[wanita-muslimah] IBRAHIM ISA'S – Selected NEWS VIE WS,,FOCUS – ON THE PRESIDENT
*IBRAHIM ISA'S Selected NEWS VIEWS* *FOCUS ON THE PRESIDENT* Monday, August 23, 2010 - *SBYs re-election: A START TO A DICTATORSHIP REGIME?* *Editorial: NAME YOUR CHOICE, MR PRESIDENT* *POPULARITY DROP -- A 'YELLOW LIGHT' TO THE PRESIDENT* *PRESIDENT SLAMMED FOR SILENCE ON POLICE SCANDALS* *THE WEEK IN REVIEW; INDEPENDENCE WEEK* *SBYs re-election: A START TO A DICTATORSHIP REGIME?* Mario Masaya, Bandung | Mon, 08/23/2010 Opinion It was the speculative loud speaker, Ruhut Sitompul, that raised the discourse of another term for Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonos rulership. Even though it was claimed to be his personal view, some might think that the message was delivered intentionally by the power behind it. The basic reason is to test public opinion on the matter. In international relations studies, it is called leakage. It was used by the government to disclose some policies to test public opinion. The leakage is very useful for two reasons. First, if the public shows some interest in this matter, and even supports the proposal recklessly, it might be a stepping stone for Cikeas to act accordingly. It also helps Yudhoyono and his party know which particular group is loyal to him, and which one is against. The second benefit can be seen from Yudhoyonos response himself. He appears to be an angel by showing that he disagrees with this matter and will not undertake such an undemocratic move. He said in his speech on the Constitution Day at the House of Representatives (Aug. 18) that he would give space for new leadership, not changing the rules for personal benefit. This response from Yudhoyono is regarded as another good-image political move as he usually does. Politically speaking, this strategic movement is very beneficial for Yudhoyono and the Democratic Party itself. There are two different responses which result from this matter, the pros and the cons. The pros of the possibility to change our Constitution and prolong Yudhoyonos leadership, argue that Indonesias development under Yudhoyonos presidency cannot be separated from his role. Therefore, the fate of this republic will be much depended on by Yudhoyono. The cons, on the other hand, are that it will ruin the democracy itself and Indonesia will move backward. This is based on the Indonesian Amended Constitution article 7 that stipulates a president can only be re-elected once. To amend this amendment means to make the first step to an undemocratic regime. It will create detrimental effects, which can be an obstacle to development. How should we actually respond to this discussion? First of all, let us compare these prolonged democratically elected presidential terms in other countries. In Venezuela, socialist president Hugo Chavez won the election the third time in 2006 after winning the election in 1998 and 2000. Chavezs policy is anti-US policy in most matters. With the so-called Bolivarian Revolution, Chavezs left-wing policy has made the country into a socialist country, nationalizing many international companies. More notably, it was in 2009 a referendum took place that gave him essential victory. This victory allows him to be President as long as the people keep electing him. On his presidency, he has cracked down on the press, greatly increasing restrictions as well as punishments for opposition. This condition creates a bigger possibility that Venezuela will be, or is, a dictatorship regime. Taking into account what happened in Venezuela, it will be very likely that the way to dictatorship can also be started from now, in this populist presidential era. While dictatorship has not such a bad image in Venezuela, we have a very unfortunate history of dictatorship under the New Order. Even nowadays it is still premature to think that Indonesia might return to the Soeharto era; however, it is still worth remembering the blood of Indonesian reformists shed to bring democracy to the republic in 1998. We should be aware that the political games created by politicians may have a severe effect on the well being of this republic. The possibility of a third presidential term for example, is seen as a coup for democracy. Democracy as the best political system of the worst is still a much better game in this country regardless of the slow economic development, corruption and many other problems. Democracy ensures individual freedom and human rights while others are not. Therefore, it is unnecessary to discuss the possibility of returning to the age of the Iron Hand as it only brings back bad memories and fears into the present. Even it is only a debate of another term of presidency; it is a warning for all Indonesian people that the option of another dictatorship regime still exists. It is also a caution for the ruling party that even the opportunity to
[wanita-muslimah] IBRAHIM ISA'S – SELECTED NEWS VIE WS
*IBRAHIM ISA'S SELECTED NEWS VIEWS* *Wednesday, 07 April 2010* *--* *-- A disgraced police official turns on his former buddies * *-- Megawati denies rift with husband* **-- Bust corruption at tax office, SBY orders ** **-- From Gayus Tambunan to critical literacy** **---** *A disgraced police official turns on his former buddies * Monday, 05 April 2010 Jakarta Globe: Susno Duadji A disgraced police official turns on his former buddies If there was ever an unlikely reformer, it is Susno Duadji, formerly the Indonesian National Police head of detectives, who was caught dead to rights by the country's anti-corruption agency for helping key officials ensnared in the notorious Bank Century scandal to flee the country. Susno was forced out of his position because of the scandal and was lucky he wasn't indicted. He remains in limbo in an unspecified capacity with the national police force. But in the wake of his ouster, Susno has suddenly started blowing the whistle on his former associates. His revelations have caused an uproar in the entire national law enforcement establishment as he grants interviews to virtually every news organization that wants to listen. What he is delivering has nothing to do with a sudden about turn in conscience. It appears to have more to do with injured pride and the machinations against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's reform team by the