Indayani Moeljo was director of FICA’s Center for Strategic Studies that sponsored Overseas Mission Conference.  Indayani Moeljo went back to Indonesia in 2005.  She has been instrumental in many initiatives in FICA especially in the Discovery Trip Program and in Cross Point Publication.  She has been a dear friend and a good mentor for us serving in FICA now.  This interview was conducted in 2005.

I: Anna Saputera; IM: Indayani Moeljo

I: What is your opinion on general ethics in the work place in Jakarta where you reside?

IM: Work ethics essentially breaks down to what one does or would do in a particular situation.  What is right and wrong in a particular situation?  At the core, work ethics is about humility and how you treat others as you want to be treated.  I don’t see people hold high ethical standard in the workplace.  For example, people are having habits to talk behind others back everywhere.  The HR personnel disclosed employee personal information such as salary to other employee.

I: Do you imply that people have better ethics in America than those in Jakarta? Does ethics = morality?  Because if we speak about morality people are equally depraved everywhere. 

IM: Yes, people are equally depraved everywhere, yet everyone has the ability to distinguish good and bad ethics.  Ethics and morality deal with the manner in which people do things.  Ethics is a collection of one’s moral principles.  Back to your question, I found people in America are more consistent in doing what they think is right.  They believe that waiting in line is the right way to stay in order.  Everyone is allowed to express their opinion in workplace as long as it is done in a polite and respectful manner.

I: Why is it important for a company to have better ethics?

IM: Since ethics deals a lot with how one should conduct his manner, have ethical employees will get the company perform better.  This is due better relationship among coworkers will lead to better efficiency in performance, higher level of responsibility of the management, and better accountability in the organization.  Imagine a boss who does not give a fair evaluation to his employee.  The employee will react negatively in turn will lower the morale of the whole organization.

I: What does it take for a company or a society to have a better ethics?

IM:  If the society allowed everyone to do whatever he likes doing without any ethical guidance, then a barbaric society will exist because human being is depraved of goodness.  There should be an ethical guide that is taught in the school as well as in the workplace.  The most important thing in teaching ethic is ensuring a transformational character change which initiated by honest introspection about ourselves.

I: Any advice for students and workers who plan to go back to Indonesia? 

 IM: We need to know what space we want to influence in Indonesia with Christian values.  This is his driving force, motivation, and God’s urgent call for him.  Secondly, we need to have a good support system in Indonesia for accountability.  Thirdly, we need to set a good standard in many aspects of our lives and displaying good ethics.  Simple things like treating other with respect, do not litter, work efficiently and on time, and respect other people privacy could set good example, since those good ethics are not commonly found in Jakarta.