Link: Menagih-janji-kampanye-dan-tantangan-indonesia-5-tahun-kedepan

*

Northern California, January 28^th, 2010

Open Letter

** 

 

Dear Mr. President Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono and Mr. Vice President Boediono, Newly elected Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of Constitutional Court, Members of Supreme Court, members of Corruption Eradication Commission and the wonderful people of Indonesia:

 

Warm greetings from Northern California! Salam sejahtera dan damai dari kami warga Indonesia yang berada di USA!

 

Congratulations to Dr. Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono for winning the re-election of the Presidency and Mr. Boediono for being newly elected Vice President of Indonesia. May God give you the wisdom and strength to execute your office to uphold the rule of law and to improve the life of the millions people of Indonesia who are now still living under poverty line.

 

Congratulations to all of newly elected Members of Parliament (MP’s) for winning the election-contest to becoming Representatives of the people of Indonesia. May God give you the knowledge and the courage to represent the interest of the ordinary Indonesian people and not political parties!

 

Congratulations to all elected Ministers under President SBY’s second term of his Presidency and I wish you all the best to serve the Indonesian people in supporting the works of the President and Vice President.

 

Congratulations to the people of Indonesia who have been successfully undertaking peaceful general election and direct Presidential election for the 3^rd times.

 

The election and the 100 days have been completed and the honeymoon for President SBY and his cabinet Ministers is over. It’s now the time to work on the core issues and produce tangible results that have a direct impact to the millions and millions of ordinary Indonesian people who are now living under poverty line and reduce Indonesia massive unemployment and massive domestic and foreign debts. It is time for a real change!

 

As I stated openly and publicly in my 1^st open letter on August 26^th, 2008 prior to the Presidential election (a copy or link as enclosed at the end of this letter), it is NOT critical in my view who was going to be next President and Vice President of Indonesia regardless whoever they might be. But it is VERY CRITICAL that the elected President and Vice President of Indonesia and the appointed Cabinet Ministers must understand the critical issues facing the nation and the country of Indonesia!

 

One assertion that I continue to make since the first direct election in 2004 in my effort to emphasize the importance and the criticality of the issue is the fact that without resolving those critical issues first once and for all, there is not much for any new President and Vice President of Indonesia can do regardless how genius those persons might be, to make any significant changes in Indonesia. I am that confident!

 

The issues have entangled President’s ability to govern and even brought down once was the most powerful man in the 35 years history of that country. It shows how critical those issues really are and how important it is to resolve those issues sooner than later.

 

For that matter, it is absolutely critical for the elected President and Vice President of Indonesia and his cabinet Ministers shall come up with comprehensive work-plans and action plans to resolve those critical issues step-by-step with bench-marks or expected conditions on the ground to measure the success-possibility of their programs with a timeline. Those programs must be shared and debated publicly in order for the public to have the opportunity to scrutinize those programs as well as to uphold the right of the people to know and to be informed!

 

These open public debates will enhance Democratic process in Indonesia to work its best for the people because the people are no longer left behind acting as spectators of Democracy after the election process has been completed. They are still being included and play a critical role in the decision making process in the government’s affairs either at the Central Government, Provincial Government and at the District or City Government level. This is what government of the people, by the people and for the people is all about. The people at large still play critical role in the decision making process in the government affairs even after the general election has been completed.

 

The notion that is often times being entertained by government officials that they do have programs to address the issues and whether the people agree or disagree with their programs are somehow a different issue and only human is unacceptable. They are elected by the people in a democratic process and the spirit, the heart and the fundamental principle of Democracy is that the people have the right to know and to be informed. To suggest that being government officials and thus having an authority to keep their programs in secrecy is just wrong and undemocratic. The people must be allowed to scrutinize their representatives and those who are in power.

 

The government must agree to share the proposed programs, undertake open public debates with members of Parliament and the people at large to scrutinize those programs before they arrive to any conclusions or restrictions. This is the spirit of Democracy that must be upheld.

 

Now let’s look at the 100 day programs produced by the SBY’s administration. What was the best of 100 days programs that SBY’s administration has generated?  Here it is:

 

(Quote)

 

Selasa, 26/01/2010 12:09 WIB

Hatta: Program 100 hari Selesai 100%

Ramdhania El Hida - detikFinance

 

Jakarta - Meskipun program 100 hari pemerintah Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu Jilid II baru berjalan 98 hari, namun pemerintah memastikan program 100 hari di sektor ekonomi dipastikan selesai 100%.

 
Demikian ditegaskan Menteri Koordinator Perekonomian Hatta Rajasa usai rapat koordinasi di Ruang Grahasawala Kantor Menko Perekonomian, Jakarta, Selasa (26/1/2010

 

 

 

 

Hatta menyatakan pada rapat kali ini, pihaknya sudah menyelesaikan draf cetak biru mengenai Sistem Logistik Nasional (Sislognas). Cetak biru mengenai Sislognas ini, ujar Hatta, diharapkan bisa menjadi rujukan sampai tahun 2025.

“Sudah pada final draf, Sislognas, Sistem Logistik Nasional yang sudah kita ketok menjadi final draf, rujukan sampai 2025. Ya bisa dibilang blue print,” jelas Hatta.

Selain itu, Hatta mengatakan hari ini pemerintah akan menyelesaikan rancangan revisi Keppres Nomor 80 Tahun 2010. “Hari ini Revisi Keppres 80 selesai, rakor kita terdahulu sudah dibahas, masih kurang sedikit,” ungkap Hatta.

Sebelumnya, Tim Ekonomi Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu jilid II mengklaim berhasil menuntaskan 92,16% program kerja 100 harinya, sementara DPR dan kalangan usaha mempertanyakan dasar penilaiannya.

 

 

 

 
Dokumen Kemenko Perekonomian mencatat empat rencana aksi yang masih di bawah 75% adalah perluasan modal lembaga pembiayaan infrastruktur, perubahan Keppres No.80/2003 tentang Pedoman Pelaksanaan Pengadaan barang dan Jasa Pemerintah, penyelesaian penyediaan akses telepon di 32 provinsi mencakup 25.000 desa (Desa Berdering), dan penyusunan rencana aksi revitalisasi Industri pupuk dan gula.

 
Meskipun diyakini tuntas pada 100 hari, Hatta menegaskan 53 rencana aksi tersebut tidak akan langsung diberlakukan. Pasalnya butuh waktu 6 bulan untuk melakukan sosialisasi untuk benar-benar diimplementasikan.

 

 

 

1. P12A2: Perluasan modal lembaga pembiayaan infrastruktur (Kemenkeu)
2. P12A3: Perubahan Keppres No.80/2003 tentang Pedoman Pelaksanaan Pengadaan barang dan Jasa Pemerintah (Bappenas)
3. P13A7: Penyelesaian penyediaan akses telepon di 32 provinsi mencakup 25.000 desa (desa Berdering) (Kemenkominfo)
4. P26A1: Penyusunan rencana Aksi revitalisasi Industri pupuk dan gula (Kemenperin)

 

Tingkat capaian Hijau (75-100%):

 

1. P11A1: review sinkronisasi kebijakan dan peraturan perundang-undangan yang terkait dengan tata ruang Kemenko Perekonomian
2. P11A2: Penyempurnaan standar prosedur operasional pengaturan dan pelayanan pertanahan (mengacu pada UU No.25/2009 tentang pelayanan publik)
3. P11A3 : Integrasi data dan pelayanan pertanahan nasional secara online (BPN)
4. P11A4 : Pengembangan Kantor Pertanahan Bergerak (LARASITA) (BPN)
5. P11A5: Penyusunan RPP tentang Perubahan Peruntukan Kawasan Hutan (Kementerian Kehutanan)
6. P12A1: Perubahan Perpres No.67/2005 tentang Kerjasama Pemerintah dan Badan Usaha Dalam Penyediaan Infrastruktur (Bappenas)
7. P12A4: Penetapan skema Co-financing bagi program pembangunan antara Pemerintah Pusat dan Daerah (Penciptaan ownership di daerah) serta pemerintah dan swasta/BUMN (public private partnership) (Kemenko Perekonomian)
8. P13A4: Pembentukan tim penyiapan prasarana penghubung Jawa-Sumatera yang bertugas melakukan studi kelayakan (Kementerian PU)
9. P13A8: Pencanangan dukungan kepada teknologi informasi dan komunikasi lokal sekaligus pemantapan program IGOS (Indonesia Go Open Source) (Kemenkominfo)
10. P13A9: Peningkatan layanan transportasi bagi masyarakat di daerah tertinggal, terdepan, terluar, dan pasca-konflik (Kementerian Perhubungan)
11. P13A10: Dimulainya perbaikan sarana dan prasarana pelabuhan perikanan dengan mengutamakan penyediaan sarana air bersih dan pabrik es oleh pemerintah serta pembenahan system rantai dingin mulai dari penyortiran di laut sampai dengan di tempat pemasarannya (Kementerian KP).
12. P14A2: Perubahan PP No.36/1998 tentang Penertiban dan Pendayagunaan Tanah Terlantar (BPN)
13. P14A2: Perubahan PP No.46/2002 tentang PNBP Bidang Pertanahan (BPN)
14. P15A1 Pencanangan PP tentang Pertanian Pangan Skala Luas (food estate) (Kementerian Pertanian)
15. P15A2 : Pencanangan food estate di Merauke (Kementerian Pertanian)
16. P15A3: Pencanangan program peningkatan daya saing dan nilai tambah produk pertanian dengan pemberian insentif bagi tumbuhnya industri pedesaan berbasis produk (Kementerian Pertanian)
17. P16A1: Penyusunan cetak biru swasenbada pangan tahap II untuk kedelai, jagung, gula dan daging sapi (Kementerian Pertanian)
18. P18A1 Penerbitan Permen ESDM tentang Harga Patokan Pembelian Listrik dari Panas Bumi (Kementerian ESDM)
19. P19A2 Penuntasan reorganisasi PLN dan Pertamina (Kementerian BUMN)
20. P21A1 Menerbitkan Peraturan Menteri Keuangan tentang Insentif pemanfaatan renewable energy (Kementerian Keuangan)
21. P22A1 Penyediaan dana penjaminan untuk KUR dalam APBN sebesar Rp 2 triliun per tahun (Kemenko Perekonomian)
22. P22A2 Perubahan Peraturan Pelaksana Penyaluran KUR (Kemenko Perekonomian)
23. P22A3: Perluasan akses KUR : lingkage antara perbankan besar nasional dan bank daerah (Kemen Kop dan UKM)
24. P23A1: Memperluas program diklat dan pendidikan vocational bagi pelaku UKM (Kemen Kop dan UKM)
25. P23A2 Perluasan One Village One Product (OVOP) (Kemen Kop dan UKM)
26. P23A3 Percepatan pembangunan atau revitalisasi pasar tradisional sebanyak 90 pasar (Kemen Kop dan UKM)
27. P24A1 Perubahan Peraturan tentang Upah Minimum Sektoral (Kemenakertrans)
28. P25A1 Penerapan Sistem Pelayanan Informasi dan Perizinan Investasi Secara Elektronik (SPIPISE) di Kawasan Perdagangan Bebas dan Pelabuhan Bebas Batam
29. P25A2 Pengoperasian pelayanan kepelabuhanan dan kepabeanan 24 jam per hari dan 7 hari per minggu (Kementerian Perhubungan)
30. P27A1 Pencanangan klaster industry berbasis pertanian, oleochemical di Sumatera Utara, Kalimantan Timur, dan Riau (Kementerian Perindustrian)
31. P27A2 Pencanangan Klaster industry berbasis migas, kondesat di Jawa Timur dan Kalimantan Timur (Kementerian Perindustrian)
32. P28A1 Penyusunan cetak biru transportasi multimoda sesuai dengan cetak biru sistem logistik nasional (Kementerian Perhubungan)
33. P28A2 Penyusunan konsep dasar perencanaan jaringan transportasi angkutan laut dan rencana pembangunan pelabuhan (Kementerian Perhubungan)
34. P28A3 Integrasi system angkutan umum missal perkotaan antar-moda, dimulai di Jakarta dengan penerapan tiket terusan kereta api dan busway (Kementerian Perhubungan)
35. P29A1 Penyusunan pedoman teknis tentang keselamatan transportasi (kementerian Perhubungan).

