Issues of the day: Men more corrupt than women: Mega

Feb. 10, Online

Megawati Soekarnoputri, Indonesia’s first female president and chief patron of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), claims that men have more of a tendency to engage in corrupt activities than women.

“This is based on a survey in the United States. As proof, corrupt men are great in number,” she said during a discussion in Jakarta on Friday as quoted by tempo.co.

Megawati, who is the daughter of first president Sukarno, said she was bewildered by the fact that corrupt people tended to overlook the huge impact that corruption could have on society, while at the same reminding PDI-P members not to engage in corruption.

Your comments:

This is quite right for the simple fact that there are more men in politics and business than women.

Henry Manoe
Kupang

I can’t agree with that, Megawati; forget about the survey from the US and focus on Indonesia’s situation.
Wouldn’t women be on par with men regarding corruption in Indonesia if women were more equitably represented?

As a supporter of women’s empowerment yourself, you are aware that Indonesian women do not hold many decision-making positions in the public service, only approximately 18 percent represented in the House of Representatives.

Many of these position holders from these examples have been found guilty of corruption.

If women had the same opportunities, they would probably do the same because of the inherent corruption culture.

Burnie
Jakarta

Why do all the micro-credit organizations only lend to women and with complete success? It is important to recognize this and to also see that Indonesia constantly scapegoats women to protect men.

Corruption can hit anyone from any gender or culture but it is clear that women are better managers of our money.

Kevin
Jakarta

Will this be her justification to commit corruption if she is elected in the next election? Just wondering!

Anto
Jakarta

Unbelievable! We have run out of things to say on corruption and have become worse than absolutely clueless about how to tackle this disease that we have now resorted to use gender as a source of explanation.

Of course, if Ibu Mega thinks gender is predictive, then it must be right (sarcasm is in the air, I think).

Bim
Jakarta

Mega can use the words: the weaker sex, innocent housewife, home cook and mom know best. You had your time and blew it. Mom, don’t preach.

Gregory Fence
Karawang, West Java

Corruption cases in Indonesia are very serious and you have turned it into a joke.

Women have been experts since the first dawn on Earth in housekeeping.

In the countries where women have been as well educated as men, welfare and justice become a natural thing while Indonesian welfare and justice do not exist.

It is not because Indonesian women are not well educated, but most men still have very poorly educated.

To have a university degree does not mean someone is well educated if their behavior is still primitive and they engage in corruption. So Indonesia has a long way to go to achieve welfare for every citizen.

The most disgusting thing about corrupt people is their behavior. They believe they own the world. And they seem very proud of being corrupt.

They live in luxurious villas, drive expensive cars and also the high-ranking officials drive expensive cars paid by government.If no one in Indonesia can lead the nation to curb corruption seriously, Indonesia will remain backward while other countries enjoy welfare and justice.

A piece of advice may be given to Indonesian women, bring up your children to be honest and hard-working people. Women as housewives are the pillar of the nation’s development.

Widya
Bergen, Norway