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President Prabowo Looks Pretty Good To Voters Tired of Corrupt Political Elite
Yohanes Sulaiman & Phillip Turnbull | February 28, 2012
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| 'Yudhoyono’s government seems to be running around from one scandal to another.' |
On Saturday, the violence-wracked Mesuji district in Lampung again grabbed the headlines as a riot took place, with hundreds of villagers burning down buildings belonging to Barat Selatan Makmur Investindo, a Malaysian palm oil company.
A day before, in Jakarta, disgraced tax official Dhana Wiyatmika earned the dubious honor of being called the “new Gayus,” for allegedly having more than Rp 100 billion rupiah ($11 million) squirreled away in various bank accounts.
These disturbing developments form the backdrop for continuing revelations about politicians under investigation for fraud on a monumental scale and show that almost 14 years after the fall of Suharto, not much has changed in Indonesian politics. It is in this light that we should view the apparent rise of Prabowo Subianto on the political scene.
With the public asking serious questions about the country’s future, the so-called reformist government remains in paralysis. The Economist wrote last week that “barely half-way through his second term,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono “already looks like a lame duck.” More than 50 percent of his orders go unheeded, the magazine said.
Then, in a press release that shocked many, the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) announced that Prabowo, a former general who has been accused of serious human rights abuses, came in a strong second in a survey of the electability of potential presidential candidates. He beat out the likes of former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie and Hatta Rajasa, the coordinating minister of the economy and the National Mandate Party (PAN) head.
While Prabowo still finished behind former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), many analysts believe that Megawati’s support base has reached its limits, with few people impressed with her record as president.
But Prabowo’s hasn’t.
Not surprisingly, a human rights group immediately blasted the survey as flawed because it didn’t consider the records of the potential candidates. Yet, the results might not be that far off, and indicate that the Indonesian political mentality is still wedded to the past. Politicians, rather than behaving as servants of the people doing their best to provide solutions to the nation’s problems, behave like petty autocrats, whose whims and demands need to be satisfied.
In Indonesia today, the country has lots of small autocrats doing whatever they like with impunity. Suharto back during his rule got away with his strong fist and strong economic growth. Carrot and stick, many loved it. He provided order and prosperity, and a certainty that “bapak” knew what was best for the country. Sure, there was a lot of corruption and utter disregard for human rights, but many felt that was a fair price for good economic policy.
The blame for the rising acceptance of the new authoritarianism can be placed squarely on successive governments that monumentally failed to grasp that politicians are public servants and responsible to the people they govern.
As with any authoritarian ruler, most Indonesian politicians appear fiercely resistant to being questioned, having their performance examined, their results evaluated and their bank accounts scrutinized. And as often as not, when they are asked to explain themselves, they are suspected of lying. Two politicians were pointedly reminded in court last week that they were under oath and required to tell the truth and warned of the seriously consequences of perjury. A public campaign briefly urged them likewise. Clearly there is a perception out there that some politicians are ethically immature and devoid of integrity.
Politicians could avoid this by being transparent, showing to the public that they have nothing to hide. And yet, since the fall of Suharto, Indonesian politicians have been unable to decide whether politics is an exercise in public and open governance or a matter of private and hidden commercial business transactions.
‘The day-by-day revelations of tainted government would indicate the dominant mentality veers toward the latter view. Nothing is sacred. Even hajj funds entrusted by the devout to the Ministry of Religious Affairs are suspected of being misappropriated. With everything being swept under the rug, hidden from the plain view, abuses and corruption grow unchecked.
We can all imagine politicians sitting around in a coffee shop in the foyer of the House of Representatives, plotting deals and corruption. Some politicians apparently think the country is best governed when they behave as if there are no people in the country — only themselves and the treasury.
There is a sense that the ruling political elite does not have a clue how to govern, as Yudhoyono’s government seems to be running from one scandal to another. Seeing little leadership at top and being fed a daily diet of scandals, people feel our politicians are taking their wages unfairly. They reap where they do not sow. As a result, even though the economy is growing, disappointment in the government keeps increasing.
Thus, in these times of crisis people look for stability. That may well explain the increasing wave of nostalgia, as people recall the “good” old days when life was so simple and at the same time prosperous. Even if it wasn’t. This, in turn, leads to the rise of Prabowo. Regardless of his human rights record, at least to some it seems that finally here is someone with the guts and charisma to get things done.
