Indonesia Sees Slight Improvement in 2024 Corruption Perception Index

Transparency International Indonesia (TII) released the country’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The CPI score for Indonesia increased by three points to 37, ending a two-year period of stagnation at 34.

Factors Influencing the CPI Increase

The notable increase in the CPI score can be attributed to the inclusion of a new factor introduced by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This indicator assesses the reasonableness of companies making additional payments or unrecorded bribes.

The improvement in the CPI boosted Indonesia’s ranking to 99th out of 180 countries. However, it’s worth noting that this score still falls short of the highest achieved in 2019, which stood at 40.

Expert Analysis and Criticisms

Agus Sunaryanto, a researcher at Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), expressed cautious optimism about the CPI score increase. He suggests that the increment is not substantial enough to conclusively indicate improved anti-corruption efforts in the country. This is particularly concerning given the upcoming post-political year and the introduction of new government policies that could be vulnerable to corruption.

ICW’s recent study on the extractive and renewable energy sectors under the Prabowo-Gibran government highlighted that companies in this sector often form strong ties with local governments and officials. This relationship allows them to secure business permits easily. Sunaryanto elaborated on this dynamic, stating, “Local governments and the executive provide extractive permits, company owners are given the red carpet by the legislature, and the judiciary sides with companies if the public cries out in court about the environmental impacts they experience.”

ICW’s 2025 Projections

ICW projects that efforts to eradicate corruption will continue to regress in 2025. This pessimistic view is based on three primary reasons:

Lack of Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Initiatives

Throughout 2024 and projected into 2025, no systematic anti-corruption program initiatives or policies have been implemented by the government. Sunaryanto elaborated on this point, noting, “Efforts to eradicate corruption seem to be selective in dealing with parties who are at the center of corruption cases and are important officials.”

Allegations of Corruption in Key Sectors

Several high-profile alleged corruption cases have been highlighted by ICW. One of these involves Bank Indonesia’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, suspected of being linked to the Governor of Bank Indonesia and various members of the People’s Representative Council (DPR). Another case involves the construction of a railway line at the Ministry of Transportation and alleged misuse of funds to finance the 2019 presidential campaign of Joko Widodo.

Additional allegations concern corruption in the procurement of goods at a member of the DPR’s official residence, reportedly involving Indra Iskandar, Secretary General of the DPR.

Resistance to Strengthening Anti-Corruption Regulations

ICW also notes that there is no clear desire from the government to accelerate the eradication of corruption by reinforcing regulations, such as the Asset Confiscation Bill and the Currency Restriction Bill. Sunaryanto argued, “ICW views that the main reason behind the reluctance to strengthen anti-corruption laws is because this regulation will threaten the stability of corrupt public officials.”

The Path Forward

While the slight uptick in the CPI score offers a sign of incremental progress, the road ahead in Indonesia’s fight against corruption remains challenging. Addressing the systemic issues and adopting comprehensive anti-corruption measures are crucial steps toward achieving a more transparent and just society.

As Indonesia moves forward into 2025, it is imperative that the government actively work on implementing robust anti-corruption initiatives and strengthen existing regulatory frameworks. Moreover, fostering a more accountable and participatory political environment can play a significant role in curbing corruption.

Continued vigilance and public awareness campaigns will help ensure that the gains made are sustained and that the fight against corruption remains a top priority for policymakers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Indonesia has made a modest step towards reducing corruption as evidenced by the slight increase in its 2024 CPI score. However, the path to eradicating corruption is long and fraught with challenges. The inclusion of new indicators like the WEF factor is a positive move, but sustained and targeted efforts are required to make significant strides.

As citizens, it is crucial to remain engaged, hold leaders accountable, and advocate for stronger anti-corruption measures. Together, we can work towards a more transparent and just Indonesia.

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