Decreasing The Rate of Corruption through Implementation of Honesty in early Age

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu and Good Morning...

            First of all, I would like to say my gratitude to Allah SWT who has given us bless and health so that we can get together in this place right now.

            I am standing here not as an important person and not to teach you. But I will persuade you through my speech about decreasing the rate of corruption through implementation of honesty in early age.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Before I talk about corruption and honesty, let’s know the meaning of corruption and honesty. Based on the Lexicon Webster Dictionary, corruption meaning depravity, dishonesty, immoral and deviation of holiness. Corruption from literal sense meaning taking or stealing the right that are not ours to take advantage of the position and deliberately and clandestinely. Many children understand a definition of honesty to be "don't lie". But a complete definition of honesty also means that an honest person doesn't do things that are morally wrong. If something you do is breaking the law or you have to hide it because you'll get in trouble, you are probably not being honest.  Can you imagine that we have to live the life without honesty? I believe there will be no goodness at all. And the corruption will increase.

Ladies and gentlemen,

            I believe that corruption and honesty have a close relationship. Many of the government officials said that their honest, but then they take people’s money. For example, the case of Gayus Tambunan, Bank Century scandal, Nazaruddin who was implicated in a scandal involving the construction of athletes' dormitories for Southeast Asia Games, BLBI embezzlement, Hambalang and more cases. Untill now, 155 cases of corruption involving the head area. Meanwhile, KPK (Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission )completed 37 cases of 155 cases.

There are some types of corruption, including bribes, embezzlement in office, extortion in office and  political scandal. The root of all of these problems is dishonesty, which has made our country is getting worse. We should not imitate any of them.

Indonesia should be proud as a nation that has a diversity of ethnic, religious, and cultural. Proud because was awarded the charming natural beauty. But, did you know? according to Transparency International, Indonesia ranked 100 of 183 countries in the 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index.  And ironically, many various ways that have been taken, have not seen a good change from the condition of this country. So what can we do for this country ?

 Ladies and gentlemen,

            We as the young generation should do something that can make our country to be better in everyway, including being honest.

Against a daily backdrop of corruption news and trials, several city schools have developed a values program to shape anti-corruption minds among their students. Several years ago, "honesty canteens" were introduced to allow students to buy food at unattended food stalls. Students are expected to be honest in paying and taking change from a money box.  As a student, I am very excited about this program. And I hope it really can teach us to be honest people.

There are many ways we can do to learn to be honest. The first is telling the truth. Sometimes when we talk to our parents, our teachers, or our friends; we tell a lie. But, let’s we start from the simplest way, try to say something true everytime we talk to the others. The second is keeping promises. If you promise to clean your room or help a friend with homework and don't follow through, then the promise is a lie. By keeping your promises, you build a reputation as an honest person who others can count on. The third is taking responsibility. Everybody makes mistakes or poor choices on occasion. But part of being honest is admitting when you've done wrong or caused a problem. The Momilani Library advises that honesty means owning up to your responsibility rather than blaming someone else or lying about it to cover your tracks.

Ladies and gentlemen,

All in all, Being honest means choosing not to lie, steal, cheat, or deceive in any way. When we are honest, we build strength of character that will allow us to be of great service to God and to others. We as the young generation will build the future Indonesia. It means that we have to fix all the problems. And one of the biggest problem is corruption. Probably we couldn’t stop it directly, but at least we can decrease it.  Let’s say No to corruption and say Yes to honesty!