Fraud and Deceit Have Become a Culture Threatening the Character of the Indonesian Nation
By,Jacob Ereste
Freelance Jaournalist
Indeed, if fraudulent practices are not corrected and strongly criticized, they will become a national character. As a result, corruption, allowed to flourish and proliferate, has become a prominent and alarming culture in Indonesia. This is because corruption in Indonesia is considered outdated if it simply seeks to steal project funds or government-allocated budgets through the procurement of goods or educational and office equipment, or uniforms, or social assistance or large infrastructure projects that cost a lot of money but are not truly urgent. For example, several airports, high-speed railways, and the Indonesian capital city, which were forced through, seem so forced, that they raise many suspicious questions.
A severely flawed law, from its drafting and deliberations in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), which was purportedly approved before the bill was passed, has become a new way to accumulate illegitimate funds, as seen in various cases of illegal businesses, narcotics, cooking oil, fuel, and even plantation permits that could encroach on forests. The modus operandi of neglect has all been used as a means of accumulating illegitimate funds.
Another form of fraud based on the abuse of power or position is the modern buying and selling of positions. The promotion of rank and payment of a fee may not directly harm the people or the state, but it has undermined ethics, morals, and ethics in managing the country, commercializing it for personal gain and that of one’s group.
Similarly, the idea of selling sea sand—or even islands to foreigners, let alone foreign countries—is so barbaric and reckless that it deserves to be condemned by all people down to seven generations.
Such is the nature of the damage occurring in this country. It is not perpetrated by fools or foolhardy individuals, but rather by those considered intellectual, already wealthy, yet still greedy and ignorant of the ethics, morals, and noble character taught and guided by religion. Even when they take office, they all swear an oath in the name of God, but after taking their oath and being inaugurated, the minds of Indonesian officials now immediately search for opportunities to increase their wealth as quickly as possible. Otherwise, not only will their families grumble about their failure to enrich themselves, but also about their success in distributing various projects that could quickly generate large sums of money, not only for their families but also for all their cronies and supporters, from volunteers to friends who previously supported them.
Therefore, the culture of collective corruption in Indonesia has far exceeded that of some of the world’s most corrupt countries. In Indonesia, the model of cheering crowds—moral supporters—has become a trend in itself, with a number of buzzers supporting the establishment of a graceful and charming image. Therefore, fake titles and various forms of island accessories have become part of the current cultural model in business and political environments, where they are traded like legal and judicial commodities.
The result is not only confusion and stress for the people, but also a strong current that leads them into a vortex of power that can be exercised based on wealth.
Therefore, money politics is merely the first sign of various fraudulent practices that are considered elegant. Everything is paid for—including legal action and the threat of imprisonment for the deceit that has become part of the culture of corruption, bribery, and abuse of office and power. What is happening now is that corruptors themselves are not just forming groups, but rather syndicates as powerful as mafia gangs, as fellow corruptors can hold each other hostage.
Even at the end of the corruptor’s actions, which have gone far beyond the current post-congregational culture, some are able to manage the corruptors comfortably by providing a certain amount of tribute at certain times. So, the link between corruptors, law enforcement officers, and corruption eradication officers appears to be building a new coalition—mutualism—to protect each other, even maintaining, so that corrupt practices can continue unabated and smoothly. Because of this, some corruptors appear to possess special powers, consistently failing to be apprehended and immediately sent to Nusa Kambangan.
Like smugglers, dealers, and law enforcement officers tasked with eradicating them, how could they possibly be involved if not for their utterly corrupt ethics, morals, and ethics? Prison officers can live a life of luxury thanks to concessions granted to drug dealers to control their businesses from within prisons or correctional facilities. After all, the detention facilities for certain inmates can be made more luxurious than the homes of most people in this country.**
Banten, September 23, 2025
—-
