CORRUPTION: A BETRAYAL OF THE NATION’S TRUSTEE
(Reflection on the Commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day, December 9)
By: Dr. Ali Aminulloh, M.Pd.I., ME
Every December 9th, the world calendar marks International Anti-Corruption Day (IAC). This is not just a ceremonial commemoration; it is an annual reminder agreed upon by the world through the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2003. Why a special day? Because corruption is not simply theft of money, but a collective betrayal of the promise of prosperity and justice. It is a chronic disease that robs millions of people of their basic rights to decent education, guaranteed health care, and adequate infrastructure. For Indonesia, this commemoration is a moment for deep introspection: How serious are we about fighting this invisible enemy that is destroying the future of our children and grandchildren?
Unite Action: When Integrity Migrates to the Digital Realm
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is proclaiming a bold theme: “Unite Action, Eradicate Corruption!” This call reflects the reality that corruption has now migrated. While corruption was once limited to cash bribes in desk drawers, it now roams the digital space. E-procurement projects, budget data manipulation, and even technology abuse have become new modes.
Therefore, united action means total synergy: Law enforcement must be digitally savvy, the government must ensure system transparency, and the public must be critical of every online transaction. Fighting corruption today is fighting a highly adaptive, systemic crime.
The Tragedy of Scores Below 50: A Mirror of Global Justice
On the global stage, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) issued by Transparency International serves as a barometer of national morale. Indonesia’s CPI score, which remains below 50, is a painful red flag. This score is not a dead point, but rather a reflection of the perception that our public sector remains vulnerable. On the other hand, we see countries like Denmark and New Zealand enjoying high scores, where civil servants are paid decent wages, the law is enforced impartially, and most importantly, a culture of integrity is deeply rooted. Compare this to countries at the lower end of the CPI—places where corruption not only disrupts the economy but also destroys the country, fueling conflict and famine. Corruption, in essence, is a killer of development.
From Senayan to Remote Villages: Who Betrays the People?
Corruption data from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) shows who most frequently betrays their mandate. The most widespread corruption occurs in sectors with significant power and minimal oversight. We see legislative officials implicated in bribery cases during budget approval, executives involved in mark-ups on procurement projects, and even individuals in the judiciary trading justice. Why does this happen? Because we are still trapped in High Cost Politics; positions are bought with large sums of money during elections and repaid through corruption while in office. This is exacerbated by a patrimonial culture that views public positions as an inheritance that can be inherited or traded. Corruption in Indonesia is an organized crime that has damaged the social and economic order.
Questioning Morality: Corruption in the Scales of Heaven
From the perspective of global ethics and religious teachings, corruption is the most reprehensible crime. Islam firmly calls corruption betrayal (Ghulul) and consuming wealth as vanity.
“And do not devour one another’s property unjustly, nor bring it to the judge, so that you may consume a portion of it sinfully, while you know it.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 188)
This verse not only prohibits stealing, but also prohibits attempts to legitimize illicit wealth through bribery of judges or abuse of power. Corruptors not only violate state law but also violate the sacred oath they swore. Religious teachings emphasize the importance of Justice (Al-‘Adl) and Transparency in state governance—principles that should be the foundation for building a clean bureaucracy.
Reflection: Integrity Begins at the Starting Line
Eradicating corruption cannot rely solely on sting operations (OTT). Corruption is a cultural battle that we must win at the individual level. Corruption always begins with the loss of one thing: a sense of sufficiency (Qana’ah).
When someone feels that their halal sustenance is insufficient, they will justify taking what is It’s forbidden. This is the essence of our personal reflection:
1. Trustworthiness: View every job, no matter how small, as a trust from God and the people, not as an opportunity to enrich oneself.
2. Refuse Small Things: Dare to say NO to small gratuities or seemingly trivial extortion. Because major crimes always begin with small moral compromises.
3. Educating the Nation: We must integrate the values of honesty and responsibility from an early age. There’s no point in producing an intelligent generation if they lack integrity.
Let us use this commemoration of IPR as a momentum to undertake our greatest Cultural Jihad: transforming a permissive culture into an anti-corruption culture. Unite in action not only within the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), but in our hearts and daily actions. This nation awaits knights who dare to say: “I am not corrupt, and I am against corruption!”
Indonesia, December 8, 2025
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