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JAKARTA : Worrying times for Indonesia's Members of Parliament as the country's anti-graft agency turns the screw on the legislative assembly.
Five lawmakers have been arrested for corruption in recent months, and observers said more will be implicated as the dirty dealings in the House are unravelled.
Bulyan Royan is the latest Indonesian Member of Parliament arrested for corruption. He was detained with more than US$75,000 cash in hand - allegedly a payout for the transport ministry's patrol boat procurement, which he approved.
Four of his fellow lawmakers have been arrested since March this year. Each of them allegedly received bribes for either helping companies win government tender projects or easing the passage of bills submitted by ministries.
Observers said these corrupt practices are rampant in the legislative assembly.
"Indonesia's parliament is the epicentre for corruption. The 5 to 6 members arrested make up only a small part of corruption that is deeply rooted in the House," said Denny Indrayana, an Indonesia's anti-corruption campaigner.
"These practices are not new. They've only been uncovered recently. I believe there will be more arrests because they have done these political deals for a long time. Now it's the time to reap the benefits," said Sebastian Salang from Indonesia's Parliament Watch, a civic group that monitors the parliament.
This is the first time in recent history that so many of Indonesia's Members of Parliament have been arrested for corruption. One factor for this success is the use of wiretaps by the anti-graft agency - made legal just recently. Suspected lawmakers' calls were monitored, which eventually led to their arrests. More intense monitoring is expected.
Salang noted that lawmakers are now raising campaign funds in preparation for next year's parliamentary election, and some are resorting to illegal means.
"Indonesian politics has become very expensive. Those who want to be considered for 2009 must have deep pockets," said Salang.
For anti-corruption campaigners like Indrayana, the problem poses a greater danger to Indonesia's fledgling democracy.
"Democracy and corruption never walk hand-in-hand; they are sworn enemies. Indonesia's democracy will die prematurely if corruption is not seriously fought," said Indrayana.
Eradicating corruption was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's main focus when he took office. With about a year left in his term, he is expected to instruct his graft busters not to release their foot from the accelerator. - CNA /ls
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