 

Tingkat capaian Biru (100%):

 

1. P13A1 Peningkatan kesehatan lingkungan berupa pembangunan sarana air minum di 1.379 lokasi/kawasan bagi masyarakat berpenghasilan rendah dan pembangunan sanitasi masyarakat di 61 lokasi (Kementerian PU)
2. P13A2 Penyelesaian audit teknis untuk pengembalian dan pemastian fungsi embung, waduk, bending dan bendungan, serta jaringan irigasi secara holistic dan terintegrasi (Kementerian PU)
3. P13A3 Peningkatan kapasitas jalan lintas di Sumatera dan Sulawesi sepanjang 695 km; sebagai bagian dari pembangunan jalan lintas Sumatera dan Sulawesi sepanjang 695 km; sebagai bagian dari pembangunan jalan lintas Sumatera, Jawa, Bali, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, dan Papua sepanjang 19.370 km dalam 5 tahun (Kementerian PU).
4. P13A5 Penyelesaian struktur penampang basah prasarana pengendalian Banjir kanal Timur (BKT) Jakarta sehingga dapat mengalirkan air (Kementerian PU).
5. P13A6 Peningkatan tingkat hunian rusunawa yang sudah/sedang dibangun dari sekitar 40% menjadi 80% dalam 100 hari dan melakukan kaji ulang menyeluruh atas kebijakan pembangunan dan penghunian rusunawa dan rusunami (Kemenpera)
6. P17A1 Pemenuhan BBM dalam negeri khususnya untuk Indonesia bagian timur (Kementerian ESDM)
7. P17A2 Perencanaan pasokan gas bumi untuk keperluan domestic (Kementerian ESDM)
8. P17A3 Penerbitan PP dan Peraturan Menteri ESDM tentang Pasokan Batubara dalam negeri (DMO) (Kementerian ESDM)
9. P17A4 Penerbitan Perpres tentang Proyek Percepatan Pembangunan Pembangkit Tanaga Listrik 10.000 MW tahap II (Kementerian ESDM)
10. P19A1 Perumusan penyelesaian permasalahan PPA di tingkat korporat PT PLN (Kementerian ESDM)
11. P19A3 Pemanfaatan coal bed methane melalui penyusunan perangkat sehingga menghasilkan energy pada tahun 2011 (Kementerian ESDM)
12. P20A1 Perumusan pengalihan system subsidi; BBM, pupuk dan listrik (Kemenko Perekonomian)

 

http://www.detikfinance.com/read/2010/01/26/120923/1286185/4/hatta-program-100-hari-selesai-100

 

 

 

 

(Unquote)

 

Wow! Just look at it! What a laundry list!

 

The long list 100 days programs that were presented by SBY’s administration 2010 as stated above do not address the top 10 or even the top 3 pressing issues facing Indonesia.

 

It’s a long laundry list that does not make a dent on poverty and the massive unemployment, let alone of making a significant change in the overall outlook of Indonesian state of economy! There are no bench marks, conditions or time line used to measure the success of those programs. Any high school graduate can generate such a list! Is this the best thing of those cabinet Ministers can generate in lieu of their demand to drive Toyota Crown Majesta? What a joke!

 

What is the benefit for the Indonesian people to having just programs from the government that are immeasurable; more like a long laundry list without bench-marks, measured expected condition on the ground and timeline?

 

The more immeasurable of the programs are, the more likely those programs are bound to fail and nothing less but a laundry list that does not do any good for the people of Indonesia at large! Certainly those 51 programs that were presented by the current SBY’s administration for 2010 with lack of sharp focus in improving the life of the millions and millions Indonesian people who are still living under poverty line, reducing massive unemployment and Indonesia massive domestic and foreign debts for not having bench-marks, expected conditions on the ground and timeline is just ridiculous and UNACCEPTABLE!

 

It’s time for a real change and the change is from today by scrutinizing the government programs that must be result oriented and not simply just programs and empty promises with rosy picture of the end-results. The era of laundry list, empty promises and secrecy are over. We want to see tangible results and these tangible results can only be achieved by having comprehensive sound plans and action plans with bench-marks and timeline that are debatable, measurable and attainable. This is the spirit of Democracy that must be upheld.

 

As promised during the general and Presidential campaign election 2009:

 

·        If the current administration claims and wants to reduce poverty, inflation and unemployment at any percentage level, what are the plans and the action plans to get there? What are the bench-marks and timeline? What conditions expected on the ground to occur to indicate that the Programs are working? At what point that these programs have to be aborted or changed because it does not work and what are the consequences? These are the critical issue that must be answered. 

 

·        If the current administration wants to reduce Indonesia’s massive Foreign and Domestic debts, what are the plans and the action-plans to get there?  What are the bench-marks and timeline to pay off these massive debts? The basic questions of who, what, where, why, when, if and how shall be applied and answered before we arrive to the expected results.

 

·        If the current administration wants to improve the weakening currency Rupiah for the last 30 years, what are the plans and the action plans to get there? What are the bench-marks and timeline? What are the back up plans and consequences if it does not work? All of these questions need to be debated candidly, openly and publicly.

 

 

The Indonesia people are more interested in knowing the work-plans and the action plans that sound, measurable and comprehensive rather than having those laundry lists. The work-plans and the action-plans must be scrutinized whether it makes sense or not.  

 

We must undertake our public-oversight’s role to make significant changes and our role is nothing but to hold our Government Officials and Representatives accountable to generate tangible results by undertaking public open debates about the issues and the subsequent programs presented by the government.

 

For that reason alone, it is not questionable that the President and the Vice President of Indonesia, all newly elected Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament shall come up and present their version of comprehensive work-plans and actions plans to address the many depressing and critical issues facing the country. This is the spirit of healthy debate and competition in a democratic government that must be promoted.

 

We have identified several critical issues with clarity. We have spoken out loud, openly and publicly, pre and post Presidential and General Election. There should be no reasons or excuses for those who are in power that they do not know what those critical issues are. It is unacceptable for our current leaders in the Executive and the in the Legislative Branch to IGNORE or, abandoning these critical issues to be unresolved for the next 5 years.

The issues are so critical to the welfare of millions and millions Indonesian people. Those critical issues shall be addressed and resolved now without any delay.

 

What are those critical issues?  

 

Massive Domestic & Foreign Debts and disproportional Funds Allocation (APBN)

 

As of January 2009, Indonesia’s foreign debts stand at Rp.746 trillion and Indonesia’s domestic debts stand at Rp.920 trillion Rupiah. It is interesting to note that now Indonesia’s Domestic Debts is much bigger than foreign debts. Prior to 1997, Indonesia’s domestic debts was virtually zero, or very small!

 

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s national budget (APBN) in 2008, total revenue stood at Rp.895 trillion; total expenditure was Rp.989.5 trillion resulting in deficit for Rp.94.5 trillion Rupiah, in which the Central Government alone spent Rp.697.1 trillion (77.88%) of total revenue APBN. That is a lot of money to spend by one single entity called Central Government.

 

Meanwhile, the remaining funds, which was Rp.292.4 trillion (22.12% of APBN) was given or allocated to support 33 different provincial governments, which later on these provincial governments must share some of these funds to finance 491 Cities, 5,263 Districts (Kecamatan) and 69,919 Sub-Districts (Kelurahan) government to undertake whatever infrastructure and social projects they need. *Source: (Fiskal.depkeu.go.id and Direktorat Jendral Pengelolaan Utang DEPKEU).

 

If those sub-districts (Kelurahan) or villages (Desa-Desa) government did receive any funds from that small amount (22.12% of APBN) that was set-aside by Central Government after being slashed and shared by Provincial, City and District level of Government, how much money left do you think they will receive? If there is, it must be very insignificant. How long this issue has been left untouched?

 

This national budget allocation in my view is very disproportional, irresponsible and UNFAIR, especially, to those millions and million ordinary Indonesia citizens who live in the villages under poverty. Do you surprise that majority of those Indonesian people who are now still living under poverty live in those villages? To make a change on the ground, this budget allocation shall be dramatically changed and allocated differently.

 

We encourage the Members of Parliament to come up with their own version National Budget (APBN 2010) competing with the National Budget (APBN) that is going to be submitted by the President. This budget allocation shall be debated openly and publicly.

 

The National Budget allocation under APBN (in 2010) shall be proportional to address the needs of those ordinary Indonesia people who are still living under poverty in thousands and thousands villages. I don’t have to mention the figure; we all know how many people are still living under $ 2 a day or, (Rp. 20.000.-/ per hari)

 

Let me address point per point to point it out those top critical issues and challenges facing Indonesia at this current time one-by-one with clarity in order for our President, Vice President, Cabinet Ministers, and Representatives of the people understand them all and willing to resolve those pressing issues sooner than later, as follow:

 

1.     *Kapan hutang dalam dan luar negeri Indonesia akan di lunasi?

 

Nasional budget (APBN) sendiri tiap tahunnya tidak pernah balanced dan malah deficit trilliunan Rupiah. Bagaimana, kapan dan berapa lama Indonesia akan bisa melunasi HUTANG DALAM DAN LUAR NEGERI dan dari mana duitnya? Issue ini perlu diperdebatkn secara umum dan terbuka dengan public atau rakyat Indonesia.

 

(When are you going to pay off Indonesia’s massive Foreign and Domestic Debts? What plans and actions plans do you have to pay off Indonesia’s massive Domestic and Foreign debts, when, how long and where do you get the money from?

 

 

The false claim and false notion entertained by SBY’s Administration

 

The current notion that is being entertained by the current administration to suggest that the Indonesia’s massive debts are still 30% of GDP and the debts payment on interest and principle only 2% of the GDP are thus acceptable is very ridiculous and unacceptable! Why?

 

These debts have entangled Indonesia’s ability to elevate much of the poverty, massive unemployment and provide much of the needed funds to fix the broken infrastructures and public services. These massive debts must be reduced and eliminated. We shall stop entertain such a silly notion.

 

Prior to 1997/1998, Indonesia’s domestic debts were virtually zero, insignificant or, very small. Now, Indonesia’s domestic debts are even bigger than foreign debts just within the last 12 years. To suggest that it is okay for Indonesia to sustain such a massive debt just because the payment is still within 30% of GDP and its interest payment is still under 2% of GDP is simply irresponsible and immoral, knowing how many Indonesia people are still living under poverty; living under $2 a day!

 

Menkeu Sri Mulyani continues to insist openly and publicly that Indonesia’s massive debts are within safety ratio and thus manageable! She cited that most developed countries like Japan, USA and European countries have debts. Japan’s debts are higher and bigger than Indonesia standing up to 150% of its GDP. United States of America has debts bigger than all debts by Asian countries combined all together. Some European countries have deficit higher than 9%.

Meanwhile, as Menkeu Sri Mulyani explained that Indonesia’s debt ratio is still within 30% of its GDP, the interest is still within 2% of its GDP and the deficit is under 3%. Indonesia financial outlook is better than those developed countries.

 

What is flaw with Menkeu Sri Mulyani’s public statements is her attempt to corrupt and distort the economical facts about those developed countries such as: Japan, USA and European countries. There are fundamental economical differences between those developed countries and Indonesia, which are:

 

A). Japan, USA and European Countries such as: England, Germany and France have large and solid Domestic Equity Market, while Indonesia does not!

 

B). Japan, USA and European Countries such as: England, Germany and France have humongous Market Capitalization, while Indonesia does not!

 

Those 2 things distinct and separate between those developed countries and Indonesia in terms of financial and economical outlook in the eyes of world creditors such as IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

 

So, comparing Indonesia with those developed countries does not make sense and incomparable, just like comparing assets and the net worth of Aburizal Bakrie (Bakrie Brothers’ Co.) and successful penjual Bakso who has positive outlook on his/her portfolio, bought a nice house and brand new Mercedes Benz.

 

Even though Aburizal Bakrie’s financial outlook is let’s say minus and have deficit over 9% from his overall portfolio compared to penjual Bakso who has deficit under 3%, most Bank will prefer to loan money to Aburizal Bakrie than this successful penjual Bakso. Why?

 

Because in terms of financial and economical outlook, Aburizal Bakrie’s Companies have tremendous amount of net worth, assets and potential profit compared to this penjual Bakso even though his portfolio is minus or having deficit bigger than this successful penjual bakso. That is the difference and that is something that Menkeu Sri Mulyani failed to mention on her public statements.

 

Those develop countries: Japan, USA and European countries even though they have debt ratio over 150% from their GDP and their deficit as high as 9%, they are still desirable by those world creditors because they have large and solid Domestic Equity Market and humongous Market Capitalization.

 

These are 2 things that Indonesia does not have. If she does, the amount is too insignificant compared to its massive debts, massive unemployment and the amount of its citizen who are still living under poverty line. It is simply incomparable Madam Sri Mulyani!

 

It doesn’t take a genius to draw straight line between government’s massive debts and its citizen poverty and prosperity. The more bankrupt the government is, the more likely its citizen continues to suffer due to lack of public funds to provide public services. It’s simple math. The question we all ask is this: How long these massive debts are going to be left unresolved? What plans and action plans do you have to resolve this issue?

 

Sama anggota PARIS CLUB saja akan memakan waktu 40 tahun, itupun kalau Indonesia bisa terus menerus bisa membayar cicilanya yg berupa Principle, Interest dan Commission setiap tahunya rata-rata $4.5 billion dalam waktu 40 tahun?

 

Below is link below “Proyeksi Pembayaran Pinjaman Luar Negeri Pemerintah Indonesia Kepada Negara Anggota Paris Club 2005-2008.”

 

http://parmadim.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/debts-to-paris-club.pdf

 

Empat puluh tahun (40 tahun), bukanlah 40 minggu atau 40 bulan? Mortgage loan untuk pembelian dan cicilan rumah diluar negeri saja hanya 30 tahun maximum dan jarang yg 40 tahun. Terus bagaimana dengan hutang-hutang Indonesia dengan creditor asing lain seperti ADB (Asian Development Bank), JBIC (Japan Bank of International Cooperation, World Bank, creditor asing lain dan juga creditor dalam negeri?

 

1.        Kapan hutang-hutang ini akan dilunasi? Jangan cuma me-manage hutang-hutang itu saja, tambal sulam. Kalau nggak hutang Paul untuk bayar Peter, ganti hutang achong-achong untuk bayar Peter.

 

2.        Apakah Indonesia dan rakyatnya harus terus menerus menanggung hutang-hutang ini seumur hidup bahkan sampai anak cucu dari generasi ke generasi?

 

3.        Bernarkah para pemimpim kita hanya bisa tambal sulam dalam mengatasi masalah ini karena besarnya hutang dan ketidakmampuan mereka untuk mencari jalan pemecahanya?

