Why KPK is Doomed to Fail

I AM not sure why, but I am sure that we as a human are somehow addicted with the tale of heroism. Somehow we are obsessed with and adoring the tale of David versus Goliath – whenever the weak take on the strong. And we do not mind if the weak end up making blunders and being the loser, all that matter is that they have shown a good dose of heroism. Just consider the final scene of movies like 300 or The Last Samurai just to name a few.

In other words, we have the tendency to appreciate heroism more than results. And predictably enough, these addiction is pretty clear in how we see things (or problems) in our daily life. It is clear, for sure, when one follows closely the anti-corruption debate in Indonesia (including in how we response to the proposed revision for KPK bill) and the high hope we place on KPK (Corruption Eradication Committee).

IT is clear that most of us were very optimistic with what KPK can (unrealistically) achieve. Our basic assumption was given enough political support and legal-protection, KPK would someday (and somehow) manage to eradicate corruption from our country. Therefore, the logic goes, crafting the right KPK bill would ensure the existence of the panacea for Indonesia’s endemic, wide-ranging, and structural corruption problems.

However noble their intention might be, all that matters is the end-result. And with all due respect, it is unfortunate to say that the end-result for our anti-corruption prescription will never be enough for Indonesia, I believe. It’s all down to one fundamental flaw: our basic assumption in regards with the nature of corruption.

We believe in a widely held view (and naivety) that corruption is an exclusive problem commons in our government and several other institutions. We believe that it is disease, some sort of bugs common in our society, but repairable for sure – as with other bugs. And for such isolated problem, an isolated solution would surely be enough. Therefore, empowering KPK would provide a panacea for our holy war against corruption.

Unfortunately for us, what if corruption is not an exclusive problem? What if it is not bugs, rather a feature in our society? What if it is not something isolated in some sections of our society, but rather widespread across this heterogenic-nation? In short, what if corruption is a structural and systemic, rather than an isolated issue?

It is simply unbelievable how we missed something that has already been so crystal clear, that corruption is endemic in Indonesia and deeply-embedded in our mindset and culture. Together with collusion and nepotism, it is somewhat resembles part of our way of life. It is something that we have to live with for the foreseeable future.

This is not to say that I am against anti-corruption efforts. It is just I am deeply concerned with the failure of our society to recognize the root of the problem: that is our society! Empowering an institution like KPK for combating corruption in some segments of our corrupt society will never be good enough. For sure, KPK is important, but it will never deliver a decisive blow and stop corrupt culture from reemerging and re-entrenched themselves.

THIS brings us back to human’s addiction with heroism. We love it! Yet each time we paid close attention to the heroic act, we tend to ignore the most important ingredients for success; that is the rational analysis to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of our acts. This disappointing habit can be clearly seen in how we set our assumptions and proposed crafting solutions in the fight against corruption.

We love it each time KPK stands their ground and fight structural pressure – such as during series of cicak vs buaya (lizard versus crocodile) battles. Yet each time we also failed to acknowledge and appreciate the bigger context of our problem. We failed to understand that it is a systemic problem and that KPK is not our messiah.

Our education system should lead us into triumph, for sure. Yet we failed to notice this. We failed to build anti-corruption culture within our education system. Many of the teachers are corrupt and so does many (if not the majority) of the students. And without any systemic solution that targets the roots of the problem, corruption will be able to live and keep reinventing themselves in one way or another.

In another words, maybe KPK is winning the battle (though I am not convinced), but it is undeniable that we are currently losing the war. Maybe KPK is winning, but it is fighting a defensive battle. Whatever the outcome of the battle, the best thing it can get is just to hold its ground and survive. Considering the nature of corruptions in Indonesia, only fools would hold on to the hope that one day KPK would be able to overcome that problem.

KPK is more like a mascot rather than a panacea. For me, KPK for Indonesians is important for two main reasons. First, its existence is important mainly to symbolize our commitment to fight corruption back. It is an embodiment of our widely shared commitment to make this country’s governing body professional. Secondly, we need (and love) heroes and KPK is there as a personification of those figure.

It is not necessarily those effective, but who cares? All we want is just to see some heroic acts. And how could we notice that anyway? After all, we are more of a violent than scientific society. We are obsessed with revolution and demonstration – all sorts of heroism – rather than learning and thinking. We are obsessed with getting on to the street and chanting ‘pro-people slogan’ while having limited to no idea of what it is. In short, our intention is noble, we have a good-dose of energy and enthusiasm, yet shallow intellectualism I am afraid.

I believe that KPK is currently on a long march to the (avoidable) defeat unless the structural side of Indonesia’s corruption problem is addressed soon enough – unfortunately, it can never be a fast process to address something structural. And our failure to address it all comes down to one long overdue problem: failure to acknowledge that this problem is a cultural one, that it is not endemic in the government, but in the whole nation.

Written by: Zidny Ilman. The writer is the coordinator of Indonesia Berbicara's Pusat Kajian (Research Center).