Golkar Party, headed by coal tycoon Aburizal Bakrie. In March, Susno raised a storm by accusing three police officials, then identified only by their rank and initials which meant it wouldn't be hard to figure out who they were -- of taking bribes from a mid-ranking tax official named Gayus Tambunan to bury a criminal probe after he was discovered to have Rp28 billion (US$3.1 million) in his bank account. The case has since ensnared the Attorney General's Office, top officials of the National Police and the Tangerang District Court as well the Directorate General of Taxation and a number of companies. Despite the revelations over Tambunan's bank accounts, the Tangerang District Court acquitted the tax official of embezzlement on March 12 and he promptly left Jakarta for Singapore with Susno sounding the alarm. Tambunan surrendered to police in Singapore. On Friday, the national police chief dismissed Police Brig. Gen. Edmond Ilyas, the former head of economic crimes, from his new job as Lampung Police Chief on information based on Susno's accusations. Brig. Gen. Radja Erisman, the current director of economic crimes, is also believed to have been implicated by Susno, partly because he unfroze Tambunan's bank accounts, which allowed him to flee. Ilyas and Erismana have filed criminal defamation complaints against Susno over his allegations, saying they were innocent of the charges. Reportedly investigators have evidence that Ilyas received at least Rp1.1 billion from Tambunan and Andi Kosasih, a Batam businessman who was said to be helpful in connecting entrepreneurs with officials, especially entrepreneurs who have difficulty in obtaining business licenses. Two more police officials, Comdr. Arafat Enanie and Adj. Comr. Sri Sumartini, are also suspects after it turned out that they questioned Tambunan in the relaxed atmosphere of Jakarta hotels rather than at National Police headquarters during the earlier probe of the tax official. Enanie is said to have received a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a Toyota Fortuner and a house from Tambunan, a police source said. We already seized all of that as evidence, while Sumartini got Rp100 million in cash, which she used to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Arafat is also said to have received bribes from PT Mega Cipta Jaya Garmindo, a company that allegedly transferred funds into Gayus's accounts. The Attorney General's Office is equally embarrassed over the way its prosecutors handled the case that ended with Tambunan's acquittal. Last week, Attorney General Hendarman Supandji was forced to stumble into a statement that they had not been bribed to dismiss the charges. Instead, he blamed thoughtlessness, saying they were overloaded with big cases. The falling police officials led Eliswan Azly, a columnist writing for Antara, the government-owned and operated news service, to write that Susno had shown unprecedented courage in publicly disclosing case-brokering practices in the police force and quoted officials recommending that he take up the post of Head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK),which became vacant after the former anti-graft chief, Antasari Azhar, was convicted of arranging the murder of a rival for an attractive female golf caddy's affections. Despite Antasari's conviction, the KPK is widely considered to be the most unbuyable public agency in Indonesia. It was Susno,
[wanita-muslimah] IBRAHIM ISA'S – SELECTED NEWS VIE WS, 14.-8.2008
** *IBRAHIM ISA'S SELECTED NEWS VIEWS, 14.-8.2008* ** *SBY claims credit for open elections * *The dispute behind the rosy picture of coal * *Indonesian Military returns to politics?* *We are religious but also corrupt* *Govt may set oil price at $130 in 2009 state budget * *-* *SBY claims credit for open elections* *Abdul Khalik*, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a move that could enhance his prospects in the 2009 presidential election, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday claimed the credit for proposing a new way of selecting legislators. The President staged an unscheduled press briefing to highlight his support of the move by several parties to determine their legislative members based on the votes each candidate wins in respective electoral districts. The President claimed he had promoted such a move long before other political parties adopted the non-numerical system. Two years ago, during a meeting with a female lawmakers' caucus, I personally -- and the government -- had the same position of adopting an open system where those who get the most votes represent their respective areas in the House of Representatives, he said. Yudhoyono said the government's proposal for such a system failed to take root as an adopted mechanism due to political situations. He did not elaborate on this. So now I welcome the parties that have adopted such an open system. It is a fair way to increase their votes because each candidate will work hard to lure voters, he said. In a move to avoid a series of defeats in regional elections and threats to its unity, the Golkar Party decided at a leadership meeting on Monday to scrap its control of the distribution of its legislative seats in the 2009 elections. The decision is considered by observers and lawmakers as a bold measure by the country's largest party to overcome its problems and lure more voters in the upcoming elections. In previous elections, every political parties subscribed to a numerical method as a way of determining their legislative members, with the election law allowing their central boards to appoint party loyalists to legislative councils. Loyalists to party leaders commonly topped lists of legislative candidates and contested the elections in the parties' strongholds to ensure they would secure legislative seats. Long before Golkar, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) made similar decisions to determine their legislative representatives based on the most votes obtained rather than the numerical method. But it was Golkar's move that prompted Yudhoyono to announce his Democratic Party would also adopt a similar open system to determine its legislative members. The Democratic Party has fought for this system within the House. So the party will implement it. Although I am not the party chairman, I am