Page 133 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

That is what GOPAC has always fight for. A strong civil partnership in the fight against corruption
is important and for parliamentarians, strong collaboration between parliamentarians and
their constituents is something that makes the term partnership even important. This kind
of partnership is part of GOPAC’s program: the Participation of Society. We believe that by
involving those who are affected by a decision, in a decision-making process as well as in law-
making process, we guard the value of democracy itself.

To conclude my remark, allow me to quote Bung Hatta’s statement, Indonesia’s first Vice
President, regarding corruption. He once said that it is very dangerous when corruption turns
into a culturally accepted practice. We believe that sustainable efforts to combat corruption
cannot be done merely by law enforcement and prosecution of the crime alone. It needs a
comprehensive approach that also addresses the root causes of corruption.

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