The big question is: if elected, what will he get done and how will he do it? In reality, there are no indications that any of the current potential candidates are capable of offering anything new.
What they all have in common is the collective mind-set that says government is best done on the basis of a network of relationships of elected and non-elected elites and their cronies. Only this results in deals getting done, money being made and power being consolidated and handed on in a dynastic fashion, with the public placated or too intimidated to complain.
To be sure, this is a variation of authoritarianism. They may have different names, but the tactics indicate that Indonesia is politically dominated by a one-party system of government — because all parties seem to be doing things the same way.
This is ultimately unworkable. Until someone steps up and has the courage, wisdom and will to break with the authoritarian past, Indonesia will continue to evolve as a booming economy that does not provide economic and social benefits to the nation but only to a few. It will be a limping democracy, hamstrung by material success that is not accompanied by political reform.
That would leave the country ripe for the continuous picking and plundering of the various mobs that keep it in line, both within the House and on the streets.
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Trueblue
12:42pm Feb 28,
2012
Gents you quote from The Economist that with respect to the President "More than 50 per cent of his orders go unheeded". As The Economist is one of the worlds most respected newspapers, one must accept that statement as fact. Would it be too onerous to list the "major" orders that have been ignored as I find this a disturbing statistic for a democratically elected President. I fully understand that 1000 words may be a limitation, but if the list gets too long, I'm sure you can work a deal with our friend WebEd! Of course if President SBY has the problem of hitting the proverbial "brick wall" half the time trying to get things done, the next next President will need the K.O. strength of Muhammad Ali. And some Kung Fu!
Scorpio
7:28pm Feb 28,
2012
Well written! One can only fear that the future of Indonesia and its non-elite looks very bleak indeed. I hope that articles such as this helps make a REAL difference.
Think it is time that the social classes so bizarrely taken advantage of rise up and vote for someone who can change this country's catastrophic course and thus not support its current deeply flawed and utterly undeserving leaders.
Yohanes-Sulaiman
10:01pm Feb 28,
2012
TheSplodge
11:13pm Feb 28,
2012
enakajah
8:08am Feb 29,
2012
You did however hit the nail on the head, but then walked away. "In Indonesia today, the country has lots of small autocrats doing whatever they like with impunity".
Indonesia has always had these. The Dutch used them to their advantage in the most deplorable way. The Japanese enhanced them and since independence it has become how the country is run. Just as it was when the Dutch took over. Feuding and autocratic localized kingdoms run by governors and majors district heads and village elders. As one poster continuously reminds us a feudal system.
There is a host of literature that outlines that this is the manner in which Indonesia has governed itself from time immemorial.
Perhaps the most indicative book on this is the series of articles published in Britain when the British arrived in Java and briefly took over. Incidentally they were fighting the French not the Dutch. The French briefly held Indonesia when Napoleon over ran Holland.
What the British found and detailed was an appalling system of divide and rule. Systematic use of petty kingdoms at the kabupaten level being played off one against the other but always encouraged to have their own kingdoms. This cultural ruling class has never been changed. Now we are back to pre-VOC days with the dynastic rulers back in play but trading one colonial type master for another.
Until a truly democratic system of voter representation is developed where parties do not dictate who runs where, and when a politician looses his seat he is replaced not by the party but by a By-election by the people, we shall continue to be ruled by the virtual kingdoms and dynasties that makes Indonesia “Indonesia”.
This goes back more than a thousand years. The basic structure and cultural format has not changed and in fact has been encouraged and refined to the state of play we have today. To change this takes, as I mentioned before, generations. It took post-Cromwell Britain hundreds of years. It took France more than 80 years for the revolution to take seat. The Chinese are still battling with it more than a hundred years after the first uprisings in the early 1900. The change has to come from within, it needs to be a complete overhaul of the system and it will take many generations.
In the mean time, we have band aid solutions, incompetence and a variation of the same old thing over and over to retain power with the elite and abuse of the populace.
It would be nice to hear from Mr. Turnbull under his own name commenting on articles he co-authors. A few of us may know his pseudonym but surely using his own name here would be more credit worthy.
padt
9:06am Feb 29,
2012
As well, I usually don't comment because I have nothing much else to say.
