The Moral Dimensions of Economy: The Fine Lin Between Crime and Our Socio-Cultural (Dr. M. Agung Rahmadi, M.Si.)

"The Moral Dimensions of Economy: The Fine Line Between Crime and Our Socio-Cultural Fabric."

The Allure of Criminality in Contemporary Society

In today’s world, the temptation to engage in criminal behavior is increasingly seductive. Individuals are caught in a stark dichotomy between quality and existence, akin to the steep slope leading to the summit of a mountain. This phenomenon is largely influenced by the lifestyles showcased by social media influencers, who present themselves with the flair of ministers despite possessing skills comparable to those of unskilled laborers, or, in some cases, lacking any competencies altogether, all in pursuit of popularity.

Despite the façade of sophistication, these individuals often wear the unmistakable "face of folly." This psychological distinction between the intelligent and the foolish is evident, revealing that behind their ostentatious display lies financial backing derived from illicit activities such as prostitution and other forms of crime.

Consider the vendors of textiles, betta fish, the unemployed, and the uneducated who now adopt airs akin to high-ranking officials. Their low-quality backgrounds contrast sharply with their extravagant lifestyles, inevitably leading to the normalization of illicit enterprises, such as investment scams masquerading as legitimate ventures to build hotels, airports, ports, toll roads, or brokerage firms. With merely a modicum of training in multi-level marketing (MLM) or sales, individuals are drawn into drug trafficking, armed with only the experience of participating in security training or youth organizations, all in an attempt to emulate a criminal underworld.

The pressing question remains: how long can they sustain this facade?

The government must impose stringent penalties and pursue these deceivers before their behavior evolves into a psychological and social pathology of alarming proportions. Such conduct is profoundly detrimental to others, undermining economic stability, societal morals, and posing a significant threat to the nation when illicit money becomes a tolerated cultural norm. The enjoyment derived from these gains comes at the expense of those who suffer and are wronged.

There can be no national progress without the production of goods. These deceivers merely engage in "hallucinations of production," offering goods and services far inferior to usury, which merely exchanges money for money. They effectively destroy the true productive capital of commodities, leaving legitimate entrepreneurs vulnerable and contributing to national deficits due to widespread fraud.

"Dispose of waste in the trash bin, and do not allow it to spill out into society."