glad, he said. Yudhoyono is chief patron of the party, which is the country's fifth largest party after Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the United Development Party (PPP). The President's party won only 7.45 percent of votes in the 2004 legislative election. *The dispute behind the rosy picture of coal* , - Johannes Simbolon, Jakarta Until recently, comments on the Indonesian coal industry were all positive.Exports of the commodity have been increasing, making Indonesia the world's largest exporter of thermal coal. Its sky-high price generated windfall profits. All coal companies booked record revenue in the first half of the year, making coal stocks the darlings of investors on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. Coal companies vied to list their stocks on the bourse. All the new coal stocks were oversubscribed. All rose on the first day of trading, with one, PT Adaro Indonesia Tbk, leaping by as much as 60 percent. The coal stocks were one of the factors behind the relative resilience of the local bourse amid the global slump of equities in the first half of the year. It is one of the driving forces behind the country's economic growth this year, analysts say. But now, however, 14 executives of six major coal companies have been banned from traveling overseas on charges of refusing to pay royalties. The imposition of the travel ban on the coal executives has again raised our awareness that behind the rosy picture of the industry, there are problems that have remained unsolved for many years. And the dispute over the payment of royalties is only one of the problems. Amid the flurry of reports on the dispute, we should not forget that the government has
[wanita-muslimah] IBRAHIM ISA'S – SELECTED NEWS VIE WS, 14.-8.2008
** *IBRAHIM ISA'S SELECTED NEWS VIEWS, 14.-8.2008* ** *SBY claims credit for open elections * *The dispute behind the rosy picture of coal * *Indonesian Military returns to politics?* *We are religious but also corrupt* *Govt may set oil price at $130 in 2009 state budget * *-* *SBY claims credit for open elections* *Abdul Khalik*, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a move that could enhance his prospects in the 2009 presidential election, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday claimed the credit for proposing a new way of selecting legislators. The President staged an unscheduled press briefing to highlight his support of the move by several parties to determine their legislative members based on the votes each candidate wins in respective electoral districts. The President claimed he had promoted such a move long before other political parties adopted the non-numerical system. Two years ago, during a meeting with a female lawmakers' caucus, I personally -- and the government -- had the same position of adopting an open system where those who get the most votes represent their respective areas in the House of Representatives, he said. Yudhoyono said the government's proposal for such a system failed to take root as an adopted mechanism due to political situations. He did not elaborate on this. So now I welcome the parties that have adopted such an open system. It is a fair way to increase their votes because each candidate will work hard to lure voters, he said. In a move to avoid a series of defeats in regional elections and threats to its unity, the Golkar Party decided at a leadership meeting on Monday to scrap its control of the distribution of its legislative seats in the 2009 elections. The decision is considered by observers and lawmakers as a bold measure by the country's largest party to overcome its problems and lure more voters in the upcoming elections. In previous elections, every political parties subscribed to a numerical method as a way of determining their legislative members, with the election law allowing their central boards to appoint party loyalists to legislative councils. Loyalists to party leaders commonly topped lists of legislative candidates and contested the elections in the parties' strongholds to ensure they would secure legislative seats. Long before Golkar, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) made similar decisions to determine their legislative representatives based on the most votes obtained rather than the numerical method. But it was Golkar's move that prompted Yudhoyono to announce his Democratic Party would also adopt a similar open system to determine its legislative members. The Democratic Party has fought for this system within the House. So the party will implement it. Although I am not the party chairman, I am glad, he said. Yudhoyono is chief patron of the party, which is the country's fifth largest party after Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the United Development Party (PPP). The President's party won only 7.45 percent of votes in the 2004 legislative election. *The dispute behind the rosy picture of coal* , - Johannes Simbolon, Jakarta Until recently, comments on the Indonesian coal industry were all positive.Exports of the commodity have been increasing, making Indonesia the world's largest exporter of thermal coal. Its sky-high price generated windfall profits. All coal companies booked record revenue in the first half of the year, making coal stocks the darlings of investors on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. Coal companies vied to list their stocks on the bourse. All the new coal stocks were oversubscribed. All rose on the first day of trading, with one, PT Adaro Indonesia Tbk, leaping by as much as 60 percent. The coal stocks were one of the factors behind the relative resilience of the local bourse amid the global slump of equities in the first half of the year. It is one of the driving forces behind the country's economic growth this year, analysts say. But now, however, 14 executives of six major coal companies have been banned from traveling overseas on charges of refusing to pay royalties. The imposition of the travel ban on the coal executives has again raised our awareness that behind the rosy picture of the industry, there are problems that have remained unsolved for many years. And the dispute over the payment of royalties is only one of the problems. Amid the flurry of reports on the dispute, we should not forget that the government has