Yes this article does sing the same note to a degree - but that's because the news in Indonesia doesn't give one much more scope.
Your detailed background is of interest to be sure - but a history lesson is not what the .000001% of the Indonesian public who read this stuff want to hear.
I thank you for your comments and concern which have greatly enhanced the discussion for the few who read this stuff. Signed,
Phillip Antony Dominic Mary Martin de Porres Augustine Turnbull.
Nephew of Aunty Mavis.
JohanusBau
9:32am Feb 29,
2012
Hope you have your dictionaries ready.. Ha ha
JohanusBau
9:44am Feb 29,
2012
trueblue
9:56am Feb 29,
2012
I sympathise with you. With a name like that, you school days would have been the life of a traumatised bully, you poor darling boy. And dear old Aunty Mavis, I shudder to to think of what she went through at your christening when the priest announced your name! Good fellow, don't let this enak person spoil your day, be proud of your name, and use whatever initials you feel comfortable with. Is Aunty Mavis still with us? I hope for your sake the lovely old soul is still able to sit you on her knee and cuddle you. God bless.
Yohanes-Sulaiman
10:43am Feb 29,
2012
While we may sound repetitious here, I think we identified the core problem, that people were fed up with the current elite and would risk the emergence of a new authoritarianism as a "reset button." Thus, the very need to fix the system.
I always like your posts (and your historical tidbits, since I do love history), still, this article is not about historical discourse of what causing the authoritarian mentality. I would write a book on that -- in fact so many people are telling me to start writing, but I am too much of a lazy bastard to do that.
@JohanusBau: trust me, I tried, and contacting them, to no avail. Basically they just tell us that more than 50% of orders unheeded, but when I asked them, they said "those orders...."
trueblue
10:44am Feb 29,
2012
I' busy turning page by page The Macquarie Dictionary. I've got as far as 'depress', which means:
1. to lower in spirits
2. to lower in force, vigour etc.,
3. to lower in amount or value
4. to put into a lower position
Should I continue searching, or can I take a pick of one of these options?
enakajah
12:02pm Feb 29,
2012
Disappointed, sorry but yes. The pair of you write very well and this one seemed rushed. Mind you the topic does not last long so I can see your point.
Yohannes, it might have been better to emphasize those issues.
My point being as I have expressed ad nauseam it is going to take a lot longer than people may like. Understanding the roots of the current system may assist in finding the fellow that might just "turn the boat around".
I think we all knew what the core problem is Yohannes. What we need is a way to change it. Understanding the past could help.
I whole heartedly agree with both of you. I also understood the article clearly and its direction. However to me as I said you hit the nail on the head with autonomous rulers and then walked away from it. This more than anything else (to me) displays the elitist arrogance we all have had enough of. Unless we understand the root of that elitist arrogance and how deeply ingrained it is in Indonesia, how can we hope for change.
It is frightening that Probaowo most likely will do very well in the election as might Tommy for goodness sake! This is just more of the same. The elite rule and as Padt says the feudal system is still here. I think it will take more than the Rights groups and LSI to change the attitude of a nation don't you? Hence my reference to how difficult it was in the UK ( reference Padt's and Cromwell) China and France.
Something very wicked is definitely on the way .... so what else is new?
JohanusBau
1:03pm Feb 29,
2012
dashSPH
3:05pm Feb 29,
2012
The masses are ecstatic about Indonesia's 6.5% GDP growth rate last year. We are apparently the fastest growing economy in South East Asia and strongest emerging market in Asia, and we attained that title with a mediocre government at the helm.
What I'm trying to argue here is that the potential for Indonesia's growth is colossal. Especially when there are so many resources untapped in the Archipelago. Take oil as a common example.
Until this day, most of the refined oil for consumption must be imported because we cannot refine enough of our own crude, which is a large chunk of the government budget especially when fuel is subsidized heavily. Oil refineries in Indonesia is almost non-existent due to lack of funding and innovation.
padt
3:56pm Feb 29,
2012
The psychology of corruption is so entrenched it wont be shifted for decades, if at all.
