Graft Cripples Public Faith in Politicians

Jakarta Globe, Ronna Nirmala, October 03, 2011

Several bodyguards escorting House of Representatives Budget Committee
Chairman Marcus Melchias Mekeng's car after he was questioned by the
 Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) last month. The controversy
 surrounding the budget committee further dragged down public trust in
politicians, a new survey showed. (JG Photo)   

         

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Faced with a seemingly endless series of corruption cases in the country, only 23 percent of respondents in a new survey said they still believed Indonesian politicians were doing a good or very good job.

The Indonesia Survey Circle (LSI) survey of 1,200 people in all 33 provinces also showed that those believing the current politicians were better than their predecessors were a minority.

The survey showed that 51 percent thought politicians were doing a bad or very bad job, with 25 percent refusing to answer the question.

LSI researcher Ardian Sopa said trust in politicians was greater in rural areas (24 percent) than in urban areas (18 percent) where there was better access to information, including on politicians.

Politicians’ popularity has dropped by 21 percent in the past six years. A survey in 2005 pointed out that 44 percent of the population still trusted them.

“Only 13 percent of respondents said current politicians are doing a better job than those of the New Order, and 32 percent attested to the opposite,” Ardian said. The New Order refers to the 32 years of late President Suharto authoritarian rule.

House Speaker Marzuki Alie said he was not surprised by the finding. He said the House was taking steps to regain trust, including through establishing a complaint system. He added that planned “aspiration houses” would give people better access to lawmakers.

Ardian attributed the drop in trust over the past six years to the many graft cases in which elected officials were named.

“There are so many politicians involved in corruption cases — either already jailed or still on trial,” he said. He added that as many as 125 officials at the regional level were suspects, defendants or convicts in graft cases.

“And don’t forget those members or former members of our legislature who are now detained over the Miranda Goeltom traveler’s checks scandal”, he said. He was referring to bribery related to the selection of Miranda for a senior position at Bank Indonesia, over which 28 are now detained.

The operations of the so-called budget mafia at the House of Representatives was also to blame for the weakening public trust, the survey institute said.

“The public gets mad not only because [politicians] take their money, but because these politicians don’t seem to care about the effects of corruption,” said Rully Akbar, another LSI researcher.

“If corruptors embezzle 30 to 40 percent of the budget allocations, can you imagine what the effect will be on the quality of those projects?”

Ardian said the rising popularity of social media allowed people to swiftly express opinions on their representatives.

Rully said that politicians should make sure those convicted of graft be subject to harsh and consistent sanctions.

He said the recruitment of politicians also needed scrutiny, especially with regard to job competency and integrity. “There is no strong country without strong parties but there’s no strong party without trusted politicians.”