Judhi Kristiantini; Preventing Corruption Through Women
Translator
Editor
4 January 2019 17:08 WIB
‘I am a Woman against Corruption’ (SPAK) began to take form in 2013. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) asked the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ), where Judhi worked, to seek ways to promote anti-corruption behaviors.
At the time, according to Judhi, corruption was only discussed in specific venues, such as classrooms and seminars attended by legal experts and activists. Most of the times they only discussed cases that had already occurred. Judhi was of the opinion, corruption in practice that had made it to the public eye were the final outcome of small actions the corrupt people had enacted in the past.
Also, there were not many movements that focused on preventing corruption. The corruption perception index, formulated by Transparency International, tended to be stagnant for Indonesia. In 2017, Indonesia scored 37 out of a scale of 0-100, as in 2016, and just one point higher than in 2015.
Further, a survey the KPK conducted in Solo and Yogyakarta in 2012-2013 showed that only four percent of parents instilled in their children the importance of honesty and not being corrupt.
Judhi came to realize that corruption was not merely a legal matter, it was also a social one. She and her colleagues decided they wanted to conduct inclusive campaigns easily understood by a lay public that did not have to introduce complicated discussions about laws and regulations. They launched campaigns that focused on preventive behaviors.
Judhi and her colleagues also decided to target their activities towards women, considering women easily influence their family members. At the time, corruption tended to be looked upon as a “male” issue.
In April 2014, the SPAK movement was launched, alongside the KPK’s launch of its corruption prevention campaign springboarding on the family unit. Judi continues to be the driving force behind SPAK.
Discussions and intensive training sessions were held, but using a relaxed approach and simple explanations— with examples taken from daily life. For instance, whether using the office car for personal errands or cutting in a queue constituted corrupt behavior or not.
They also used card games. SPAK has at least six card games, including Majo (match five) and Semai (the nine values). Majo introduces the practices of corruption, while Semai introduces anti-corruption values.
Judhi told how Semai was created at the request of agents, who had trouble explaining to children about corrupt behavior. The concepts of modesty, perseverance, courage, cooperation, discipline, caring, responsibility, honesty, and justice are considered abstract. The Semai Cards present examples of events that have these values.
Judhi and SPAK’s journey faced challenges. Many trainees quit because according to Judhi, they were not ready to leave their comfort zones. Being a SPAK agent requires each and everyone to refrain from acting out even the slightest corrupt act and instill non-corruption dilay.
Another challenge was the public’s resistance, especially in major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Semarang. Currently, Judhi’s team is formulating even more creative campaign methods targeting urban dwellers, campaigning in cafés, movie theatres, and commuter trains.
Judhi and her colleagues are proud of what they have accomplished so far. Today, SPAK has more than 1,720 agents in 34 provinces throughout Indonesia, relentlessly spreading anti-corruption messages.
