September 2nd, 2009 President Suharto Fights Money Laundering
Foreign investors approached President Suharto, the leader of Indonesia, last week with their concerns over what is happening in his country. Allegedly, military leaders in the country, through corrupt manners, have been involved in bribery and money laundering. When money is gained by illegal or corrupt means it needs to be ‘cleaned’. What is happening in Indonesia is a case of one crime, leading to another crime, and affecting the not only the people involved, but the innocent citizens of the country.
Foreign business companies have long been made to bribe the officials into letting them do business in Indonesia. Those officials, then needing an explanation for the large sums of money, have been involving the Indonesian banking system by laundering the money through them. And now, as many companies and financial institutions are becoming more diligent, some due to ethical reasons and some due to the legal ramifications of not participating in the diligence, they are refusing to conduct business with companies or countries that are proven to be corrupt.
This has the effect of an economic backslide as the when the business is taken out of the country, companies close, and people lose their jobs. This is exactly what the President is up against, as he is known for being an ethical, a moral and an honest leader. The problem that he faces however, is that is alone in his country, as the military has entrenched in their ways, giving gifts, or money or favors in order to either get what they want, or what they state as — taking care of friends and family.
It is an odd twist however, as taking care of those we care about is a good thing, a noble thing. What they do not seem to notice is that they are doing it to the detriment of others. The people of the country are suffering. President Suharto addressed the Parliament last week, and pledged to fight the corruption to the end. He sees this as his mission, as the corruption not only harms his countrymen, women and children but it also taints him as a man, brings into question his honest nature, and puts his country in bad light in the eyes of the rest of the world.
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