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Rampant corruption is the root cause of most poverty, hunger and suffering in East Nusa Tenggara, say activists.

During a discussion at the Indonesia Corruption Watch office in Jakarta on Sunday, Indonesia Forum for Development chairman Don K Murat blamed public officials and law enforcement agencies for the high levels of disease and malnutrition in the province.

“NTT [East Nusa Tenggara] used to be one of the biggest producers of cattle and meat in the country. But farmers chose to grow crops rather than have their cattle stolen at night and extorted by rogue police officers during the day,” Don said.

But the cattle acted like an emergency bank account for farmers who would sell their livestock during droughts, he said.

In June last year, the East Nusa Tenggara health agency reported that more than 12,600 children under 5 years old were malnourished and at least 25 youngsters had died from malnutrition.

It also said the province’s infant mortality rate was 31 in 1,000, with hundreds dying each year from health problems, such as malaria, malnutrition, tuberculosis, respiratory infections and dehydration.

The Health Ministry blames lack of personal hygiene and lifestyle for the high infant mortality rate while the Ministry of Agriculture blames climate change for drought and malnutrition.

Lerry Mboeik, a member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) from East Nusa Tenggara, said that the government had done little to change the situation.

“Instead of focusing on famine prevention and establishing a climate and weather monitoring station, the local government spent money on buying new Toyota Fortuners,” she said.

Roy Salam, a researcher at the Indonesian Budget Center, said that more than half, 52 percent, of the province’s money is spent on public officials salaries and expenses. “Only 18.4 percent is dedicated to economic development and job creation. While only 5.4 percent is spent on social aid,” he said.

Roy cited a 2008 report by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) which found that out of 1,804 expenses, 1,568 were dubbed “irregular” and some have indications of corruption.

According to a 2009 survey by Transparency International Indonesia, East Nusa Tenggara is listed as the most corrupt province in the country.

Musician Glenn Fredly, who started a foundation the “Green Music Foundation” to improve people’s welfare in NTT, urged the government to pay more attention to the east.

“Eastern provinces are often neglected by the central government. People in the region have less access to education and health than their brothers and sisters in the western provinces,” he said.