Cardinal Suharyo decries how corruption in Indonesia is hurting the poor

Archbishop Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo leads a Christmas Mass at Jakarta Cathedral in Jakarta on Dec. 25, 2023. / Credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images

Vatican City, Aug 28, 2024 / 14:37 pm (CNA).

Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, the archbishop of Jakarta, has decried how the poor in Indonesia ultimately pay the price for the country’s endemic corruption.

In an interview with “EWTN News In Depth” in Jakarta ahead of Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Indonesia, the cardinal emphasized that despite the country’s abundant natural resources, widespread corruption continues to undermine its potential.

“If there is no corruption, Indonesia would have become a prosperous country,” Suharyo said.

“We have everything,” he said. “Natural resources — we have plenty. … But corruption destroys the ideal of becoming a prosperous nation.”

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, has long struggled with corruption in both the public and private sectors. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index consistently ranks Indonesia poorly, indicating that more than 1 in 3 Indonesians said they had paid a bribe for public services in the past year.

The cardinal pointed out that corruption in Indonesia has broader social consequences. “The corruption is so huge,” he said. “Human trafficking is becoming more widespread.” 

“Social justice for all is written in the five principles,” Suharyo added, referencing Pancasila, the foundational philosophy of Indonesia. He lamented how corruption in the country’s governance is an obstacle to achieving that ideal.

Yanuar Nugroho, an expert in sustainable development with Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning, echoed Suharyo’s concerns. 

Corruption is rampant, Nugroho told EWTN. “Every case here in Indonesia, if you trace back, then you will find corruption. The root cause … is the absence of accountability, the absence of integrity.”

Nugroho, a Catholic, reflected the need for good governance, particularly in times of crisis, pointing to the Asian financial crisis of 1998, which nearly brought the country to its knees. “When the economic crisis hit the country… it basically crumbled, as if it was built on the sands, with a very weak foundation. This is where I think the understanding about good governance slowly emerged,” he explained.

Despite these challenges, both Suharyo and Nugroho acknowledged that there is a growing awareness in Indonesia of the need to fight corruption.

The cardinal noted that while freedom of speech allows for open criticism of corruption, significant obstacles remain.

“Professors teaching in the university, they speak loudly against the corruption. But corruption continues,” he noted. “Sometimes the corruption is used for political purposes.”

According to data from the World Bank, 26 million people in Indonesia lived below the national poverty line in 2022. Corruption also exacerbates the existing inequalities between Indonesia’s rural and urban centers, diverting resources that could otherwise be used to improve infrastructure, health care, and education for the poor.

Suharyo, who regularly visits the poor rural areas within his archdiocese, has advocated for the incoming Indonesian government to make it more of a priority to address the infrastructure gaps to help the poor have better access to education and health services.

The cardinal is busy as Indonesia prepares to welcome Pope Francis. Jakarta is the first stop in the pope’s four-country visit to Southeast Asia and Oceania Sept. 2–13.

Suharyo said that Indonesians are touched by Pope Francis’ generosity in making the long trip at the age of 87. He expressed hope that Pope Francis’ visit will inspire a renewed commitment to brotherhood and compassion among Indonesians of all faiths.

A full preview of Pope Francis’ trip to Southeast Asia, including the interview with Suharyo and other Catholic leaders in the region, will air on “EWTN News In Depth” on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. ET.