Public Debate on Issues Facing Indonesia, San Francisco (USA)
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In this era of reformation, every body seems wanting to be members of Parliament and also President of Indonesia. Well, that is good for many reasons. At the very least, we; the people of Indonesia
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Ironically, as the Presidential election is approaching very rapidly there is not even a single Presidential candidate that is courageous enough to openly and publicly speaks up about many critical and depressing issues facing Indonesia and to spell out what kind of changes he/she is going to make if elected to be President. To accomplish that goal, I drafted a 14 pages document addressing those critical issues. Even after receiving my 14 pages document, they do not seem to bother. This leads us to several possibilities, which are:
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1). Either those Presidential candidates do not care about the issue or,
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2). They do not know about the issue or,
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3). They know the issue but do not have the ability to resolve the issue or,
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4). Hey.., I am only 5 years in office why bother, thus maintaining status quo
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5). Or, wait and see and only talk when asked or confronted about the issue.
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None of those choices are acceptable in my view in the upcoming 2009 election. Democracy is about people and the people of IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia
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There are many critical issues facing Indonesia
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1. Indonesia Massive Foreign and Domestic Debts.
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In 2002, its total foreign and domestic’s debts stood at 80% of its GDP. It was even worst in the previous years. In 1997 with South East AsiaIndonesiaIndonesia
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By the end of 1998 early 1999, IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia
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The $1.4 billion poverty alleviation program that was launched by the Indonesian government in 2007 did not even scratch the surface, if not missing the point addressing the underlying issue of poverty.
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Indonesia’s foreign and domestic debts are projected to stand at about $136 billion dollar by the end of this year 2008. This figure may change subject to oil price per barrel. That is a lot of debts!
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Now think about this! Indonesia’s massive foreign debts with 18 countries alone; members of PARIS CLUB will take 40 years to pay them off, with one condition that Indonesia will have to have over $4.5 billion year after year for the next 40 years to pay those 18 countries for principle, interest and commission.
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But how about other foreign debts with other creditors, such as: Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan Bank International Cooperation (JBIC) and the World Bank? How long Indonesia
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With such a massive debt trap and no Presidential candidate mentions about this critical issue is mind boggling. It does not take a genius to figure it out that there is a direct correlation between government’s debts and its citizen poverty and prosperity. The more bankrupt the government is, the more likely their people will suffer and living under poverty.
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2. Indonesia’s central government wasteful spending.
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If you look at 2006-2007 SBY’s budget, the majority expenditures of Indonesia
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Out of Rp.763.6 trillion government’s total expenditures for the entire country, Rp.504.8 trillion alone was spent by the Central Government. That is over 66% of the total expenditures while the total revenue was projected at Rp.723.1 trillion based on average oil price at $63 per barrel. Even with this approved budget, Indonesia
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What excluded in the budget deficit calculation spreadsheet were the monstrous public debts, which stood at $144 billion US dollar in 2006. In that APBN figures only included the payment on interest and its principle. If those massive public debts are included in the budget’s calculation spreadsheet against revenue and spending, the figures look really bad if not outrageous!
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How many years will IndonesiaParis
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Now at the end of 2008 APBN, it shows that the deficit stood at $94.5 trilliun Rupiah where Central Government spent Rp.697.1 trilliun, which was 77.88% of total APBN. That is really crazy, if you think about it! (Source: Fiskal.depkeu.go.id)
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Are we being fooled? Why this budget presented the way it is? So unless we demand for a change, are they; central government going to spend that much money year after year?
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3. Indonesia’s weakening currency Rupiah for the last 30 years.
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If we think Indonesia as an automobile, the issue is not only with incapable driver, but it is also with the car itself that has been tangled with wiring and engine problem per say and make it difficult to run smooth and fast on the road, fast enough to compete with other moving vehicles on the same path.
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This chronology reflects and represents the value of Indonesia
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This shows that the overall Indonesian’s economy compare to US
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The fact that there is no significant economic policy by the Government of Indonesia from the previous and the current administration to address this significant issue is just unbelievable. The fact that there are many depressing issues facing Indonesia
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Don’t let those future President offer you more of the same for the next 5 years and maintaining status quo. Don’t do it people! So, keep raising those issues and challenge your representatives and the Presidential candidates that you support. As a citizen of Indonesia
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For more details about the issues, below is a link to my 14 pages document that has been openly circulated and sent out to many Indonesian media.
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Those issues shall be the focus in the upcoming Presidential election in 2009 and those issues must be resolved if we want to see any significant change in Indonesia
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Debts and details payment summary to 18 countries; members of PARIS CLUB.
debts-to-paris-club
Open letter on other ctitical issues facing Indonesia.
http://www.indonesiamatters.com/2431/presidential-debates/
Broader assessment on critical issues facing Indonesia by Indonesia-European Community (Strategy Paper 2007-2013)
indonesia-european-community-strategy-paper-2007-2013
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