased control over their units since severe government strikes over past years. There is speculation that the recent killing will thwart the scheduled release of two FARC hostages.

Amnesty International condemned the killing of a civilian government official. “Civilians in Colombia should not be forced to be part of this conflict,” said a Colombia researcher for Amnesty International. Human Rights Watch stated that the killings showed that “the FARC is once again showing its ruthlessness and complete disregard for the laws of war and the well-being of civilians”

President Uribe has rejected a political dialogue with FARC, which has been fighting the government for forty-five years. The FARC seek to swap its highest profile prisoners for the 500 guerrillas in government jails.

For more information, please see:

Asia One News-Murdered Colombian Governor “Refused to Walk:” Son-24 December 2009

Amnesty International-Amnesty Condemns Killing of Caquetá Governor-23 December 2009

Relief Web-Caquetá Governor Abducted and Killed

Uganda Under Fire for Anti-Gay Law

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

KAMPALA, Uganda-This week saw members of the United States Congress call on Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, to dismiss a proposed legislation imposing excessive penalties on homosexuals. According to reports, the legislation mandates a life sentence for a single act of homosexuality, and the death penalty if the individual is found to be HIV positive. The congressmen have sent letters to the President informing him of the legislation’s human rights violations implications and how it is inconsistent with the “Christian spirit of love and mercy.”

Congressman Frank Wolf, a Republican from the state of Viriginia said, “We think the legislation is wrong and inappropriate. We ask that he do everything he can to either veto the bill or kill the bill.” Other congressman who joined Wolf’s letter was representatives Chris Smith, Joe Pitts, Trent Franks, and Anh “Joseph” Cao. All of these congressmen are members of the Republican Executive Committee members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the House of Representatives.

Uganda has been under fire recently by the international community as a result of the proposed legislation. Many countries who provide aid to the country, such as Sweden, have threatened to withdraw aid if the legislation is passed.  The Ugandan parliament is due to vote on the bill early next year. Currently there is legislation in place that already punishes individuals up to 14 years in jail for engaging in homosexual acts.

The Global Christian community has also called on Uganda to stop the legislation from passing. The Chief of the World Council of churches, Samuel Kobia said, “From the experience of many nations, it is very clear that if such a bill is enacted into law, it will leave a lot of room for manipulation, abuse, blackmail, and oppression of people.”

For more information please see:

BBC – Welsh Aid For Uganda Aide Despite Gay Death Penalty Plan – 23 December 2009

Reuters – Uganda Government Softens Proposed Anti-Gay Law – 23 December 2009

VOA – US Congressman Call on Ugandan President To Reject Anti-Homosexual Legislation – 23 December 2009

Insurgent Attacks Engulf Mogadishu, Killing Civilians in its Wake

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least 15, mostly civilians have been killed and over 30 others injured in heavy clashes between Somali militants and government forces backed by African Union troops in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

The clashes started on late Wednesday in the capital’s KM4 and Dabka intersections and Shaqalaha road, where fighters loyal to Somalia’s Hizbul Islam carried out surprise attacks on government positions, leading to heavy gun battle.

Insurgents fired mortars at government troops, prompting a heavier response of shells that killed civilians in several suburbs of Mogadishu and made residents cower indoors.

Mohammed Osman Arus, Hizbul Islam spokesman confirmed that his forces carried out attacks on government and AU troops, killing several soldiers. “We carried out attacks on their positions. I saw dead bodies of three AU soldiers with my on eyes,” he claimed. AU troops’ spokesman Barigye Bahoku, however, refuted those claims, when reached for comments.

It is believed that the Islamist insurgent attacks targeted the first parliament session held in the capital in months. The session was held in the mayor’s office for security reasons and President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed had been due to attend it, officials said.

Retaliatory shelling rained down on Mogadishu’s Bakara and Holwadag neighborhoods, causing several casualties, residents said. Bakara, which is notorious for its open-air weapons bazaar, has long been viewed by the government and the African Union force AMISOM as a stronghold of hardline Islamist al Shabaab insurgents who are trying to overthrow the country’s transitional administration.

Washington accuses the rebel group of being al Qaeda’s proxy in the failed Horn of Africa state. Western security agencies say that Somalia has become a safe haven for militants, including foreign jihadists, who are using it to plot attacks across the region and beyond.

Fighting in Somalia has killed 19,000 civilians since the start of 2007 and driven another 1.5 million from their homes, triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.

For more information, please see:

Garowe Online – Mogadishu Clashes Kill 15, Injures 30 – 25 December 2009

Shabelle Media Network  – Heavy Shelling Kills Three, Injures 24 Others in Mogadishu – 20 December 2009

Reuters – Mortar shell attacks kills at least 14 in Somalia – 20 December 2009

AFP – Eight killed in mortar attack on MPs in Mogadishu – 20 December 2009

Afghan Asylum Seekers Removed from Christmas Island

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

CANBERRA, Australia –   Australia transported thirty young asylum seekers from Christmas Island to the mainland due to overcrowded conditions at the detention facility.

Earlier this past week, thirty Afghans, most of which are reportedly boys, will be held at Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation at Broadmeadows until immigration officers can process them.

Thirty-five individuals responsible for bringing asylum seekers to Australia were also taken from Christmas Island and brought to another facility in Darwin.

In addition, ten Afghan youths, who were relocated to Melbourne last September, have been released into the community.

The Christmas Island detention center has almost reached its maximum capacity, or approximately 1,432 individuals.

An immigration spokesperson for the Opposition, Scott Morrison, stated that the government must look into other facilities for holding the asylum seekers while they await processing, as Christmas Island is nearing its capacity.

“The government should be seeking to identify alternative off-shore processing options if they cannot accommodate people on Christmas Island,” he said.

The Opposition believes that the government’s actions will encourage the people smugglers, in that it will be possible for them to get these asylum seekers all the way to the mainland.

Advocates for the asylum seekers expressed approval for transferring the Afghan boys to Melbourne.  However, they did not see that there was a reason to keep the youths in a detention facility.

A representative of the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre questioned the necessity of detaining youths who “fled persecution and are about to be granted protection.”

Immigration Minister Chris Evans indicated that these Afghan youths would get “priority processing” in the Melbourne facility.

The Government denied that overcrowded conditions on Christmas Island prompted the decision to move the asylum seekers.

Further, the Government indicated that relocating some of the asylum seekers is not a reflection of a shift in policy from those of the previous administration.  Opposition officials claim that the current administration’s policy is undermining the system of offshore processing.

According to acting Immigration Minister Robert McClelland, children and families were transported to the mainland in some cases for processing under the previous administration.

Although the Government claims their legal status as offshore arrivals is not affected, the opposition believes that this decision may allow asylum seekers to challenge detention in the courts on the mainland.

Approximately 1,400 asylum seekers remain in detention on Christmas Island, just over 1,200 of which are in immigration detention, 102 individuals occupy tents, and the remainder lives in the community.

For more information please see:
Sydney Morning Herald – Young refugees taken off island – 24 December 2009

ABC News – Asylum seekers moved to Melbourne – 23 December 2009

Herald Sun – Asylum-seekers relocated to Australia – 23 December 2009