There is a serious problem in Indonesia that needs to be addressed: People tend to be hypocritical and distrustful of everything.

Clearly people love physical symbols in their daily lives. Houses of worship are always filled, and religious sermons attract huge crowds. Yet violence remains a popular way to settle disputes and differences. More seriously, the country is ranked as one of the most corrupt in the world.

The government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has shown it is serious about combating corruption. However, there remains an excessive suspicion, as seen in the campaign against holiday gifts.

Based on the 2001 Corruption Law, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2004 issued an order for state officials not to accept gifts, including holiday parcels for Idul Fitri, Christmas or the New Year. According to the KPK, the sending of gift parcels to officials is a kind of bribery.

Commission chief Taufiequrrachman Ruki then sent a letter dated Oct. 4, 2006, to the President banning government officials from accepting parcels or holiday gifts, including flowers, from subordinates, colleagues and business partners. Copies of the letter were distributed to the heads of the House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council, Supreme Audit Council and Supreme Court.

KPK deputy chief Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean said the commission had asked the President to set an acceptable limit on the financial value of gift parcels, pointing out that in the past the commission uncovered a government official accepting an Idul Fitri parcel worth Rp 2 billion.

According to the graft commission, holiday gifts are no longer about wishing to strengthen relationships or express friendship. Rather, they are an attempt to purchase influence. Maybe the commission is right, but then again maybe it's not. After all, giving gifts to friends and respected persons is a tradition here, and Idul Fitri, Christmas or New Year are the best times for gift-giving.

If the KPK's ban is based merely on the belief that holiday gifts are illegal and a form of corruption, the move will be futile. Officials could simply give out their bank account numbers and home addresses to those eager to buy them presents. Gifts would thus be able to continue to be given unbeknownst to colleagues or supervisors. In this case, the KPK's ban appears impractical.

Corruption is a matter of mentality, and it is this mentality that has become common in Indonesia. Motorists who refuse to yield to other vehicles and drivers who cut off other cars have a corrupt mentality. If people can engage in "corruption" just for space on the street, there is no doubt they will do anything and everything to enrich themselves. And that is what has happened here.

The anti-parcel movement could be just a reflection of the government's frustration at finding smart, legal ways to combat corruption, which unfortunately involves government officials at all levels.

The first victims of the KPK's policy are the parcel vendors, who recently protested to the commission and demanded a lifting of the ban.

Commission head Taufiequrrachman said the KPK had not banned people from buying and giving parcels. It is simply telling government officials not to accept holiday gifts. This may be true, but the KPK's warnings have frightened some people from even sending gift parcels to close friends or relatives working at private companies.

In truth, the no-parcel policy seems to a worthy but impractical attempt to help fight corruption. However, it also reflects the excessive suspicion that has taken over the country.

It is impractical and a waste of time to keep a watch out for parcels sent to or received by officials, while there is so much corruption out there that is going unaddressed.

Indonesia continues to suffer through financial woes, largely due to corruption. Therefore, combating graft is vital and deserves the full support of all layers of society. But trivial policies like the one on gift baskets are nothing more than an acknowledgement that the country has become so corrupt that sending and receiving Idul Fitri or Christmas gifts must be regulated by law.