Grafting away
Keeping up this blog is a matter of discipline. On days like today, with a summery breeze on a quiet Sunday afternoon, tending to the garden which, this being the tropics, needs little attention, seems the nicest option. But needs must.
So here are a few links to the latest on the war on corruption.
Indonesia getting tough on graft
SBY has promised "shock therapy" in fighting corruption; ordinary Indonesians and foreign investigations would have to go through Indonesia's courts ...
British Arms Maker Accused of Bribing Tutut
A British arms manufacturer has been accused of paying a bribe of more than £16 million (Rp283 billion) to Tutut Suharto to win a deal to sell tanks to Indonesia.
Indonesia investigates Soeharto family over British arms deal
Indonesia's powerful anti-graft officials, the Corruption Eradication Commission, said on Saturday they were investigating the eldest daughter of ex-president Soeharto over claims a British arms firm paid her £16 million over a deal to sell tanks. This is the first inquiry into the inner circle of the former dictator, who has escaped trial for massive graft due to ill health.
Tax officials feel heat over graft charges
A recent investigation by The Jakarta Post revealed that extortion by tax officers, especially with regard to the manipulation of the ministry's tax tribunal and tax refund procedures, remained rampant.
Graft spirals out of control at tax office
by Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post (not online)
Few people could afford to buy the latest BMW 5 car at the age of 27, no matter how hard they work. But, Amien, not his real name, can buy one easily. He's a public official in one of the country's most corrupt institutions: the tax office.
Officially, Amien, who has been employed as a Jakarta tax official for the past six years since graduating from the state-run accounting academy STAN, receives a monthly take-home salary of about Rp 3 million (about US$328). But he can easily make an additional Rp 500 million per year without even working for it.
Graft unit takes aim at corrupt tax officers
Responding to reports of rampant corruption in the tax office, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has lambasted the finance ministry's Directorate General of Taxation, urging it to crack down on the offenders, particularly tax officers who made deals with and extorted taxpayers.
Aceh governor thrown in slammer
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) tossed Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh in prison on Tuesday, pending his trial for his alleged involvement in a graft case in 2002.
And there's more, lots more.
Tomorrow, I have to go to Singapore to get the paperwork completed for my new work permit. If all goes to plan, I should be home in the evening. But the only way this will happen is by paying an 'extra' fee at the embassy there for an express service. I'll also have to pay a 'fine' of $20 dollars at Soekarno-Hatta airport here because I'll have overstayed my business visa by one day.
I hope it's another nice day.
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