Corruption and Public Morals
Everyday we read and hear comments about issues of morality in Indonesia. One of the most frequent comments is that the morals of our children are being destroyed by pornography and gambling. However, only a relatively few people are exposed to pornography and gambling, and usually it is by choice. Pornography and gambling are present in all countries. What is the truth?

Really, pornography and gambling are merely a minor issue compared to the real enemy of civic morals and public welfare. What other activities is Indonesia famous for besides badminton? Yes, corruption, we are included at the top of the list of corrupt countries!

How does corruption compare to other moral issues like pornography and gambling?
In every country we have pornography and gambling and we always will. Of course we have to oppose and control pornography and gambling, however, if we open our eyes wider these moral issues only affect a relatively small proportion of the population, usually only those people who want to participate. However, corruption affects the whole population (want it or not). And, how will it be possible to control pornography and gambling if corruption continues? Criminals only have to "pay a bribe" and they are back in business again.

A few days ago on Metro TV (Jakarta) they had a discussion program about the problems associated with pornography and the compare of the program asked one of the panel members, which problem is more important, corruption or pornography? The answer given was "they are of the same importance". This answer only went to prove that the panel member herself didn't understand the implications of the issues.

Our children learn morals from us, not from what we try to teach them but from what we do. If we ourselves are not honest or we show respect for corruptors (thieves) there is no use us trying to tell our children to be honest. This seems to be the major issue relating to the public perception of learning morals. What really undermines and destroys the moral fibre of our citizens are the continuing bad examples that we witness every day. For instance, corruptors who steal tens of billions of Rupiah (millions of US$) are continually being released by the legal system, however, someone who steals 500,000 Rupiah (about US$60.00) because he is hungry gets a beating and goes straight to jail. What does this teach our children? If you are going to steal, steal "big time" (a lot of money) and you will probably be freed to enjoy a sizeable remainder of the money after you have paid all the bribes.

Finally, with corruption everybody loses including the people who commit the corruption because even though they maybe rich they still have to live in a community which is unhealthy and unsafe as a result of their corruption.