JAKARTA, INDONESIA - A reform push by leaders in Indonesia has substantially improved the performance of government and cut into corruption in South-east Asia's largest economy, the World Bank said on Wednesday.

The bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) report found governance had improved significantly in Indonesia in the 10 years of 'reformasi' since the 1998 ouster of dictator Suharto, a statement said.

'The progress is a reflection of a country whose political leaders, policymakers, civil society and private sector view good governance and corruption control as crucial for sustained and shared growth,' report co-author Daniel Kaufmann said in the statement.

The report covered indicators on governance and corruption in 212 countries drawing on data from survey institutes, thinktanks and NGOs. Indonesia is widely seen as being among the most corrupt countries in the world, ranking 143rd on Transparency International's global corruption perceptions index, alongside Russia, Togo and Gambia. -- AFP