 

4.        Kenapa hutang ini telah dibiarkan begitu lama mencekik leher bangsa Indonesia?

 

Kami tidak percaya bahwasanya masalah ini tidak bisa dipecahkan dan kami tidak bisa menerima bila hutang ini harus dibiarkan mencekik leher bangsa Indonesia lebih lama lagi. Sudah lebih dari 60 tahun, berapa lama lagi bangsa Indonesia harus menderita karena hutang negara dan ketidakmampuan generasi tua dalam mengelola sumber daya alam dan kekayaan negara Indonesia.

 

 

What is at stake for Indonesia with these massive Foreign and Domestic Debts?

 

The 1^st problem: Our debts are in US dollar and our currency is in Rupiah.

 

The loan repayments will INCREASE as the Rupiah continues to depreciate, make it much more challenging and difficult if not impossible TO PAY those massive debts OFF! This means that the ordinary people of Indonesia have to work MUCH and MUCH HARDER as tax payers to keep up with the increasing US currency. (Ibarat mengejar hutang yang naik Bus, tapi kita mengejarnya pakai sepeda. Tidak akan bisa nyampek-nyampek, malah semakin hari semakin ketinggalan jauh). 

 

The loan amounts as time goes by are not getting smaller but even bigger. That translates the much longer time needed for Indonesia to be able to pay off its massive foreign and domestic debts if not for a generation to come. What a blunder!

 

As one of those younger generations, I can not accept this reality and this is one of the reasons why I have been continuously confronting and raising this issue openly and publicly. I am challenging the current government and the parliament members to resolve this critical issue sooner than later. It is too important issue for the welfare of the Indonesia people at large!

 

The 2^nd problem: The Indonesia’s ability to pay these loans will DECLINE as the debt service ratio (DSR) has risen over the years from 33% in 1996 to 50% in 1998.  Even in 2008/2009 is still within 30%.

 

The ability to repay these debts will depend on EXPORTS, and exports are greatly dependent on “demand and supply.”

 

On the demand side, Indonesian market had about 64% in Asian region. But on the supply side, the real sector was very poor. This affects and will continue to affect the declining value of the Rupiah against other currencies, especially, the US currency. It is maybe catching up here and there, due to different reasons. But lack of supply in the real sector will minimize the ability of currency Rupiah to compete other currencies.  

 

Another issue is with virtually no significant ability from the Indonesian Government to stipulate domestic economy due to lack of funds because of these massive debts and monstrous Central Government spending which in 2008 absorb 77.88% of total APBN revenue, the trend continues and domestic consumption will have to be imported and thus eliminating the change for Indonesia in capturing its DOMESTIC EQUITY MARKET.

 

Double that with the Indonesian Government economic policies that has been primarily focusing on the macro-economy. The real sector was not only poor but significantly untouched! This factor alone translates the likelihood of declining and weakening the currency Rupiah against US Dollar and other currencies. With virtually no significant effort to capture much of the DOMESTIC EQUITY MARKET, it is only economic-formula that Indonesia will highly unlikely be able to establish bigger and broader MARKET CAPITALIZATION, one of the critical sectors that are needed to strengthen Rupiah currency.

 

In the absence of these two significant sectors, Domestic Equity Market and Market capitalization, it is only common sense that the currency Rupiah will most likely will continue to decline and weaken. This is a double deep. That means the ability for Indonesia to pay off its massive debts will take much and much longer time, beyond imaginable. The issues are massive!

 

Dengan kondisi ekonomi seperti ini, biar sampai elek ya nggak akan bisa melunasi hutang-hutang itu kalau kebijaksanaan pemerintahan selama ini hanya mengeluarkan long laundry list. It’s a pathetic reality that I can not bear to see it going much longer.

 

Who is paying the price?

 

No body else but those millions and millions ordinary poor Indonesian people who do not know the complexity of these massive debts, its ramification and the underlying issues facing the country. Because they are the one who will continue to suffer for many and many years to come unless this issue is resolved once and for all, sooner than later.

 

It is a sad reality that with this bad economy, there is no sound Government economic policy; it is either non-existence or chaotic that is undertaken to remedy this issue in a country that is so rich with natural resources.

 

The 3rd problem: “Because the required loan repayment is so large and so humongous, the potential and the funds needed to stipulate the economy are lacking. What does it mean?

 

That means as Indonesia is lacking of fund needed stipulate its domestic economy and to rebuild the broken infra structures due to her massive debts, this will make it impossible for Indonesia to improve its current condition. This condition triples already complicated the matters.

 

It is high possibility that the condition will likely to get worse each year as we have seen for the last 30 years with its currency value unless dramatic economic policy is undertaken. At best, the current administration will only maintain status quo, the situation that has been unchanged for over 35 years. Will you accept this reality for the next 5 years?

 

The 4^th problem: Such an immense debt stock could exacerbate adverse public perception and false expectations (false hopes).

 

This situation is just like a combustion chamber with high density, where a tiny spark can create an explosion burning the entire chamber, making Indonesia susceptible to external shock and turmoil. We have seen this happening in 1998.

 

The Indonesian people expect too much from their leaders to make a significant change of their life from poverty and difficulties, which is understandable and they have every right to expect that from their leaders. It makes sense. But what are not being known and understood are how massive these debts really are and what impact it has to the Indonesian government’s ability to govern with such an immense debt stock.

 

When those expectations do not arrive as hoped because it was false expectation and false hope at the first place anyway, people become anger and often times they express their anger toward other innocent people or minority who has nothing to do with the real issue as we have seen happening in 1998. These adverse public perceptions and false expectations are just like a combustion chamber that is ready to explode at any given time.

 

Knowing how critical and dangerous the issue really is, it is beyond any reasonable doubt that Indonesia’s massive foreign and domestic debt is the most pressing issue facing Indonesia at this time and this shall be the number #1 issue and a top priority for President SBY, his cabinet members and the Parliament to address it.

 

This is a clear danger just like ticking timed-bomb that must be resolved sooner than later. I can not say it any better and point it out this issue in much clear way than this to emphasize how critical the issues really are.

 

It is time for all of Indonesia’s politicians, members of the Parliament, President and Vice President of Indonesia and all cabinet Ministers to rise up to tackle those big issues and deliver results to the Indonesian people and not empty promises. Now is the time for a change and I am taking the 1^st step toward that direction. Maintaining status quo is just unacceptable proposition in such a critical time. We can do better and yes, we can! Because I believe that we are a capable nation!

 

Inilah tantangan dan tanggung jawab terbesar bagi para pemimpim rakyat mulai dari President, Wakil President, para Menteri Kabinet dan Wakil Rakyat di Parliamen dalam waktu 5 tahun kedepan (2009-2014).

 

Rakyat Indonesia menunggu hasil kerja pemerintah yang nyata dan hasil kerja yang nyata itu hanya akan bisa dicapai bila pemerintah memimilki program kerja yg konkrit dan comprehensive yg memiliki bench-marks dan timeline untuk memecahkan masalah kritis ini.

 

Rakyat Indonesia tidak ingin lagi dibohongi, rakyat Indonesia tidak ingin lagi melihat masalah ini ditunda-tunda karena masalah ini telah membelenggu kehidupan rakyat Indonesia lebih dari 35 tahun. Kami; rakyat Indonesia yg paham akan masalah ini memiliki pendapat dan jalan keluar. Karena itu kami menuntut agar program kerja pemerintah disebarluaskan agar kami memiliki kesempatan untuk mempelajari dan memperdebatkan program kerja itu.

 

Kami menginginkan agar hutang-hutang Indonesia yang begitu besar jumlahnya yang telah mencekik leher bangsa Indonesia bertahun-tahun dicari pemecahanya untuk diperkecil dan dihapuskan secepatnya.

 

2.     *Kurs Rupiah telah merosot nilainya terus menerus terhadap US dollar dalam waktu 30 tahun terakhir.

 

(What plans and actions plans do you have to address the weakening currency Rupiah for the last 30 years?)

 

 

Another false claim and false notion entertained by SBY’s Administration

 

The notion that is being entertained by the current administration to suggest that Indonesia’s currency Rupiah is stable or improved because they are able to maintain the currency value within Rp.10.000 equal to $1USD is really ridiculous! This is the most dire and hopeless claim I have ever heard or, simply a brain-washed as an attempt to manipulate perception.

 

In 1970’s, USD $1 equal to Rp. 400 and in 1980’s $1USD equal to Rp.650. Now in 2009; 30 years later, $1USD is equal to what? Rp.10.000…? This indicates that the economic condition in Indonesia compared to the economic condition in the USA is 10X times worse or weaken. To suggest that maintaining currency Rupiah to stand at Rp.10.000 equal to $1USD okay and acceptable is simply ridiculous, isn’t it! So, stop entertaining such a false notion!

 

The currency improvement was there because Indonesia was at the bottom before. At one point, $1 USD was equal to Rp. 15.000. It is ridiculously unfounded that Indonesia currency Rupiah is claimed getting better. No, it is not. It’s 10 x (ten times) worse or, weakens for the last 30 years. This is undeniable fact!

 

 

THE UNDERLYING ISSUES

 

It is worth of repeating the answers because the important of this issue. As I said above, Indonesia is in massive debt trap. You can deny it all day long and come up with an excuse that Indonesia’s debts is still within 30% of APBN and its interest payment is still within 2% of APBN and thus the overall debts is still manageable.

 

The problem with this assertion is how long are we going to pay off these massive debts? As a country, are we going to keep paying these massive debts payment for many and many more years to come? Isn’t there a better way to address this issue?

 

The 1^st problem: Our debts are in US dollar and our currency is in Rupiah.

 

The 2^nd problem: The Indonesia’s ability to pay these loans will DECLINE as the debt service ratio (DSR) has risen over the years from 33% in 1996 to 50% in 1998.  Even in 2008/2009 is still within 30%.

 

The 3rd problem: Because the required loan repayment is so large and so humongous, the potential of having the funds needed to stipulate the domestic economy are lacking. What does it mean?

 

The 4^th problem: Such an immense debt stock could exacerbate adverse public perception and false expectations (false hopes).

 

Improving Indonesian economy will tied down respectfully with the effort of improving its currency (Rupiah). And for this effort to succeed, there are many sectors of government that has to be harmonized and managed. Even the effort of reducing the unemployment and poverty elevation can be remedied at the same time when currency Rupiah is improved. Why?

 

Because to improve Indonesian currency Rupiah against US Dollar and other Foreign currencies will involve and revolve around improving Domestic Equity Market and Market Capitalization. This will take tremendous amount of hard works and efforts as well as cooperation from all across sector of Government offices. Not only within the government departments, institutions and banking industries but also government economic policies that must be harmonized and tailored to achieve one common goal, but also from law enforcement and Judicial System to uphold the rule of law and not the rule of man to establish order and sense of security for foreign investors to invest in Indonesia. The works are tremendous to improve a currency of a country. It is definitely not only from economic sector alone, but also from overall government operations.

 

But again, regardless how complex and perplexing it may seem, it is workable and achievable. This is the job of our leaders and representatives to address it. We; the people of Indonesia want to see them taking action sooner than later. Because the issue is very critical and having direct impact to the life of millions people.

 

3.     *Pemerintah Pusat Terlalu Boros!

 

(What plans and actions plan do you have to cut the central government spending that has taken about 70% total national budget (APBN) for the last 5 years?).

 

Kenapa SBY Administrasi ke II bukan mengurangi pengeluaraan pemerintah pusat, malah memperbesar? Dimana tanggung-jawab Presiden SBY? Tidak mengertikah Presiden SBY dengan kritikal issue yang dihadapi Bangsa dan Negara Indonesia?

 

Tahun 2008, pemerintah pusat telah memakan 77.88% dari total pendapatan APBN. Sementara itu sisa dana APBN sebesar 22.12% (APBN) dibagai-bagi ke 33 daerah di tingkat propinsi dan harus dibagi-bagi lagi ke bawah ke 491 pemerintah di tingkat kota, 5,263 pemerinthan di tingkat kecamatan dan 69,919 pemerinthan di tingkat desa.

 

Bukankah percentase pengeluaran dan alokasi dana APBN ini seharusnya di balik dimana pemerintah daerah memilki dana alokasi lebih besar daripada pemerintah pusat atau paling tidak harus proporsional? Apalagi dengan terus berjalanya kebijaksaan autonomi daerah?

 

 

Bloated Members of Executive and Members of Parliament

 

Study Comparison:

 

United States of America (USA) as a country had GDP as big as $14.4 trillions in 2008, about 13 times bigger than Indonesia where Indonesia in 2008 had $ 915.9 billion in GDP. That is GDP comparison.

 

Now territorial wise, USA is about 9 times bigger than Indonesia, where USA has 9,826,630 km2 (or 3,794,066 sq mile) and Indonesia has 1.919.440 km2 (or 3.794.066 Sq mile). Now look at how many members of US Congress has?

 

It has only 535 members, which includes 100 Senators (2 Senator from each States) and 435 congressmen/women from 435 different district across USA. That is USA being a country that has such a monstrous market capitalization in the world and humongous domestic equity market. Now look at how many members of Parliament (DPR/MPR/DPD) Indonesia has?

 

It has 692 members, which are 560 total members of the Parliament (DPR/MPR) and another 132 members of DPD. That is 157 members more than member of US Congress. Go figure!

 

Indonesia as being a smaller country, much smaller country about 13 times smaller in GDP and 9 times smaller in territorial size but is having 157 more members of legislative than member of US Congress?

What is wrong with this picture? This is not it. Let me give the bigger picture and how massive government Indonesia really is.

