The author is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. Research for this article is part of the author's evolving doctoral thesis on “Triggering Institutional Change: The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission”, supervised by Prof. Howard Dick and Prof. Tim Lindsey. The author conducted semi-structured interviews with more than 60 decision makers, NGO representatives, and other experts on anti-corruption reforms in Jakarta in 2009.
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Special Issue Article
AGAINST THE ODDS: ANTI-CORRUPTION REFORM IN INDONESIA
Article first published online: 25 JAN 2012
DOI: 10.1002/pad.623
Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Issue
Public Administration and Development
Special Issue: RETRIBUTION, RESTITUTION, OR A CULTURE OF REJECTION – RE-ASSESSING APPROACHES TO CORRUPTION
Volume 32, Issue 1, pages 38–48, February 2012
Additional Information
How to Cite
Schütte, S. A. (2012), AGAINST THE ODDS: ANTI-CORRUPTION REFORM IN INDONESIA. Public Admin. Dev., 32: 38–48. doi: 10.1002/pad.623
Publication History
- Issue published online: 25 JAN 2012
- Article first published online: 25 JAN 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- anti-corruption commissions;
- institutional change;
- Indonesia
SUMMARY
The discourse on anti-corruption approaches during the last decade has been shaped by two extremes: those who prescribe specialized anti-corruption bodies as a remedy in any context and those who consider general governance reform a prerequisite before a specialized anti-corruption agency can function effectively. This article argues that the dichotomized discourse does not do reality justice and presents a “good enough” story from Indonesia. The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi [KPK]) was established in a low-governance environment and, although applying the three-pronged Hong Kong strategy, bears considerable differences to the Independent Commission against Corruption Hong Kong's structure and powers. Despite not following the prescribed sequencing or models, the KPK has brought previously untouchable high-profile perpetrators to jail, has recovered stolen assets, and enjoys a much higher degree of public trust and support than the other Indonesian law enforcement agencies. The Indonesian case demonstrates once more the importance of “local ownership” and public demand for sustainable change. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.