Latest on Fri, 09:25 am
Does Indonesia escape the Plunder Bankers?
The US, Europe, Japan, Russia, Brazil – all of them are facing an economic depression as the follow up of the financial crises. And all of us will suffer. Severely.
Maybe not really all of us though. Maybe Indonesia will escape the economical catastrophe ahead. “President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia would not see a repeat of the financial crisis of 1997, as all the fundamentals looked solid and there was clear potential for domestic market expansion” (Jakarta Post, 06.10.08).
‘Our woman in Jakarta‘ more or less agrees with him. She reports that the Indonesian banks are not poisoned by bad derivatives, there is no serious threat for a credit crunch, Indonesia is not largely dependent on export to the US or Europe and the losses on the stock market don’t matter that much in a country where the overwhelming majority has other problems than shares, bank accounts and pensions.
But on the same day in the same paper this news could also be read: “the benchmark JSX index shed 183.77 points, or 10.03 percent, to close at 1,648.7 points.” Which, I agree, are moderate losses in comparison to the New York, European and Russian stock markets but it indicates the archipelago does not consist of islands in the financial and economical world. Which, I have to grant him, governor Boediono of BI confirmed: “The shortage of global liquidity will be felt as a result of this crisis.” And he added: “We must be prepared to face this over the next six months to one year“.
Mental Illness & The Pornography Bill
I wonder whether it occasionally happens to you also. I mean the instances you are are so stunned about someone’s words, ideas or behavior that you want to ask: “Jeez, in what world are you living?!”
Some minutes ago it happened to me. I did hit upon this line in a The Jakarta Post article on the consequences for Bali of the Pornography Bill. The sentence reads: “The bill, currently in draft form at the House of Representatives, defines pornography as acts that incite sexual desire.”
So, to some members of Parliament any act that incites sexual desire is pornography. How crazy can you get?!!!
It’s a definition which will make the Creator feel uncomfortable – because His/Her decision to create men and women is at the root of sexual desire and thus has to be considered pornography. Putting on lipstick is accentuating the seductiveness of, and attracting attention to, those kissable lips – which may incite sexual desire and thus is pornography. Being a beautiful young woman as such may inflame one’s sexual desire. Yeah, being beautiful is pornography. Power, as is well known, is a major aphrodisiac. So SBY himself can be considered to be pornography.
Yes, some lawmakers in Jakarta have gone nuts.
Update: Maybe the House of Representatives is coming to its senses. The passing of the bill has been posponed like Mulia wrote in her comment. Probably due to the reaction in Bali: “The outright rejection, including by the island’s governor and councilors, coupled with widespread opposition from several other provinces, forced the House to postpone passage of the bill” ( The Jakarta Post).
“I read the news today oh boy”
For John Lennon ( “A Day in the Life” ) the news was about a lucky man who made the grade, a guy who blew his mind out in a car and four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire. But guess what was in the papers today? What were the headlines shouting? What do they think is the most urgent problem the world should know?
Yes indeed, you’re right:
The Guardian:”Republican convention thrown into chaos by hurricane Gustav”
The New York Times:”Republicans drop most Monday Convention action”
The Los Angelos Times: “Hurricane Gustav bears down on empty New Orleans”
Frankfurter Algemeine: “McCain: Wir müssen wie Amerikaner handeln’ (Mc Cain’s comment on Gustav: ‘We must act like Americans’)
Le Monde: “John McCain: investiture par temps d’ouragan” (John McCain: In Office by Hurricane)
You see? Everything is political. Even a tropical storm. In as long it is an American storm.
But to me it seems to be plain injustice if because of Gustav THIS political news of today would go relatively unnoticed by the world: “Indonesia seizes funds from Suharto family firm“. And on top of that: “Indonesia to examine more of Suharto’s son assets“
Because this is food for optimism.
A court in Guernsey did rule in favor of the Indonesian state to freeze some € 35 million on an account of the notorious Tommy Suharto. The government filed a new request on further disclosure of the assets of “Garnet Investment” , in it’s ongoing attempt to reclaim more embezzlement money from the Suharto family. This action came after last Friday the Bank Mandiri had been ordered to transfer approximately € 90 million from Timor Putra Nasional ( the not so very solid car company which has been sold to Vista Bella Pratama by Tommy Suharto) to a government account, minister Sri Mulyani Imdrawati said.
Scepsis always comes in handy, but the fact remains that corruption obviously is high on the Indonesian political agenda. Even if it turns out there is an opportunistic connection with next year’s elections – according to the polls SBY has to do his utmost to gain more popular support to have a chance to beat Megawati- I think this news is important ánd good news. A rare combination.
Update: Another successful example of anti graft policies: “The Corruption Court sentenced disgraced prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan to 20 years in jail Thursday for taking a US$660,000 bribe to drop a major embezzlement case against fugitive tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim” (quoted from the Jakarta Post, 09/05/2008)
Indonesia – which way to prosperity?
They are unrepenting. Always trying to find new accomplices. Never stopping to impose their economic morals.
Last Friday The Jakarta Post reported the OECD had said: “RI needs more liberalization”. That looks like a warning. But according to the Amsterdam based NRC this club of thirty rich, developed countries had offered a “Special relationship for Indonesia”. Which can be considered to be an incentive for staying on the right track.
It was the first time an economic assessment dedicated to Indonesia has been presented by the organization. According to its secretary-general, Angel Gurria, it’s the first step on the country’s way to full membership. Despite quite a number of shortcomings, the survey strikes an optimistic note: Indonesia may well achieve the growth rates of China in the long run.
Partai Pelopor!
Two weeks ago the general elections committee, KPU, made it known that over 30 parties will be allowed to participate in the Indonesian 2009 elections. Sixteen of them automatically and the rest, the new ones, after recent approval.
Well, I bet Golkar will win. And SBY will be the reelected president for his second term.
But look, for those Indonesians who support this blog there is an alternative. A small party, two seats in Parliament now, led by Rachmawati ( daughter of Sukarno and not so beloved sister of Megawati) who claims to stick to the heritage of the left wing policies of the first Indonesian president, without any real political program I know of, but definitely the party with the best name of all 34 parties involved. Here and there is virtual proof of the existence of Partai Pelopor.
Check it out:
“The 16 parties that were automatically approved are Partai Golkar, Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, Partai Persatuan Pembangunan, Partai Demokrat, Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, Partai Amanat Nasional, Partai Bintang Reformasi, Partai Bulan Bintang, Partai Demokrasi Kebangsaan, Partai Damai Sejahtera, Partai Karya Peduli Bangsa, Partai Persatuan Demokrasi Indonesia, Partai Pelopor, Partai Nasional Indonesia Marhaenisme and Partai Persatuan Demokrasi Indonesia.”
Pelopor. Left wing. Mmm. Could be worse.