 

On top of those bloated figures, Indonesia is the only country on Earth that has so many Menteri, Assistant Menteri, Direktur Jendral, Inspektur Jendral, Assistant Dirjen dan Assistant Irjen, and plus KPK, KPU all across the nation from top Central Government down to the local municipality at City, District and Sub-District level.

 

Double that with additional members of the government what’s so called: Tenaga Ahli (The experts), Watimpres and wakil Menteri! Don’t be surprised that some of those Ministers, Members of Parliament and other Government Officials have more than 1 tenaga ahli (the expert).

 

Triple that with the establishment of over 50 different commissions in the last decade. In terms of size, Indonesian government is really big if not monstrous. Do you surprise why the Central Government absorbed and spent over 77% of its GDP.

 

Knowing all these wasteful spending, President SBY in stead of reducing his Cabinet Ministers, he even increased the number of his 2^nd Cabinet Ministers on top of additional 10 vice or wakil Minister and member of Watimpres.  What doesn’t he understand?

 

One of the new phenomenons during this era of reformation in Indonesia is the growing establishment of the so called: INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS outside the work of Executive, Legislative and Judicative Branch of Government. For the last decade there are at least 50 different commissions have been established. Just to name a few of them:

 

a). In the absence of public trust toward the Indonesian government officials on public transparency, the OMBUDSMAN Commission was established to undertake the job of public oversight.

 

b). In the absence public trust toward the Indonesian’s law enforcements to undertake on human rights violations, KOMNAS HAM was established.

 

c). In the absence of public trust toward Indonesian’s Justice System that is so corrupt, KPK (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi) was established.

 

Imagine how many layers Government and number of personnel does Indonesia have?

The very troubling corruption madness in almost every level of government offices, especially at the Judicial System of Government was an issue that triggers the establishment of this KPK. And because the justice system in Indonesia does not function and work as it is meant to be, KPK was established to undertake the job in combating corruption. It is understandable and makes sense from the need stand point!

 

Lack of enforcement on the rule of laws and continuing power abuses tripled the problems. KPK (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi) was then established to address such a need in response to public outcry.  But creating such commissions is also creating a new layer of government on top of layers after layers that are already there draining much of the Indonesia’s financial resources (APBN).

 

In the absence of judicial system ability to function fairly and independently, KPU (Komisi Pemilihan Umum) was established to monitor, regulate and oversee the general and presidential election process. Even though KPU has been functioning as it was intended to be, it has no enforcement authority.

 

The 2004 election, Golkar party was the biggest violator on KPU regulations but because this commission does not have either Executive, Legislative or Judicial authority to enforce the law, there was nothing that KPU could do to hold Golkar party accountable and imposed punishment accordingly.

 

This is a new government office that was claimed to be absolute and independent entity but was unable to punish the violators. What does that say and prove?

 

Violations in the 2009 elections were also reported to continue to occur. What POLRI and KPU did to hold the violators accountable? No much. The problem here is that POLRI is under President’s power grip. For POLRI to take on the sitting President’s Party or the Commander in Chief himself is highly unlikely. This is another lame duck government entity that is function-able but lack of enforcement and authority.

 

If we look at the job of KPK and KPU, it is clearly still within the framework of judicial system of Government. And because one branch of Government does not work, an alternative was established. I can accept that and that was not too unfortunate step taken since the judicial system was completely untrustworthy.

 

I don’t disagree in terms of the intention and the spirit of establishing those commissions and other entities.

 

But maintaining broken entities or institutions to exist and keeping these commissions the way they are, with lack of enforcements while creating more and more layers of government is unwise policy and uneconomic in nature. The broken entities must be dissolved or at the very least to be dramatically reformed to minimize the government spending.

 

This is something that SBY’a administration does not do during his 1^st term and likely on his 2^nd term. It’s sobering and phatetic reality that shall be challenged openly and publicly.

 

The other option that can be taken momentarily to remedy the issue is by keeping KPK and KPU the way they are as independent and separated entities. Consequently, the size of Judicial System and Law Enforcement must be dramatically reduced to compensate both commissions in terms of cost and number of personnel.  This is one of the ways to minimize central government spending.

 

Understanding this issue, it is now the time for the Indonesian Government to gradually reform judicial system and place KPK/KPU back within that framework or the wing of Judicial System with its Judicial Authority. The executive and legislative branch of Government must work together to reform Indonesia’s judicial system to be corrupt and bribery free as well as to be absolute independent. Otherwise, fixing the bigger issues will be impossible.

 

Keeping the spirit of check and balance between “Cicak vs. Buaya”; between KPK vs. POLRI.

 

In the wake of the recent political debacle in Indonesia between KPK and POLRI and the public sentiment toward President SBY’s involvement on the matter that there was collaborated attempts to marginalize the power of KPK through POLRI and the Office for Counsel of Prosecution (KEJAKSAAN) have become a political issue that can not be ignored. If President SBY is unable to fairly address the issue publicly and openly, his reputation to gain public trust will be diminishing.

 

What so great about Democracy government is the establishment of open competition amongst the members of the branches of government and other institution within the government affairs to do what is just and fair under the rule of law and not under the rule of man.

 

The recent arrest by POLRI of 2 prominent members of KPK; Mr. Bibit S. Rianto and Mr. Chandra M. Hamzah, was an example of check and balance that shall be upheld under democratic government with one condition that any arrest of citizen by POLRI, KPK or other Judiciaries, a probably cause must first be established and an arrest warrant must be obtained from the Court. So, the arrest has to be an order from the Court and it is not in itself the power of POLRI, or KPK or other judiciaries.

 

Once an arrest warrant is obtained from the Court, POLRI, KPK or other Judiciaries have every legal ground uphold the rule of law by arresting those individuals regardless who they are.

 

The next critical action that must be followed is that under Habeas Corpus, Declaration of Human Rights and other International documents require that once a person is detained or arrested by an authority, within 3 days after the arrest takes place, the charge (s) must be submitted in the Court of law against that person.

 

No entity shall be allowed to arrest any citizen longer than 3 days without any charge being submitted in the Court of law. If after 3 days no charge (s) being submitted against that person under the Court of law, that person must be released.

 

In the arrest members of KPK; Mr. Bibit S. Rianto and Mr. Chandra M. Hamzah, now POLRI has an obligation to submit the charge (s) against Mr. Bibit S. Rianto and Mr. Chandra M. Hamzah after 3 days they were arrested in the Court of law. The Court then will have to decide whether these individuals guilty or not. If they are, the will go to jail and if not, they will have to be set free.

 

This is the establishment of justice in a democratic government under the rule of law and not under the rule of man. The action by President SBY not to get involved or be part of the process in this matter is correct. This issue belongs to Judicial System of Government and the Executive Branch shall stay away from it. The action by President SBY to immediately appoint the replacement of these two individuals to undertake their tasks at KPK in their absence due to this arrest is also correct.

 

In a nutshell, President SBY action was not done with the intention to marginalize the power of KPK, but it is to continue the work of KPK and to maintain check and balance between KPK and POLRI. Secondly, President SBY’s actions show and demonstrate being President of the country he is in charge the Executive Branch of Government, not Legislative or Judicative and that no one shall be above the law including members of KPK.

 

However, the action by President SBY to encourage or order POLRI and the Counsel Office for Prosecution (Kejaksaan) to resolve this issue outside the Judicial System is wrong and in violation of the spirit of Democratic Government that recognizes boundaries and separation between Judicial System and The Executive Branch. Any members of Parliament can take on this issue should they wish to cite a legal and constitutional ground under democratic principle that President SBY is overstepping his authority as the Head of the Executive Branch on this issue.

 

With this situation occurred, I strongly believe that now members of KPK and members of POLRI will continue to compete and this competition in itself will establish “check and balance” between the two government entities. When government entities are competing in justice and goodness, the people get the benefits. This is the spirit of check and balance that shall be upheld. That is good and that is very healthy in democratic society!  

 

With a notion that everyone is innocent until proven guilty under the Court of law, the people shall wait and see what kind of case and evident POLRI have against Mr. Bibit S. Rianto and Mr. Chandra M. Hamzah. We will also see what kind of defend these 2 individuals have in the Court of law.

 

The judicial system shall be allowed to proceed and let’s the court system justify and decide the matter. Once the decision is made on the matter, the public can then reassess the situation and do what is necessary to response the verdict. If the allegation is proven to be false and fabricated, then the President has every obligation to reform POLRI and the Office of Counsel for Prosecution (KEJAKSAAN) as well as other judiciaries related to this matter that is corrupt and broken. Again, Democracy is a government based on the rule of law, and not the rule of man.

 

Unfortunately, the case has been resolved and remedied in line with the executive order of the President to settle the case outside the court. We did not see the court proceeding to take place! That in itself is wrong and undemocratic! Even though that decision may seem beneficial, but it is in violation of justice, the rule of law and democratic principles. Those legal issues shall be decided under the rule of law, in the judicial system by court order and not under the rule of man.

 

This case should be a guiding example for those commissions or other public oversight agencies in Indonesia to undertake public oversight to oversee the work of government officials, Representative and other government entities to demand and to play role in establishing transparency, check and balance for all government’s bodies and institutions. When businesses or government institutions compete, people get benefits. This kind of competition shall be upheld and promote more in Indonesia.

Below is the breakdown of Cabinet Minister’s establishment during the era of reformation from (1999 to 2014):

 

A) *President Abdurrahman Wahid Administration (1999- 2001) - Tiga kali perombakan cabinet

 

# 36 MENTERI DAN PEJABAT SETINGKAT MENTERI
# PARPOL (20 ORANG)
# NON-PARPOL (16 ORANG)

*Didukung oleh koalisi PDIP, PKB, Golkar, PPP, PAN, dan Partai Keadilan. Presdient Abdurrahman jatuh karena dimakzulkan / impeached by DPR. Ketika itu, DPR mengajukan hak angket atas penyalahgunaan dana Bulog dan penyelewengan bantuan Sultan Brunei.

 

B) *President Megawati Soekarnoputri Adminsitration (2001-2004)*

 

# 34 MENTERI DAN PEJABAT SETINGKAT MENTERI
# PARPOL (14 ORANG)
# NON-PARPOL (20 ORANG)
*Didukung oleh koalisi PDIP, PPP, PKB, Golkar, PBB, dan PAN.

 

C) *President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Adminsitration - I Term (2004-2009)* Dua kali perombakan cabinet

 

# 38 MENTERI DAN PEJABAT SETINGKAT MENTERI
# PARPOL (17 ORANG)
# NON-PARPOL (21 ORANG)

# Semula hanya didukung Partai Demokrat, PKS, PBB, dan PKPI. Belakangan
bergabung Golkar, PPP, PKB, dan PAN. Meski resminya didukung banyak
partai, pemerintah pernah digoyang DPR melalui penggunaan hak angket
atas kasus impor beras dan kenaikan harga BBM, tapi rencana itu batal
dilaksanakan.

 

D) *Presdient Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Administration - II Term (2009-2014)*

# 40 MENTERI DAN PEJABAT SETINGKAT MENTERI
# PARPOL (20 ORANG)
# NON-PARPOL (20 ORANG)

# 9 Wakil Menteri (awalnya 11 wakil menteri diusulkan)

# 9 Anggota Watimpres

# Didukung oleh mayoritas partai di DPR kecuali PDIP, Hanura, dan Gerindra. Dua yang terakhir adalah partai kecil.

 

 

With all due respect to our elected President SBY’s attempts to fix the problems, it shows that President SBY does not care with the bloated figure of his administration and the central government spending where in 2008 took 77.88% of total national revenue (APBN). In stead of reducing the number of his Cabinet Ministers during his second administration, he even increased the number from 38 members to 40 members.

 

It shows that President SBY ignores the issue even though so many people including myself have pointed this out openly and publicly. With that massive cabinet minister’s establishment, he will continue spending much of the National Budget (APBN) to fund the central Government. What a tragic! This is an issue that can not be left unresolved much longer.     

 

Do you know how much the salary for each of those Parliament members and other government officials have and plus tunjangan here and there; this and that, gaji kehormatan dan permintaan cicin emas sebagai kenangan dimasa habis jabatan, etc? Check out this link:

 

http://parmadim.com/category/democracy-or-demo-crazy/

 

Gaji kehormatan? That was a real crack-up when we discovered this. Who came up with this idea to give an extra gaji Kerhormatan to Representatives of the people? What kehormatan that Representatives have or have shown that deserved to get extra gaji? Didn’t you hear lately that they want their salary increased? How about Ministers’ demand and insistence to drive Toyota Crown Majesta? 

 

Who also came up with an idea that members of parliament have to be over 500 or 600, or 700 people? Is this a remnant of ORDE BARU?

 

Why not slash it in half and make members of Parliament smaller and can work more effective and efficient? Did you get the picture why the Central Government drained much of the National Budget, which was in 2008 took 77.88% of total APBN revenue?  That is outrageous. This has to change!

 

The sad part is the fact up to today as I drafted this letter that there is no indication either from the President or, from Parliament to address this issue. We; the people of Indonesia, may have to come together to undertake peaceful movement in the main-street across the country to demand such a change!!! If there is a massive demonstration in the streets of Indonesia, these are the issues that they should fight for.

 

I hope we don’t have to come to this. The Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch of Government shall work together to address these issues for the betterment of the country. A dramatic change and reduction in terms of total personnel in the Parliament and the Executive Branch must be undertaken prior to the next general election 2014. For that matter, a new bill must be introduced in the Parliament to address those issues.

