Daily Lesson from Life 04 May 2009

"Indonesian anti-graft czar arrested for murder
The case has rattled efforts to tackle deeply entrenched corruption. -Mon, May 04, 2009 AFP

JAKARTA - Indonesia's powerful anti-graft czar was arrested Monday for masterminding the execution-style slaying of a businessman, in a case that has rattled efforts to tackle deeply entrenched corruption.


Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) head Antasari Azhar was declared a suspect after hours of questioning over the murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, the head of a state-owned company and a former KPK witness, Jakarta police chief Wahyono told reporters.

Zulkarnaen was shot dead in March outside a golf course on the outskirts of Jakarta. Media speculation has connected the killing to an alleged love triangle involving the two men and a 22-year-old female golf caddy.

Allegations that Azhar was the mastermind of the killing have thrown into turmoil the work of the KPK, which has claimed a series of high-profile scalps and is considered one of Indonesia's few clean institutions.


"Antasari was arrested and detained this evening," Jakarta general crimes chief Muhammad Iriawan told AFP. "The case falls under Article 340 (on premeditated murder), which carries a maximum sentence of death," Iriawan said.

Police said nine suspects had been named in connection with the murder of Zulkarnaen, the head of state firm Putra Rajawali Banjaran, who was slain in a coordinated attack by gunmen riding in vehicles.


Police said they decided to name Azhar, who is on "temporary leave" from the KPK, as a suspect after he was questioned Monday. Established in 2003, the independent KPK has developed a reputation for hard-nosed corruption fighting and has helped to boost the anti-graft credentials of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Despite recent gains, global watchdog Transparency International rates Indonesia among the world's most corrupt countries."

This is a shocking development! A big set up for clean government in Indonesia if he were to be found guilty.

Lessons for me are:

1. it is not easy to be a morally right people ALL ROUND! You can fight corruption of others and you still have to guard against yourself from getting corrupted by other earthly desires like sex and other temptations (assuming it is indeed a so-called love-triangle saga!);

2. that is also why those who succeeded in maintain a morally right life throughout his or her life are so exceptional and so deserving of our admiration. There will be sacrifice for those with weak minds. For the strong and focused minded people, it is just the right thing to do! That is the difference - one who constantly need to struggle and exert efforts to do the right things, vs. one who genuinely believed in doing the right things without any struggle or discomfort! That is what we want to aspire to be!;

3. May the investigation provide a clean result with total transparency so that the public can believe that justice is served without fear or favor! It is a challenging situation but it is also the best opportunity to show that 'anyone accused of wrong doing will be investigated, brought to the laws, and judged by the judges. The public and wound-be offenders will realized that you do not hide anything.

May the accused by given a fair trial and that he be absolved of any responsibility if it is proven so! And justice for ALL.