Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Charge dAffaires of the US Embassy in Jakarta Kristen Bauer and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have celebrated the first Anti-Corruption Film Festival Award Ceremony, according to the US Embassys website on Tuesday.

Kristen Bauer spoke to filmmakers, government officials, students, writers, advocates, bureaucrats, businessmen, and journalists at the gathering for the first Anti-Corruption Film Festival Award Ceremony on December 14.

The KPK received over 180 film entries, and finalists were selected by a panel of eminent judges comprising of filmmakers and anti-corruption activists. The categories comprised documentary, animation and games, and fiction.

Following the screening of select films in Malang, Palu, Balikpapan, and Padangpanjang, Charge Bauer joined the KPK leadership in Jakarta to honor the winners in each category.

Charge Bauer told the audience that the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was proud to support the film festival and the efforts of the KPK to uphold the rule of law and prevent corruption.

Corruption undermines democracy, perpetuates injustice, and slows economic development, thereby contributing to poverty.

In the United States and Indonesia, corruption robs people of their opportunities and goes against the values shared by the two countries.

Preventing corruption is not solely the job of a single institution. It is the responsibility of every individual, government agency, and business. Indonesia is leading this effort, both locally and internationally, by chairing the Open Government Partnership this year.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013