T

his year, Anticorruption Day was marked with some great events. For the first time a serving minister, Andi Mallarangeng, was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

The government has shown determination and strict law enforcement measures to deal with serious crimes like corruption. Previously, the anticorruption drive appeared to more on a discriminatory basis.

Despite this proven commitment, Transparency International Indonesia (TII) still ranked Indonesia among the most corrupt countries in 2012. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s corruption perception index (CPI) is lower than neighboring countries such as Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Academically, the ranking is debatable because perception must not be part of those variables measured. Perceptions or assumptions cannot be used to gauge what really happens on the ground.

Anticorruption measures and law enforcement measures against the corrupt are more valid. But we also need preventive measures.

The hard work of the KPK and other law enforcement agencies in dealing with corruption deserves appreciation. The fact that a Cabinet minister has been named a suspect is clearly an achievement.

However, preventive measures should not be underestimated and play a second fiddle. There have been such measures, like Presidential Decree No. 17/2011 on corruption eradication and prevention. But we still need a revolutionary step to deal with corruption.

A breakthrough has been made by the KPK and the Family Planning Board (BKKBN), which have cooperated in family-based corruption prevention program. The thinking goes that if graft can be prevented from within the family, society will resent corruption.

Corruption is a crime that has existed throughout the history of human civilization. Prevention using a sociocultural approach and the promotion of anticorruption values in the family may end the dark record of corruption in Indonesia.

Yohane Wawengkang
Depok, West Java