Nasdem Chief Raises Concern Over Corruption

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The general chairman of National Democrat Party (NasDem), Surya Paloh, expressed concern over corruption in the country that still continued despite reform and has even spread to almost all sectors.

"Corruption has not vanished but has even spread. It has happened not only in the centers of power but has entered into the social system. Today we are practicing democracy with apprehension," he said here on Sunday before thousands of party cadres at a roll call for readiness ahead of the legislative elections on April 9.

Paloh said besides corruption the Indonesian nation is also facing demoralization, adding as a nation Indonesia has often been beaten in competition with other countries.

"We are still weak with regard to national discipline, national spirit and solidarity. That is our weakness," he said.

Due to the issues competition in Indonesia has so far been transactional and pragmatic. To improve the conditions he said Indonesia must first have a more visionary national leader.

"A national leader who has strong leadership and who can lead in a clear direction," he said. Paloh said Indonesian people must have spirit and desire to consolidate their common ideal of creating a just and prosperous nation.

He said to achieve that changes must be made so that Indonesia would become an advanced nation and free of corruption.

And "restoration would strengthen our ideal and capabilities.  We wish to strengthen the system again including our ideology. That is what NasDem means by restoration," he said explaining about the party's slogan.

He admitted that conducting restoration was not an easy job as it would take energy, time and even, if necessary, life.

"That is why we have deliberately established a political party that we named NasDem. This is our tool of struggle to make changes in Indonesia," he said.

On the occasion Paloh appealed to all party cadres totaling 16 millions to be resolved to build a better, prosperous and more respected nation.

"We may not just remain idle. We must not talk only but we must improve all the systems that exist," he said. (*/DWA)