Based on the Corruption Perception Index in the 2014 Transparency International report, Indonesia ranked 117 out of 175 countries with a high level of corruption. Corruption often clouds the politics and economy in Indonesia, from officials to businessman. These corruptors have infuriated Indonesian people and at the same time made them pessimistic about making Indonesia free of corruption come true.
The spirit and hope has resurfaced among students of Parahyangan Catholic University. They are the youths who wish to support the #AkuVSKorupsi movement in Indonesia.
On Friday (4/11), for the very first time, the Directorate General of Analysis and Strategic Acts of the Parahyangan Catholic University’s Student presidency 2015-2016, hosted the meet-and-greet event entitled ‘Basa-Basi’ Bangkit Bersama Berantas Korupsi. The Issue was chosen in order to educate UNPAR’s students as well as commemorating the Anti-Corruption day on every 9th of December.
The event was opened by the speech from the Rector of Parahyangan Catholic University, Mangadar Situmorang, Ph.D, who stated that consistency and endurance are required to be free of corrupt acts.
The Meet-and-Greet event that was hosted in hall 2035.Bulding 2 (Faculty of Law), presented Bambang Widjojanto as a non-active commissioner for the National Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). He commenced the first session by explaining the philosophy and developments of corruption issue, in relation with KPK’s role.
In his explanation, Bambang Widjoyanto included case studies’ data, and showed a video to open students’ insights into corruption cases in Indonesia that are full of oligarchy and political cartels.
In addition to the first session, the issue of corruption was further explained by Giri Supradino, as KPK’s expert staff, and Leo Agustino, as a Corruption-observing academician. Both speakers explained the issue of corruption in public policy.
In his explanation, Leo Agustino exposed numerous political changes in Indonesia that are suspected to cause the influx of corrupt behaviour, namely the combination of presidential and multi-party systems; direct presidential and regional leaders’ election has opened the door to democratization as well as building a corrupt culture; regional autonomy has produced political dynasties bringing about corruption; and the shift from professional-based government to party-based government has caused the positions in governments to be filled with political interests.
Through this meet-and-greet, the role of educational institutions and students to fight corruption was discussed by Lalola Easter, Indonesian Corruption Watch’s activist and Bramantya Basuki, Anti-corruption activist.
The explanation from the speakers has enriched students’ knowledge. The ‘Basa-Basi” meet-and-greet event was concluded with the declaration of UNPAR’s students to support the eradication of corruption.
To quote Stephen Angkiriwang, as UNPAR student president( 2015-2016), “.. as long as corruption still runs amok, as long as youths consider it as normal, Indonesia will never find its glory.”
It is all down to us. As Bambang Widjoyanto stated, we should really think this over
“..A Clean and Glorious Indonesia is in your hand, will we care about the history of Indonesian Civilization?”