         

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND THE PRESIDENCY

 

Yang menjadi issue adalah mekanisme PILPRES (Pemilihan Presiden) yg telah dimanipulasi oleh partai politik. Adanya undang-undang agar President harus dibawa/diajukan oleh satu partai politik dan dimana partai politik ini harus memiliki paling tidak 20% suara di Parliamen adalah bertentangan dengan prinsip-prinsip demokrasi dan tidak in the best interest of the people.

 

Dengan syarat ini jelas, tidak semua warga negara Indonesia bisa mencalonkan diri untuk menjadi Presiden Indonesia. Untuk mencalonkan diri menjadi CAPRES (Calon Presiden), warga negara ini harus paling tidak menjadi kepala Partai Politik dulu, satu syarat yg secara moral dan konstitusional tidak masuk akal. Karena syarat ini pula membuat CAPRES yg kebanyakan Kepala Partai Politik harus berkoalisi dgn partai lain untuk memenuhi syarat quota 20% suara di Parliamen, akibatnya kontrak politik harus dibuat seperti pembagian kursi menteri di kabinet.

 

Akibatnya ya seperti yg kita lihat dgn Presiden SBY harus bagi-bagi kursi menteri dengan partai politk pendukungnya dan seperti yg kita lihat mereka yg duduk di kursi menteri kebanyakan orang-orang dari Partai koalisi entah mereka punya qualitas kemampuan atau tidak untuk menduduki jabatan tsb. karena itu, undang-undang ini yg mengharuskan CAPRES harus diajukan oleh PARPOL yg memiliki 20% suara di parliamen harus di HAPUSKAN.

 

Lebih dari itu, agar Presiden Indonesia tidak menjadi LAME DUCK PRESIDEN (tidak memiliki kekuatan dibanding Parliamen), maka Presiden Indonesia harus diberikan HAK VETO hingga kekuasaan Presiden seimbang dengan kekuasaan Legislative dan CAPRES tidak lagi harus diajukan oleh PARPOL yg harus memiliki 20% suara di Parliamen. Kalau CAPRES ini menang dalam pemilu, CAPRES ini bisa dengan bebas memimilih dan menentukan siapa-siapa yg akan duduk di kabinetnya tanpa harus mendapat tekanan politik dari koalisi partai lain. Dari sini barulah kita bisa mengharapakan Presiden akan bisa bebas memilih orang-orang yg dipandangnya qualified for the job untuk menduduki jabatan menteri membantu kerja Presiden.

 

Disinilah pentingnya mengarahkan process demokrasi di lapangan agar semua langkah dan process demokrasi diarahkan demi membela kepentingan RAKYAT, dan bukanya demi kepentingan Partai Politik dan beberapa golongan elites.

 

KENAPA PARTAI POLITIK CENDERUNG BERKONGKALIKONG DAN BER KOALI DENGAN PEMERINTAH.

 

APAKAH PARTAI POLITIK SEKEDAR ALAT DAN EKSES UNTUK MENDAPAT CEPERAN DANA DARI APBN?

 

Rakyat perlu mempertajam mata dan telingga untuk melihat sepak terjang para politisi dan Partai Politik.

 

Partai dan anggota Partai perlu uang yg besar untuk menjaga kelangsungan hidup mereka, yakni untuk membiayai kegiatan-kegiatan politiknya, keperluan memobilisasi politik dan keperluan pribadi. 

 

Karena itulah politisi ini secara bersama melakukan kolonisasi (penjajahan) terhadap kabinet pemerintahan dan kepemimpinan di DPR karena posisi-posisi itu menyediakan sumber uang atau rente ekonomi. Sumber uang terbesar bagi seorang politisi dan partai politik adalah dari pemerintah yang tidak lain adalah dana APBN (uang rakyat) yang akan dibagi-bagi sebagai dana alokasi program kerja dan mereka yang punya urusan dengan Pemerintah dan Parliamen.

 

Dengan bergabung dengan koalisi yg duduk di DPR dan menguasi pemerintahan, sudah tentu partai politik ini akan dapat cipatran duit entah itu directly ataupun indirectly.

 

Disinlah mengapa, Partai Politik di Indonesia cenderung berkolusi ketimbang berkompetisi. Mereka membentuk sebuah kelompok yang memiliki kecenderungan untuk melayani diri sendiri dibandingkan secara individual mencoba membela dan mewakili beragam kepentingan kolektif yang ada di masyarakat. Maka jangan heran kalau kita melihat para politisi dan partai politik Indonesia yg hanya berpura-pura membela kepentingan rakyat terutama di masa Kampanye, tapi dalam prakteknya hanya membela kepentingan partai dan diri sendiri.

 

Akibatnya:

 

a). Kebanyakan Partai Politik Indonesia tidak memiliki citra dan mau memegang teguh semangat ideologi partai sebagi factor penentu prilaku partai. Dengan iming-iming jabatan jadi ketua MPR atau DPR atau Menteri misalnya, ideologi itu lenyap di udara dalam sekejap. Lihat saja apa yg terjadi akhir-akhir ini dengan pembentukan cabinet Menteri Adminsitrasi SBY ke II.

 

b). Kepala Partai sendiri tidak memiliki kekuatan untuk melarang anggotanya untuk TIDAK bergabung dalam kolasi sebab dalam contest CALEG misalnya, anggota Partai harus keluar uang saku yang banyak dan bila anggota partai ini dapat tawaran dari Partai yg berkuasa, mau tidak mau mau kepala Partai harus mengizinkanya karena memang banyak man’faatnya baik bagi kader partai itu sendiri maupun bagi Partai Politik. Permintaan izin dari ketua Partai hanya formalitas untuk tidak memalukan Kepala dan citra Partai dimata publik. Tapi semuanya itu mudah di baca.

 

c). Dengan ganguan uang, jabatan dan kekuasaan ini semangat oposisi hilang, kecuali bagi mereka para politisi sejati yang memiliki nyali dan tekad untuk membela kepentingan rakyat. Lebih parah lagi, partai yg berkuasa tahu dan sangat pandai mengunakan A’s card ini untuk membentuk koalisi pemerintahan yg tidak lain adalah demi kepentingan individuals dan Partai.

 

d). Betapa naivenya bila dimasa kampanye rakyat dicegoki dan dimabuki dengan slogan-slogan ideology partai, tapi dalam prakteknya setelah pemilu setelah dan kalah pemilu, para politisi ini begitu mudah melupakan ideology partai dan kepentingan rakyat yg harus dibela dan berani menjadi opisisi. Sehingga hasil pemilu hampir-hampir tidak ada pengaruhnya dalam menentukan sikap dan prilaku partai politik, apalagi mau membela kepentingan rakyat.

 

e). Mayoritas kalau tidak semua calon anggota Legislative (CALEG) adalah KADER partai politik dan bukanya KADER daerah. Mereka betul-betul lengket dan dididik untuk memperjuangakan kepentingan Partai Politik dan bukanya kepentingan konstituen atau rakyat. Dan setelah dipilih menjadi anggota DPR, tak satupun dari wakil rakyat ini yang memiliki kantor independent sendiri diluar Partai bagi rakyat untuk bisa mengadu nasib dan tukar pendapat dengan para wakilnya, sehingga kesinanbugan antara wakil rakayt dan rakyat tidak terjalin dan tidak ada setelah pemilu berakhir.

 

f). Pada akhirnya rakyat hanya bisa jadi penonton atau spectator Democarcy setelah pemilu selesai. Apa yang rakyat harapakan dari wakil rakyat dan partai oposisi memperjuankan kepentingan rakyat hilang ditelan angin karena para politisi ini cenderung bertindak secara kolektive sebagai satu kelompok membela kepentingan mereka masing-masing.

 

Kompetisi antar partai politik yang hadir dalam arena politik menghilang begitu partai politik memasuki arena pemerintahan (pembentukan kabinet) dan arena legislatif. Komitmen ideologis partai memudar seketika saat mereka membentuk koalisi pemerintahan.

 

Harapan rakyat untuk memiliki seorang politisi secara individu yg berani tampil kedepan membela kepentingan rakyat hanyalah mimpi disiang bolong. Kepentingan partai dan kepentingan individu terlalu dominan meski politisi ini sadar bahwasanya mereka dipilih oleh rakyat untuk membela kepentingan rakyat dan bukanya kepentingan Partai, gologan tertentu atau kepentingan pribadi!

 

g). Para politisi yg mengaku sebagai pembela kepentingan rakyat dalam musim kampanye dan kalah dalam pemilu, cenderung berdiam diri setelah pemilihan umum berakhir. Semangat dan ideology mereka hanya tampak dalam masa kampanye yg ingin mendapatkan suara dan jabatan dengan embel-embel membela kepentingan rakyat. Namun setelah kalah dalam pemilu, mereka hanya berdiam diri.

 

Hal ini secara langsung maupun tidak lansung menciptakan praduga dan kesimpulan sebagai politisi pembohong rakyat dan bukannya pembela kepentingan rakyat. Bukankah semangat kerja dan ideologi partai atau ideology pribadi itu bisa diperjuangankan setelah pemilihan umum selesai? Akibatnya rakyat betul-betul jenuh dengan realitas politik seperti ini dan sebagian memilih menjadi GOLPUT sebab hasil pemilu hampir-hampir tidak ada bedanya.

 

h). Dari prilaku para politisi ini mencerminkan satu refleksi yang sangat jelas bahwasanya politik di Indonesia masih diwarnai sebagai ajang batu locatan bagi para politisi untuk mendapatkan jabatan baru, status yang lebih tinggi sambil memgumpulkan capital yang lebih besar dan bukanya sebagai ajang pengabdian terhadap negara dan bangsa. Pada akhirnya rakyat hanya disodorkan satu fakta yang sangat tidak menyenangkan dan mengutungkan bahwasanya para politisi Indonesia hanya mengunakan Partai Politik sebagai tujuan dan negara sebagi alatnya simana APBN (uang rakyat) adalah sumber pengahasilan mereka.  Betapa tragic dan ironi-nya bagi rakyat Indonesia!

 

Semua loopholes ini perlu di tutup dan dicari penyelesainya agar kepentigan rakyat tidak didominasi oleh kepentingan Partai Politk, agar dana APBN benar-benar disalurkan untuk kepentingan rakyat dan bukanya di ogroh-ogroh dan diodol-odol oleh oknum-oknum dan kepentingan Partai Politik.

 

Disinilah pentingnya menciptakan PUBLIC OVERSIGHT di Parliamen untuk memonitor program kerja, rapat umum dan hearings yg dilakukan oleh anggota Komisi DPR. Ini adalah tugas utama dari Media Masa dan Wartawan Indonesia untuk selalu mengikuti, memonitor dan melaporkan hasil kerja anggota komisi dan pejabat negara kepada rakyat secara regular.

 

Hal ini bisa dilakukan dengan cara meliput rapat-rapat dari anggota komisi DPR dan kemudian menyiarkan langsung atau menyusul dari rapat-rapat itu secara regular di TV swasta mereka disamping juga oleh TV pemerintah. Sudah saatnya SEKJEN DPR memiliki TV crew sendiri dan channel khusus dari Pemerintah untuk menyiarkan kerja SPR. Sehingga kerja KOMISI tidak lagi tertutup dan mereka yang punya urusan dengan Parliamen dan Pemerintah Indonesia tidak menjadi ajang pemerasan dan sumber ekonomi bagi para anggota komisi DPR dan Pejabat Negara.

 

Tugas wartawan dan media masa Indonesia adalah menciptakan transparency, check and balance dan secrecy (keharasiaan) dari kerja Komisi DPR bisa dihapuskan. Perlu diingat bahwasanya RAKYAT INDONESIA memiliki HAK unutk mengethaui dan diberitahu. Hal ini juga akan mengurangi kesempatan terjadinya bribes dan korupsi bagi anggota komisi DPR. Karena itu hearing dari KOMISI DPR tidak boleh dilakukan secara tertutup kecuali untuk hearing atas rahasia negara.

 

Kesempatan dan kemungkinan bagi anggota KOMISI DPR untuk mencari nafkah diluar gaji bulanan melalui cara-cara pemerasan dan bribery dari mereka yg sedang menghadapi masalah maupun dari mereka yang punya urusan dengan pemerintah perlu diperkecil, diperangi dan dihilangkan. Salah satu cara effective unutk memerangi tindakan criminal ini adalah membuka dan menyiarkan rapat-rapat itu secara umum dan terbuka kepada masyarakat luas. Teman akrab korupsi dan bribery adalah secrecy (kerahasiaan), karena itu keharasiaaan dari kerja anggota KOMISI perlu dilarang.

 

SERIAL MEETING bagi anggota KOMISI DPR dengan mereka yg punya masalah hokum maupun perdata dan mereka yang punya urusan urusan (interest) dengan kerja komisi perlu juga di larang. Segala lope-holes yag ada untuk mengurangi dan menghilangkan kesempatan bagi anggota komisi DPR untuk memeras dan menerima bribery perlu diperkecil dan dihilangkan baik dengan membuat aturan baru maupun dari lipitan kerja wartawan.

 

4) *Bikin Surplus atau paling tidak balancing National Budget (APBN) selama 5 tahun mendatang?

 

(What plans and action plans do you have to be undertaken to balance National Budget (APBN) during the next 5 years in your administration and how?)

 

There should be a new law introduced in Indonesia to mandate and that every new administration must balance its national budge, regardless. That will prevent Indonesia from having deeper and deeper debts! This maybe sounds crazy at this current time knowing that Indonesia is in a deep debt trap left alone of balancing its budget. But this is important step if Indonesia is serious about eliminating the debts. Why?

