Page 131 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

minimize any temptation to sell their influence, and instituted harsh jail terms for those caught
taking bribes. By the time Lee stepped down as Prime Minister in 1990s, Singapore had gone
from being one of the more corrupt countries on the world to one of the least.

President Sirleaf’s commitment to tackling corruption even extended to suspending her son
along with 46 other senior government officials, for failing to disclose his assets to Liberia’s
anti-corruption officials. Her political maneuvering appears to be an incredibly effective way
to demonstrate to the citizens and hardworking business people of Liberia that she and her
government are taking combat to corruption seriously.

President Jahjaga, by contrast, was not a known figure prior to her appointment. Knowing that
corruption was perceived as the root of all evils. After taking her office, Jahjaga demonstrated
that she both recognized this problem and planned on tackling it head on. She announced the
establishment of a presidential anti-corruption council. The council coordinates the work and
activities of the main stakeholders fighting against corruption.

118 I Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia