Jakarta – Politicians, activists and experts have expressed doubt about the commitment shown by national leaders in combating corruption.

But some of them said addressing graft would require regime change within the executive branch of government while others held out hope that the legislative body and civil society could make a difference.

Senior economist Faisal Basri said corruption cases such as the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support (BLBI) scandal would not likely be the subject of thorough inquiries since "it is a matter of fact that the current regime is simply an extension of the New Order".

A clean slate was the only solution, he said, as "stakeholders" would do whatever was required to "secure their position and protect their interests".

"A completely new set of leaders with no connection whatsoever to past ruling elites" was required, in his opinion, to end the BLBI type of corrupt practices. "Just look at how the government has been a patron to problematic state-owned banks like Mandiri, BNI and BRI."

On the BLBI case, however, Reform Star Party (PBR) member of the House of Representatives Ade Daud Nasution said a recently proposed House interpellation measures would be worth the effort. It has been proposed that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono be questioned on the prolonged Rp 145 trillion (US$15.39 billion) scandal.

"Considering the scale of the BLBI scandal, this interpellation is a positive start, one which is expected to have a snowball effect."

Indonesian Youth Farmers chaiman Soepriyatno nevertheless remained skeptical. Pointing to unsatisfactory outcomes in recent forestry corruption cases, he said he didn't expect significant change because "everyone wants a piece of the cake" meaning only half-hearted efforts would be seen."Just look at the illegal logging cases that have been tried this year alone... the alleged perpetrators in 17 of the 29 cases came out unscathed," he told the discussion, which was organized by the Association for Humanity and Justice (Humanika).

"We need (civil) society to consistently press the government to immediately investigate and settle corruption cases like BLBI, otherwise they will continue."

The BLBI scandal was just the tip of the iceberg, Deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Bibit Rianto Samad said, with corruption having spread in most areas and "on so many levels... from the grassroots all the way up to the elites".

He said prevention was therefore required, in addition to investigation and prosecution measures. (amr)