Old Game or New: Corruption in Today's Indonesia

Corruption pervades Indonesia. But among a host of concerns, should the elimination or even the reduction of corruption be top priority for the Indonesian government and international donors? The three essays in this Special Report address this question, as well as outline the sources of Indonesian corruption and some strategies for combatting it. Nono Makarim argues that donors should exert more pressure on the Indonesian government and not hesitate to wield their ultimate weapon of withholding aid. Robert Hornick maintains that in a world of limited resources, other goals, such as economic growth and stability, should come first. William Cole discusses the legacy of Suharto’s “New Order,” and asserts that strong political will is needed to uproot this entrenched system. All the essayists express the hope that middle-class support for the anti-corruption effort will emerge, as has occurred in other Asian countries.