 

Because in the absence of any law regulating such a requirement to balance the national budget, President of Indonesia will continue to ignore the central government spending and will continue to generate deficit year after year. There will be no pressure for the President to streamlining his/her Cabinet Minister. The will be no pressure for the President and other government institutions such as BUMN to be profitable oriented. There is no regulation in place to force the central government to work toward that direction, eliminating Indonesia’s massive debts. This is one of the ways. Make a new law that requires President Indonesia to balance his/her national budget (APBN) every year or having a surplus if possible.

 

That is why I have been advocating that Indonesia must resolve its massive debts once and for all. Unless we take this step to resolve these critical issues, I don’t know how anyone can pronounce any significant changes are going to happen on the ground. Eliminating those massive debts shall be the 1^st priority because these debts have tangled Indonesia’s ability to elevate poverty, provide much of the needed public services, improve infrastructures and minimize unemployment for a very long time over 35 years.

 

How many more decades do Indonesian people have to wait and suffer? Well, unless Indonesia is taking dramatic action in regard to resolving these massive debts,, I don’t see how a significant change is going to be achieved? With PARIS CLUB alone will take 40 years. How about other foreign and domestic debts with other creditors? Will it take a generation or much longer? If Indonesia national budget is never balanced and always in deficit for billions and billions dollar each year, what in the world Indonesia is going to pay off her massive debts? What a mess!

 

5). *Memelihara keberadaan badan Executive, Legislative dan Judicative Branch of Government untuk tetap exist, co-equal, independent, absolute, dispersed and decentralized untuk menpertahankan pemerintahan yang terbuka (transparent) dengan menciptakan system “check and balance” dalam pemeritahan Demokrasi dengan menghormati dan menegakan public oversight role oleh Media dan rakyat secara luas.

 

(What plans and actions do you have to maintain the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branch of Government to remain exist, independent, absolute, dispersed and decentralized but co-equal in an effort to create transparency in the government affairs by maintaining system check and balance in the government and respecting the role of public oversight by the Media and the people at large?)

 

Selama ini Demokrasi di Indonesia telah berjalan cukup baik, namun ada berapa hal yang perlu diperbaiki dimana kekuasan pemerintah perlu di bagi-bagi (dispersed or, decentralized) untuk menempatkan agar Legislative, Executive dan Judicial Branch of Government bisa exist, co-equal, independent, absolute, dispersed and decentralized.  

 

Sampai detik ini, President Indonesia sebagai the Head of Executive Branch dan Commander in Chief tidak memiliki HAK VETO yang membuat Legislative Branch lebih tinggi kekuasaanya dari pada Executive Branch. Hal ini tidak benar dalam pemerintahan Demokrasi dan perlu dirubah. Saya usulkan agar HAK VETO President diberikan dan undang-undangkan. 

 

Disamping itu juga, Parliamen Indonesia tidak memiliki wewenang untuk menbatalkan (to vacate) keputusan Mahkamah Agung dan Mahkamah Konstitusi. Karena tanpa hal itu, membuat Mahkamah Agung, Mahkamah Konstitusi atau Judicial Branch of Government di Indonesia memiliki kekuasaan lebih tinggi dari Legislative Branch dan Parliamen Indonesia. Hal ini juga tidak benar dalam Democratic Government dan harus dirubah.

 

Dalam Demokrasi, tidak boleh ada satupun branch of Government yg memiliki kekuatan dan kekuasaan mutlak, tanpa adanya check and balance. Mereka bisa menganbil keputusan secara mutlak dan independent tapi keputusan itu harus masih bisa di checked and balanced dengan mekanisme Demokrasi atau yang lebih dikenal dengan Co-Interdependence. Disinilah makna dan penting nya HAK VETO Presiden dan HAK Legislative untuk melewati (OVERRIDE) hak veto Presiden dengan mekanisme Demokrasi yang ada.

 

3 Cabang pemerintahan itu ada dan didesigned agar saling ketergantungan dan memiliki kekuatan yg sejajar. Mereka yang duduk di Mahkamah Agung dan Mahkamah Konstitusi adalah appointed position (atau di tunjuk) dan tidak semestinya memiliki kekuasaan melebihi mereka yang dipilih langsung oleh rakyat (elected position) seperti Parliamen atau Executive Branch.

 

Saya usulkan agar Parliamen Indonesia diberi hak untuk membatalkan (to nullify) keputusan Mahkamah Agung maupun keputusan dari Mahkamah Konstitusi dengan ¾ suara menyetujuinya, bila ada keputusan Mahkamah Agung maupun keputusan Mahkamah Konstitusi yang dirasa tidak bermanfaat bagi negara dan bangsa Indonesia seperti demi menyelamatkan negara dari perpecahan, perang saudara, dsb. Hak ini perlu ajukan dan diundang-undangkan.

 

Mahkamah Konstitusi dan Mahkamah Agung (Judicial System) juga seharusnya diberi wewenang untuk mengevaluasi dan membatalkan KEPRES dan PERPU (Executive Order) yang dianggap melanggar Pancasila, Konstitusi UUD 1945, Amendement UUD 1945 dan Undang-Undang lain yang ada. Hal ini bisa dilakukan dengan mengajukan KEPRES atau PERPU tersebut ke Mahkamah Konstitusi untuk diperdebatkan secara hukum.

 

Karena itulah betapa pentingnya bagi Indonesia untuk memperbaiki dan memiliki Judicial System (Jaksa-Jaksa) yang independent dengan cara men-scrutinize setiap calon Jaksa dalam pengangkatan Jaksa-Jaksa agar dapat menghasilkan Jaksa-Jaksa yang benar-benar tahu tugas dan tanggung jawab seorang Jaksa dalam mengemban amanat rakyat dan menjaga keseimbanagn negara dan bangsa yang komptetent dan qualified for the job.

 

“Judicial Test of Execelence” unutk meng-scrutinize bagi para calon Jaksa tinggi perlu perlu dilakukan secara intensif dan terus diperbaiki di Indonesia untuk menghasilkan seorang jaksa yang berkaliber, corrupt free and mengetahui fungsi dan riole seorang Jaksa tinggi.

 

Semuanya ini perlu diajukan dan diundang-undangkan untuk membuat Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branch of Government tetap exist, co-equal, independent, absolute, dispersed and decentralized dimana unsur check and balance diantara ke 3 branch of government ini bisa tetap dijamin dan pertahankan.

 

Lebih penting lagi undang-undang baru perlu diciptakan untuk melindungi undang-undang itu sendiri dengan menciptakan aturan baru yang melarang Menteri-Menteri, dan Non-Legislative Bodies, Offices atau Departments untuk tidak diperkenankan membuat aturan-aturan baru atau undang-undang baru yang mengikat rakyat atau kehidupan masyarakat.

 

Hanya badan Legislative-lah baik itu di tingkat pusat, propinsi dan kabupaten yang berhak membuat undang-undang baru yang sifatnya mengikat kehidupan dan kebebasan rakyat Indonesia secara menyeluruh. Legislative tingkat propinsi dan kota tidak boleh membuat aturan atau undang-undang baru yang sifatnya bertentangan dengan undang-undang dan aturan yang ada yang telah dikeluakan oleh Parliamen pusat atau Legislative Branch.

 

Legislative ditingkat propinsi dan tingkat kota dalam membuat undang-undang baru adalah semata-mata demi menyempurnaan undang-undang yang ada dalam pelaksanakanya dilapangan dimasing-masing daerah disesuaikan dengan tuntutan dan tantanagan dimasing-masing daerah demi menutup lopeholes yang ada dan menjaga kepentingan dan kedaulatan rakyat.

 

Kalau Menteri dan anggota disegenap Executive Branch of Government merasa perlu diciptakan undang-undang baru untuk mengatur hal-hal tertentu, maka mereka perlu mengusulkannya ke Legislative Branch. Mereka tidak sepantasnya diperbolehkan untuk bikin undang-undagn baru dengan sendirinya.

 

They are appointed officials and not elected official and for that matter, they have no MANDATE from the people and can not make a new law. Mereka hanya diperbolehkan membuat aturan baru sebagai penjabaran atau penjelasan untuk menutup lope-holes dari undang-undang yang ada demi melindungi kepentigan dan kedaulatan rakyat.

 

 

6). *Merubah pemilihan Presiden and pemilihan anggota Legislative agar tidak money dan political party oriented, tetapi lebih mengarah ke issue yg dihadapi rakyat and people oriented?

 

(What plans and actions plans do you have to change the Presidential and General Election to be more people and issue oriented in stead of money and political party oriented?)

 

The last general election on April 9th, 2009 has shown that the general election was overwhelmed primarily by the interest of political parties in stead of the interest of the Indonesian people. It was just too money oriented in stead of issue oriented making democracy in Indonesia a government of the political party, for political party and by political party. That is not what Democracy is all about in any stretch of imagination! I was there on the ground seeing with my own eyes prior to the election, during the election and after the general election. This has to change!

 

For the shake of the Indonesia people, the rule of the game on the ground for the next general election in 2014 shall be reformed. It has to be made in such a way that all Legislative candidates (Caleg) must be issue and people oriented. Unless they understand and fight for the issue facing their people or constituents, they will not win in the general election. This is the job of KPU to formulate work-plans and action-plans from now on to address this issue. The current system of general election does not benefit the people of Indonesia and for that matter, it must be reformed.

 

 

The 20% parliamentary requirement for any political party who harbors Presidential candidate shall also be abolished. This rule and regulation does not serve the interest of the people. It serves the interest of big political parties only. This law prohibits small parties from having their own Presidential candidates who have, perhaps, more qualified Presidential candidates. This law is simply unconstitutional, unfair for the people and unfair for small political parties and for that matter, it shall be amended, rectified or nullified!

 

 

7.     *Menjamin kedaulatan tertinggi dan meneggakan HAK rakyat Indonesia untuk mengetahui dan diberitahu tentang hal-hal yang dihadapi bangsa dan negara?

 

(What plans and action plans do you have to make sure that Indonesia’s people right to know and to be informed guaranteed and implemented?)

 

Di Indoneasia telah diyatakan bahwasanya kedaulatan ada di tangan rakyat meaning kekuasaan tertinggi ada ditanga rakyat. What does it mean?

 

Apakah setelah rakyat Indonesia selesai memilih Presidennya atau wakil-wakilnya di parliamen melalui pemilihan umum secara otomatis RAKYAT INDONESIA juga mentransfer atau mengambil alihkan KEDAULATAN TERTINGGI nya kepada Presiden atau wakil-wakilnya di Parliamen?

 

Jawabnya secara tegas adalah TIDAK! Kedaulatan itu tetap ada di tangan rakyat dan tidak secara otomatis ditransfer kepada Presiden maupun wakil-wakilnya di Parliament. Karena itu saya mengingatkan mereka yang akan menjadi pemimpin di Executive dan Legislative Branch of Government bahwasanya:

 

A). Rakyat Indonesia dalam mendelegasikan kekuasaanya baik itu melalui pemilihan umum atau referendum tidak secara otomotis menyerahkan kekuasaan tertingginya kepada pemerintah, wakil-wakil rakyat di Parliamen, Presiden, Wakil Presiden, Menteri-Menteri, Gubernur, Jaksa, POLRI, ABRI atau Departmen dan Non-Departemen lain yang melayaninya. 

 

B). Presiden, Anggota Parliamen, Pemerintah Indonesia dan agency lainya yang melayani kepentigan rakyat tidak meimiliki HAK untuk memilih-milih atau memilah-milah informasi apa yang PATUT diberikan kepada rakyat dan informasi apa yang TIDAK PATUT diberikan kepada rakyat Indonesia.

 

C). Rakyat Indonesia sebagai pemegang kedaulatan tertinggi menuntut HAKnya untuk mengetahui dan diberitahu tentang hal-hal yang dihadapi negara dan bangsa dan langkah-langkah apa yang akan diambil oleh pemerintah dan wakil-wakilnya di Parliamen hingga rakyat Indonesia sebagai pemegang kekuasan tertinggi mengetahui tentang hal-hal yang dihadapi negara dan bangsa Indonesia dan tetap bisa mengontrol setiap lembaga atau intsrumen yang telah diciptakanya.”

 

Selama ini banyak dari anggota komisi parliamen Indonesia yang mengadakan rapat-rapat secara tertutup hingga rakyat Indonesia tidak tahu menahu tentang apa dan siapa yang dibicarakan dan program kerja apa yang dilakukan di masing-masing komisi. Rakyat hanya tahu dari media kalau so and so dari anggota komisi ini dan itu terlibat dalam kasus menyuapan. Hal ini terjadi karena tidak adanya public oversight melalui transparency, check and balance di Parliamen.

 

Hal ini sangat memilukan dan memalukan dan perlu dirubah. Rakyat Indonesia adalah pemegang kekuasaan tertinggi dan karena itu sangatlah tidak benar bila rakyat Indonesia malah dibohongi, jadi penonton Demokrasi, tidak pernah dilibatkan dalam pengambilan keputusan pemerintahan dan malah dipinterin oleh mereka yang telah dipilih melalui pemilihan umum.

 

Lebih dari itu, mereka yg melakukan role sebagai instrumen PUBLIC OVERSIGHT seperti ICW, KONTRAS KRHN, LBH Jakarta, Transparency International Indonesia, Indonesia, Police Watch, Imparsial, Elsam, ICJR, Pusat Studi Hukum dan Kebijakan (PSHK), Masyarakat Transparansi Indonesia (MTI), LeIP, Dompet Dhuafa Republika, Pro Patria Institute, P2D, PB HMI, LIPI dan organisasi independent lain terhadap hasil kerja pejabat negara malah diancam dengan tindakan pidana dengan alasan mencemarkan nama baik pejabat.

