Indonesia Regional Representativ Council Arrested on Graft Allegation
This time, the Chairman of Regional Representative Council, IG was declared suspect of bribery and put behind bars few days ago.
He was suspected for taking a bribe from a sugar company, whose president was also caught.
This is not the first time, Indonesia lawmakers werre thrown in jail for similar crimes and they won't be the last.
My opinion was based because of the fact that gaining a post of lawmaker in Indonesia is not free. In fact, it is very expensive one. Candidates must spend heavily for campaigns and also to get supports from others.
Many of the candidates are not rich enough to fund all of them from their own pockets. The common solution is to borrow from banks. The debt amount can be so astonishing high that can not be paid from their monthly salaries as a lawmaker.
That's why this case happens because to pay the debt, they often make a bargain with businessman whose business may benefit from having someone at legislative institution. They trade their power with loosened law that take sides to the businessman.
IG has been allegedly linked to the import quota. He was accused to give more sugar import quota to the company.
It is lucky that Indonesia has Corruption Eradication Commission as the watchdog. However, this will means there will be other similar cases in future, or near future.
It is for sure.