The following two charts plots the position of Indonesia (first chart)

and all countries of Southeast Asia (second chart)

Indonesia is the red diamond.

After faulty starts as the country struggled to get an anti corruption

strategy into place, progress has been steady but solid since 2004
when the KPK got going and SBY got into the presidency.

From third worst in 1999, it is now half way up the global pecking
order, all without recourse to extrajudicial antics or laws that violate
basic human rights and habeas corpus.

Even so most Indonesians will still proclaim the mantra that the
country is “the most corrupt on earth”. I am beginning to think they
are becoming a nation of drama queens!!!
 Indonesia’s progress is clear since 2004
CPI 2011 3.0

CPI 2010 2.8

CPI 2009 2.8

CPI 2008 2.6

CPI 2007 2.3

CPI 2006 2.4

CPI 2005 2.2

CPI 2004 2.0

CPI 2003 1.9

CPI 2002 1.9

CPI 2001 1.9

CPI 2000 1.7

CPI 1999 1.7

“When you fight corruption, corruption fights you” Nuhu

Ribadu, former Anti Corruption Chief in Nigeria
 Indonesia and its Southeast Asian Neighbours
Viet Phil Cam
Sin Bru Mal Thai CPI 2011 Timor Mya
CPI 2010 Ind
CPI 2009
CPI 2008
CPI 2007
Laos
CPI 2006

CPI 2005

CPI 2004

CPI 2003
CPI 2002

CPI 2001
CPI 2000
CPI 1999

CPI 1998
Data is from annual editions of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception
Index. (All countries are grey dots except those identified in colour. Those on the
right end of each line are perceived as the worst while those on the left are
perceived as the least corrupt. While we may all sniff at elements of this index, it
does provide a useful way to map trends over time.

While perceptions may differ from reality, I am sure they also track reality too.

Malaysia is one to watch. It made some progress early in the Badawi era, but has
ben slipping since Najib took over. A continued downfall will see “Bersih 3”
whenever it comes gather more energy from public frustration, especially after the
filthy election this year. (I believe these elections will be the dirtiest in Malaysian
history if Najib is to survive, and I believe he is a street fighter, not a gentleman like
Badawi).

Also watch Thailand, especially if Thaksin gets to play an upfront role over the next
2 years. Also of course the Royal succession will be important.

Indonesia’s biggest threat is a Bakrie presidency in 2014.