 

Undang-undang atau aturan seperti ini perlu dihapus di Indonesia karena tidak sesuai dengan prinsip-prinsip Demokrasi dan melangar HAK RAKYAT sebagi pemegang kedaulatan tertinggi di Indonesia.

 

Adalah HAK RAKYAT untuk melakukan dan mengeksekusi rolenya sebagai agency PUBLIC OVERSIGHT terhadap para pejabat dan wakil rakyat yg melakukan tindakan PIDANA dan ASUSILA secara terbuka dimuka publik maupun didepan hukum. Tidak sepantasnya bila hak rakyat ini dibatasi dan dijadikan object oleh pejabat negara, oknum hukum seperti POLRI, para Pejabat Negara di Executive dan JUDICATIVE seperti MK, atau Wakil Rakyat di Parliamen sebagai issue pencemaran nama baik pejabat. That notion is wrong, undemocratic and unconstitutional.

 

Salah satu kontrak menjadi public official baik itu pejabat negara atau wakil rakyat adalah siap dan mau di confront (scrutiny) secara terbuka oleh rakyat atas tindak-tanduk dan hasil kerja mereka. Kalau ada pejabat atau wakil rakyat yg tidak mau di confrontir secara terbuka oleh rakyat, jangan mencalonkan diri jadi pejabat negara atau wakil rakyat!

 

That is the most rediculous assertion oleh pejabat Indonesia, kalau dikritik oleh rakyat dan discrutiny didepan umum atas hasil kerja meraka, rakyat yg mengkritik malah dibilang mencemarkan nama baik pejabat! Terus kita sebagai rakyat punya hak apa dan harus bagaimana? Diam saja! Terus apa makna Rakyat adalah pemegang kedaultan tertinggi? What kind of crab do you guys put in Indonesian people’s nose!

 

Ada 11 prinsip Demokrasi yg seharusnya diadopsi dan diimplementasikan di Indonesia secara lengkap, utuh, bijaksana dan konsekwen bila ingin melihat system pemerintahan Demokrasi di Indonesia berjalan dengan baik, dimana process demokrasi ini akan benar-benar menomor-satukan kepentingan dan membela hak rakyat. Sebelas (11) prinsip itu adalah sbb:

 

1) Sovereignty of the people.

2) Government based upon consent of the governed.

3) Majority rule.

4) Minority rights.

5) Guarantee of basic human rights.

6) Free and fair elections.

7) Equality before the law.

Due process of law.

9) Constitutional limits on government.

10) Social, economic, and political pluralism.

11) Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and compromise.

 

 

Sayangnya, selama ini politisi Indonesia lebih suka memilih-milih dalam mengimplentasikan prinsip-prinsip itu, bahkan memanipulasi prinsip-prinsip demokrasi itu demi kepentingan Partai Politik dan golongan tertentu. Mayoritas politisi Indonesia hanya ikut arus, takut menjadi opisisi, takut berbuat what is right for the people meski harus jadi oposisi, dimusuhi banyak orang, tidak mendapat jabatan jadi Menteri, tersingkir dari inner circle, bahkan terkesan terlalu gila dengan jabatan dan hanya berpura-pura membela rakyat.

 

Sorry to say, but that is the reality on the ground! Lihat saja kasus korupsi yg melanda pejabat negara dan angota Parliamen. Lihat saja mereka yg mau mengorbankan prinsip partai demi ambisi menjadi Menteri atau posisi lain di Pemerintahan. Only a few of them who really care and have the courage to fight for the interest of the people and stand up against those who offer money, wealth and position in lieu of cooperation and coalision.  

 

Rakyat Indonesia yg banyak tidak paham akan Demokrasi dilapangan mudah dibohongi oleh uang, janji-janji muluk dan oleh mereka yg ingin menarik keuntungan dari ketidakpahaman mereka tentang prinsip-prinsip demokrasi ini.

 

Untuk mengatasi kesenjangan ini, saya usulkan agar semua rapat komisi atau hearing perlu dilakukan secara terbuka (secara public) yg harus dihadiri paling tidak oleh 3 wartawan dari 3 media outlets, dimana wartwan ini diwajibkan untuk rerecord jalanya pertemuan atau hearing dalam bentuk CD’s atau DVD’s.

 

Pemerintah Indonesia dan SEKJEN DPR perlu juga memiliki TV Channel dan TV crew sendiri untuk meliput dan melaporkan atau menyiarkan rapat-rapat komisi di Parliamen dan disetiap pertemuan oleh masing-masing komisi di Parliamen. Ini adalah HAK rakyat dan Pemerintah serta Wakil Rakyat perlu menghormatinya dengan mekalukan dan memberikan tuntutan itu.

 

Pemerintah Indonesia bisa meminta TV swasta untuk menyediakan paling tidak satu channel khusus untuk menyiarkan rapat-rapat komisi atau Parliamentary proceeding secara regular (tiap hari dan berulang-ulang) agar rakyat Indonesia secara menyeluruh tahu issue-issue apa yang dibicarakan di Parliamen dan oleh komiis mana dan siapa sja yang hadir dalam rapat itu. Hal ini perlu dilakukan segera untuk menciptakan public oversight, public transparency and public accountability!

 

 

8.     *The Indonesian Economic Policy and the dangerous of Neo-Liberalism for Indonesia

 

What is Neo-Liberalism?

 

“Neo-liberalism” is a set of economic policies that have become widespread during the last 25 years or so. Although the word is rarely heard by millions and millions of ordinary Indonesian citizen and people around the world, you can clearly see the effects of neo-liberalism around the world as those who run big corporations are getting richer and richer and the poor grows poorer.

 

“Liberalism” can refer to political, economic, or even religious ideas. In the U.S, especially, the political liberalism has been a strategy to prevent social conflict. It is presented to poor and working people as progressive compared to conservative or Right-wingers.

 

Economic liberalism is different. Conservative politicians (mostly Republicans) who say they hate “liberals”; meaning the political type have no real problem with economic liberalism, including neoliberalism. Because neoliberailsm in economic sense does benefit conservative’s agenda. But the word “Neo” here means a new kind of liberalism. So what was the old kind of liberalism?

 

The liberal school of economics became famous in Europe when Adam Smith, a Scottish economist, published a book in 1776 called THE WEALTH OF NATIONS. He and others advocated the abolition of government intervention in economic matters. No restrictions on manufacturing, no barriers to commerce, no tariffs, he said; free trade was the best way for a nation’s economy to develop. Such ideas were “liberal” in the sense of no controls. This application of individualism encouraged “free” enterprise,” “free” competition, which came to mean, free for the capitalists to make huge profits as they wished.

 

Economic liberalism prevailed in the United States through the 1800s and early 1900s. Then the Great Depression of the 1930s led an economist named John Maynard Keynes to a theory that challenged liberalism as the best policy for capitalists. He said, in essence, that full employment is necessary for capitalism to grow and it can be achieved only if governments and central banks intervene to increase employment. These ideas had much influence on President Roosevelt’s New Deal, which did improve life for many people. The belief that government should advance the common good became widely accepted.

But the capitalist crisis over the last 25 years, with its shrinking profit rates, inspired the corporate elite to revive economic liberalism. That’s what makes it “neo” or new. Now, with the rapid globalization of the capitalist economy, we are seeing neo-liberalism on a global scale.

 

Perhaps, the most memorable definition and statements of this process came from Subcomandante Marcos at the Zapatista-sponsored Encuentro Intercontinental por la Humanidad y contra el Neo-liberalismo (Inter-continental Encounter for Humanity and Against Neo-liberalism) of August 1996 in Chiapas when he said: “What the Right-wingers offer is to turn the whole world into one big mall where they can buy Indians here, women there …” and he might have added children, immigrants, workers or even a whole country like Mexico.”

 

That is why we see global invasion by giant major Corporations across the globe to get access on natural resources, raw materials, market, influences, dominant and strategic control on the pretext of working relationship on economical, military and diplomatic cooperation. There are so many ways these major Corporations use to tie those underdeveloped countries including Indonesia to open up their resources by enticing them with billions and billions dollar loan with string attached.

 

The characteristics and main points of neo-liberalism include:

 

1.     THE RULE OF THE MARKET. Liberating “free” enterprise or private enterprise from any bonds imposed by the government (the state) no matter how much social damage this causes. Greater openness to international trade and investment, as in NAFTA. Reduce wages by de-unionizing workers and eliminating workers’ rights that had been won over many years of struggle. No more price controls. All in all, total freedom of movement for capital, goods and services. To convince us this is good for us, they say “an unregulated market is the best way to increase economic growth, which will ultimately benefit everyone.” It’s like Reagan’s “supply-side” and “trickle-down” economics, but somehow the wealth didn’t trickle down very much. It’s a dirty trick by foreign corporations and wealthy countries to have all of the access from raw materials to consumers by creating free and open market that you shall not buy!

 

2.     CUTTING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES like education and health care. REDUCING THE SAFETY-NET FOR THE POOR, and even maintenance of roads, bridges, water supply — again in the name of reducing government’s role. Of course, they don’t oppose government subsidies and tax benefits for business.

 

3.     DEREGULATION. Reduce government regulation of everything that could diminish profits, including protecting the environment and safety on the job.

 

4.     PRIVATIZATION. Sell state-owned enterprises, goods and services to private investors. This includes banks, key industries, railroads, toll highways, electricity, schools, hospitals and even fresh water. Although usually done in the name of greater efficiency, which is often needed, privatization has mainly had the effect of concentrating wealth even more in a few hands and making the public pay even more for its needs.

 

5.     ELIMINATING THE CONCEPT OF “THE PUBLIC GOOD” or “COMMUNITY” and replacing it with “individual responsibility.” Pressuring the poorest people in a society to find solutions to their lack of health care, education and social security all by themselves — then blaming them, if they fail, as “lazy.”

 

Around the world, neo-liberalism has been imposed by powerful financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. It is raging all over Latin America and it has been penetrating Indonesia since the 1960’s.

*

Look at IMF’s 4 steps to damnation, a blueprint of Neo-Liberailsm:

http://www.jubileeresearch.org/analysis/articles/IMF_Four_steps_Damnation.htm

*

The first clear example of neo-liberalism at work came in Chile (with thanks to University of Chicago economist Milton Friedman), after the CIA-supported coup against the popularly elected Allende regime in 1973. Other countries followed, with some of the worst effects in Mexico where wages declined 40 to 50% in the first year of NAFTA while the cost of living rose by 80%. Over 20,000 small and medium businesses have failed and more than 1,000 state-owned enterprises have been privatized in Mexico. As one scholar said, “Neoliberalism means the neo-colonization of Latin America.”

 

Now picture this notion to INDONESIA for Presiden SBY, Boediono’s gang and Sri Mulyani’s gang to embrace neoliberalism.

 

Accepting neoliberalism for Indonesia without guards and limits is like accepting Indonesia to be colonialized by foreign Corporations. That is bad for Indonesia and that is bad for Indonesian people. Likewise, closing the door for foreign market and investments is also wrong. We have to balance both needs and know what to do to protect and preserve our interests.

 

In the United States, neo-liberalism is destroying welfare programs; attacking the rights of labor (including all immigrant workers); and cut backing social programs. The Republican “Contract” on America promoted by then speaker of the House, Mr. Newt Gingrich is pure neo-liberalism. Its supporters are working hard to deny protection to children, youth, women, the planet itself and trying to trick us into acceptance by saying this will “get government off my back.”

 

The beneficiaries of neo-liberalism are a minority of the world’s people. For the vast majority it brings even more suffering than before: suffering without the small, hard-won gains of the last 60 years, suffering without end.

 

Do you want to see Indonesia taking the same path of neoliberalism that has been rejected in Latin America?  Wake up, people! Wake up! Don’t be fooled.

 

9.     *Combating Corruption (Memberantas Korupsi).

 

SBY’s administration has addressed corruption by supporting the work of KPK (Komisi Pemberatasan Korupsi) to continue combating corruption in Indonesia. But capturing those who committed such a crime and put them in jail does not address the underlying issue of corruption.

 

There are underlying issues of corruption. Those underlying issues must be addressed first in order to reduce and eliminate much of the corruption in Indonesia. What are those issues?

 

Corruption is a form of crime and crime happens because of two things that happen concurrently, meaning there are 2 things that happen at the same time or in sequence, which are:

 

1.     The desire to commit the crime

2.     The opportunity to do it.

 

It is just a human nature that some people may want to take a short-cut or, the easiest way to get rich and one of those short-cuts can be stealing or committing a corruption.

 

We can not do much to address the desire of every human being to take the short-cut or the easiest way to fulfill their desire. This is perhaps, the job of those religious clerics to keep reminding people that stealing and corruption is not okay, it is against the commandments of God (Allah). It is not the job of the Government to do that.

 

But what the government can do is to address the second issue, which is to close or to minimize the opportunity for anyone to commit such a crime. This is the tricky part but it is not impossible. Each government offices and institutions have their own strength and weaknesses and for that matter, the effort to close and minimize these gaps are vary and shall be undertaken case per case or, office by office basis.

 

However in general, most of corruption occurs because there is secrecy and to close the gap and minimize secrecy, it is critical that the accounting system in every offices and institutions shall be made in such a way that is open for public scrutiny by creating transparency, check and balance. All rates or fees must be published openly and publicly for everybody to see, all receipts must be electronically documented and there shall not be any hidden fees, all decisions shall be made public as a group and no single person is allowed to have all access.

 

All offices and government institutions can NOT be run by one person and one person knows and has all the access. The system of transparency, check and balance must be established to eliminate the secrecy. These are the underlying issues of corruption that must be addressed first.

 

Even though KPK as entity is able and capable of prosecuting thousands and thousand of corruptors and put them in jails, do you think this effort will reduce and eliminate much of the corruption in Indonesia if those underlying issues of corruption are left unresolved? The answer is certainly NO! One corruptor is in jail, a new corruptor will pop up! This is why, the underlying issues of corruption must be addressed first and KPK is not the answer.

 

KPK does work to a point. However, knowing how much the central government has to pay for the KPK’s daily operation, it is not wise to leave it the way it is. It creates more layer of government; draining much of the Indonesia’s APBN. Indonesian judicial system is still broken and it shall be reformed. KPK shall be placed back within the framework of Indonesia judicial system once the judicial system is back on track to minimize central government spending.

 

SBY administration does not seem to care about minimizing those massive central government spending and at the same time, moving forward with regional autonomy policy forcing the regional and provincial government to expand, making Indonesia government in the era of reformation; in terms of personnel, the biggest government ever on Earth.

 

Establishing PUBLIC OVERSIGHT WATCH (P.O.W.) with spirit of Volunteerism to monitor the work of Government Officials and Members of Representative.

 

Melihat perkembangan politik di Indonesia akhir-akhir ini dimana terlihat jelas betapa pentingnya peranan pejabat negara dan wakil rakyat untuk memperjuangkan kepentingan rakyat dengan menjalankan aspirasi dan harapan rakyat, namun yg ada malah sebaliknya. Pejabat negara dan wakil rakyat malah melakukan tindakan-tindakan dan manuver politik yg bertentangan dengan kehendak dan harapan mayoritas rakyat Indonesia.

 

Hal ini sangat memprihatinkan, apalagi ada indikasi dari pejabat negara dan wakil rakyat yang ingin mengurangi dan mengkredilkan HAK dan KEDAULATAN rakyat. Sebagai contoh pertama dalam masalah ini adalah usaha dari Menteri KOMUNIKASI; Tifatul Sembiring (Mantan President PKS) melalui KPI (Komisi Penyiaran Indonesia) untuk tidak atau membatasi siaran langsung persidangan KPK vs. POLRI. Hal ini salah besar dalam pemerintahan Demokrasi dan usaha ini harus diperangi dengan maksimal.

 

Contoh kedua adalah pada awalnya ada usaha dari pemerintah melalui Sri Mulyani dan Boediono’s gang; dua pejabat negara yg terseret dalam kasus BANK Century, untuk mengurangi atau menutup-nutupi kasus ini dari publik. Usaha pemerintah untuk menutup-nutupi kasus ini atau melupakan kasus ini adalah jelas pelanggaran atas HAK dan KEDAULATAN RAKYAT INDONESIA untuk mengetahui dan diberitahu.

 

Baguslah bila akhirnya DPR bisa berhasil mengajukan hak angketnya untuk memongkar kasus Bank century ini.

 

Usaha-usaha dari pejabat negara atau wakil rakyat yang ingin mengebiri HAK dan KEDAULATAN RAKYAT INDONESIA untuk mengetahui dan diberitahu tentang masalah-masalah penting yg dihadapi bangsa dan negara Indonesia harus kita perangi secara dashyat.

 

Politik pengebirian HAK dan KEDAULATAN RAKYAT yang sangat bertentangan dengan asas dan prinsip negara Demokrasi yang tidak bisa kita toleransi! Mesti telah ada dan banyak NGO’s yang memiliki missi yang sama di Jakarta, organizasi PUBLIC OVERSIGHT WATCH (P.O.W) ini perlu dibentuk disetiap daerah, baik itu ditingkat Pusat, Propinsi dan Kabupaten.  

SCOPE DAN RUANG KERJA P.O.W.

 

Scope dan ruang kerja P.O.W tidak terbatas pada masalah sosial, politik dan hukum saja, tapi semua aspek pemerintahan yang memiliki dampak langsung terhadap kehidupan dan nasib bangsa Indonesia secara menyeluruh baik itu ditingkat Daerah, Propinsi maupun di tingkat Pusat.

 

P.O.W. akan memonitor sepak terjang para pejabat negara dan wakil rakyat baik itu yang ada didalam maupun di luar negeri dan melaporkan penemuanya kepada rakyat bekerja sama dengan jaringan Media, NGO’s dan Organisasi-Organisasi lain di seluruh Indonesia dan diluar negeri.

 

Sudah saatnya bagi rakyat Indonesia untuk menuntut hasil kerja para pejabat negara dan para wakilnya di Parliamen untuk bekerja demi kepentingan rakyat dan bukanya demi kepentingan partai politik dan golongan elite tertentu.

 

P.O.W adalah organizasi rakyat dengan spirit volunteerism yg peka dan prihatin dengan  perkembangan politik di Indonesia dan didaerahnya masing-masing yang sifatnya terbuka bagi siapa saja yang ingin bergabung untuk memonitor hasil kerja para pejabat negara dan wakil rakyat dimasing-masing daerah pemerintahan diseluruh Indonesia.

 

P.O.W. dimasing-masing daerah akan saling terkait, bekerja sama dan membantu satu sama lain untuk mencapai tujuan yang sama yaitu memaksa pejabat negara dan wakil rakyat untuk bekerja demi kepentingan rakyat; hal yg sepantasnya mereka lakukan karena mereka dipilih oleh rakyat dan hal ini hanya akan bisa kita tempuh jika kita; rakyat Indonesia sendiri yang harus memonitor kerja mereka secara terus menerus serta melaporkannya secara regular dan terbuka kepada rakyat Indonesia bekerja sama dengan Media and organisasi-organisai kerakyatan lainya. Inilah semestinya spirit dari organisasi P.O.W ini.

 

10.                  *Memecahkan masalah macetnya lalu lintas di Jalan Raya Ibukota Jakarta dan banjir tahunan?

 

(What plans and action plans does he/she have to resolve the traffic congestion in Jakarta and the seasonal flood in Jakarta and surrounding?).

 

Sungguh memalukan bila masalah ini masih juga belum terpecahkan! Tidaklah bisa dipungkuri dan menjadi penglihatan umum betapa macetnya jalan raya di Jakarta dan banjir musiman yang masih sering melanda kota metropolitan Jakarta dan sekitarnya. Beberapa Gubernur telah mencoba memecahkan masalah ini dan sampai hari inipun masalah itu masih juga belum terpecahkan.

 

Ironinya bukankah kantor Presiden, Wakil Presiden, Kantor Menteri-Menteri dan gedung Parliamen ada di Jakarta? Bukankah Presiden, Wakil Presiden. Menteri-Menteri, anggota Parliamen dan pejabat negara lainya melihat langsung dengan mata kepala sendiri betapa macetnya jalan-jalan di Kota Jakarta ini dan juga banjir yang setiap kali melanda kota Jakarta dan sekitarnya? Masak tak satu orangpun dari sekian ribu pemimpin bangsa yang mampu memiliki ide untuk mengatasi masalah ini?

 

There is no problem that can not be remedied. If they can’t resolve these obvious traffic jam and seasonal flood in our own back yard, how can they claim to resolve the much bigger issues facing the country and the nation of Indonesia? This is a real test of leadership!

 

Political and economical problems in Indonesia are so complex, perplexing and complicated. However, there is no problem that can not be remedied! Many people stated that the problems in Indonesia is just like a messy knot that has been rusted for over 35 years and Indonesian people are getting used to living in this condition.

 

To undo the knot and to resolve these messy issues, we need to find the tip of the knot and work around it to resolve those messy issues one step at a time. The tip of the political mess in Indonesia is the Parliament. The tip of Indonesian economical issue and financial crisis lie at the Executive Branch of Government. Both of these branches of Government must work hand in hand to resolve all issues facing the country.

 

This is one of my ways to do that by confronting the elected President, Vice President and Members of Parliament openly and publicly to encourage them to act now than later. The issues are too great and too critical for the advancement of the country and the betterment of its people.

 

We need to hold our leaders and Representatives of the people accountable to generate tangible results to change the condition on the ground that directly impact millions people of Indonesia. I am that confident that unless the above issues that I pointed out with clarity are resolved once and for all, I don’t see how any leader can even pronounce significant progresses and achievements.

 

As I said previously, it is NOT critical in my view who is going to be the next President and Vice President of Indonesia. But it is VERY CRITICAL that the elected President and Vice President of Indonesia understand those critical issues and have scrutinizeable plans and action plans with measurable bench-marks, expected conditions on the ground and timeline to resolve those issues. More importantly that those proposed plans and action-plans must be shared with the Members of Parliament and the public to undertake public debates.

 

Any plan or program without a deadline and measurable-success is nothing but a plan. A plan does not do any good unless it is implement-able and generates tangible results that change people’s life is useless. For that matter, any President and Vice President regardless of their style, character and past accomplishments who are taking such a path by simply presenting immeasurable programs shall be challenged and rejected. We want tangible results with transparency, check and balance in the process.

 

I am looking forward to seeing our President, Vice President, Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament working together to address those critical issues once and for all. It is only then that we can see possible significant changes on the ground that will transform the million’s life of Indonesian people who are now still living under poverty.

 

I am openly challenging SBY’s administration to resolve not even those top 10 issues. If they can resolve at least the top 3 issues, which are:

 

>>>   1). Mengurangi dan akhirnya menghapuskan seluruh hutang Indonesia baik dalam dan luar negeri.

 

>>>   2). Memperbaiki currency Rupiah terhadap US Dollar, paling tidak sama nilai dengan di tahun 1980’an

 

>>>   3). Mengurangi secara dratis pemborosan pengeluaran Pemerintah Pusat dan mengalokasikan dana APBN secara proprosional antara kepentingan Pemerintah Pusat dan pemerintah daerah baik itu ditingkat Propinsi maupun ditingkat Kota Madya dan Kabupaten.  

 

I can guarantee you with degree of certainty that if those top 3 issues are resolved, there will be a very significant change in Indonesia, especially, to the life of millions and millions Indonesia people who are now still living under poverty line and those who are unemployed!

 

May Allah give you the wisdom and strength to do so!

 

Now that those critical issues have been identified and pointed out with clarity; openly and publicly, there should be no excuses for those who are now in power to deny that they do not know what those critical issues are and to ignore those critical issues for the next 5 years.

 

Show your leadership to the people of Indonesia that you are capable of resolving those critical issues as promised during the campaign! The People of Indonesia are looking forward to seeing those critical issues to be addressed and resolved sooner than later.

 

I wish you all the best to be part of the history in the making to make significant changes in Indonesia. Good luck, Mr. President!

 

Sincerely,

 

Chris Komari

Chairman

Partai Masa Depan Indonesian Mandiri (Parmadim)

http://www.indonesiamatters.com/2431/presidential-debates/

 

* Chris Komari is an Indonesian citizen and California Resident at the same time. He served as a member of City Council for the City of Bay Point, State of California, USA in 2002. He is now serving as Board Member of Project Area Committee (PAC) from 2008 in the same city; a governing body under jurisdiction of Contra Costa County, State of California, USA. Chris was the first Indonesian-American who has ever been appointed by the local authorities to serve in the governing bodies in the State of California, USA. He is also a volunteer in many community based and non-profit charitable organizations in his hometown. He was a former Chairman of Tsunami Fund Raising Concert in San Francisco 2005 to help the Tsunami victims in Sumatera, Indonesia and also a former Chairman of Indonesia Day 2005, an annual public event that is undertaken to promote Indonesia as a whole in conjunction with the celebration of Indonesia Independent Day in Northern California. He is currently CFO for Indonesian Community Center (ICC), a non-profit charitable organization under 501(c) (3) that he co-founded with his Indonesian friends to help the victims of natural disasters in Indonesia and those unfortunate people around the world who are in dire situation and need helps. In his efforts to represent the unspoken voices from under and unrepresented millions and millions of ordinary Indonesian people as well as to address the many critical issues facing Indonesia, he formed a political platform called “Future Indonesia” which later on he reformulated in response to the political developments in Indonesia to become a Political Party called “Future Indonesia Independent Party or, Partai Masa Depan Indonesia Mandiri (PARMADIM). This political party is still in its early stage of formation and it has not yet been registered or certified by the Government of Indonesia. Chris has written many critical issues facing Indonesia pre and post general and Presidential election in 2009. His views on those issues can be seen through his political website www.parmadim.com

 

*Disclaimer

Kami memperbolehkan dan memberi authorisasi kepada siapa saja; individu, korporasi, NGO’s, pejabat pemerintah, partai politik maupun ratusan Media Masa Indonesia yang ingin me-reprint atau menterjemahkan isi surat ini kedalam bahasa Indonesia, mem-publish semua atau sedikit demi sedikit; point per point atau selurunya ke dalam majalah dan Koran anda, me-reprint isi surat ini untuk keperluan lain, seperti seminar dan diskusi umum dan menyebar luaskan isi surat ini kekalayak ramai untuk dijadikan bahan perdebatan umum selama hal itu dilakukan bukan semata-mata untuk mencari KEUNTUNGAN pribadi, partai politik, organisasi atau perusahaan dimana ada berkerja atau berasosiasi yang mengarah pada monetary benefits. Tujuan kami adalah agar issue yang sangat kritikal ini bisa diketahui oleh public secara luas dan diperdebatkan secara umum untuk dicari pemecahanya demi kemajuan, perkembangan dan perbaikian nasib Bangsa dan Negara Indonesia untuk lebih cerah dan makmur. Terima kasih/Penulis.