While Indonesians treat every encounter primarily from a position of win/loose (someone must come out of this encounter/situation/business deal/political move/social call/visit to the bank or brothel) with having been respected), corruption/bribery and demands for money they are not entitled to will always come into play.
Basically all this corruption and stuff is a side product/result for a deformed way of thinking about what it means to be a human being.
Sure - political reforms and judicial reforms and education and proper wages and heavt prison sentences and rule of law will assist.
But utlimately nothing is going to change until Indonesians change the way they think.
That's the revolution that's needed.
GreenLanternTrololols
4:32pm Feb 29,
2012
Now the question is what are the criteria for a strong leader. A strong leader could either help Indonesia come out victorious from all of these calamities or it would deepen Indonesia’s lost in the battlefield against corruption and disorder. Theoretically speaking, a strong leader would ensure the first, but in practice, one could not know what would be the outcome. Yet, one should keep in mind the need to take risk – smart risk, which has the potential to work. Indonesian government needs a wake up call, literally.
Rather than sleeping throughout their assemblies, Indonesian government should have discussed more pressing issues to improve and drive Indonesia even further in the global stage. Of course, such would only be achieved under the supervision of a strong leader, who is not afraid to exert his/her force on them, not just some cowardly and weak leader.
However, by now, Indonesians should realize that we are living in a capitalist country and corruption is inevitable, especially amongst our politicians. The idea of corruption had unfortunately been engraved on every politician’s heart. Unless, we want to live in a communist nation (and the answer had been pretty clear, judging from what happened during the Sukarno era), then one should not expect social and economical benefits to be distributed equally throughout the nation. The question now is, how are we able to provide economic and social benefits to the whole nation under such circumstances.
Also, what bothers me is how Indonesia is so preoccupied over the cultural or social background of the leader, rather than ensuring that they were voting for an effective and strong leader. Indonesia need to realize that we are living in a ‘Pancasila’ nation where one’s background should not limit what one can or cannot do in a country. A strong leader should be selected regardless of their race, family background, religion and the list goes on. As long as they can drive Indonesia towards success, why should there be any resentment with them leading the country, we are after all living in a democratic country. I feel that one should not let what the Dutch had planted in our mind years ago affect the decisions that we make in this modern era.
padt
5:07pm Feb 29,
2012
Think about it.
TheIncredibleHulk
5:16pm Feb 29,
2012
Currently, Indonesia considers itself as a democratic country, however, what is democracy on paper translates to anarchy where people take matters into their own hands, disregarding the laws and get away with it, we have elite politics who have no other interests except enriching themselves, we have illegal raids executed by non-government organisations; such as FPI, we have a town mayor who defies the supreme court order who ruled in favour of GKI Yasmin Bogor. The crime rates are rising and the type of crimes grow more horrendous each day.
I think that Indonesian people are getting tired of empty promises and the rhetorical statements of the current government and are searching for other possible option. Although it is not an ideal solution, but if Prabowo can run this country as tight as Suharto did, then perhaps corruption and human rights issue is a relatively small price to pay for a country still searching for its place and identity.
dashSPH
5:32pm Feb 29,
2012
Have you also thought of the fact why cabinet members must be of a certain racial background? Well certainly because only an Indonesian can Indoensia. It is an unspoken rule that will not change for generations to come. In terms of religion, a party with a Christian basis exists here in Indonesia. And surely they will not win or earn enough seats in the cabinet as 99% of the population is Muslim.
kungfu-panda
6:46pm Feb 29,
2012
ScottPilgrim
6:48pm Feb 29,
2012
soysoy42
6:53pm Feb 29,
2012
It is extremely infuriating when I see pictures on Facebook of sleeping members in the House of Representatives. What is the use of a governing body who do not show concern to the well being of their people?
Also, politicians have had quite the reputation for being “ethically immature and devoid of integrity”, and the fact that they constantly get caught committing fraud, one after the other prove how much these politicians underestimate the importance of integrity in the government.
It is also drop dead obvious that the current government has failed to address critical problems in Indonesia, proving how oblivious they are in identifying the needs of the people.
However, on the other hand, is Indonesia really looking for another Soeharto who will rule with an iron fist? Prabowo, after violating a series of human rights should be reevaluated with a mind of clarity. We must not be myopic. The problem with the government is the corruption that is going around unchecked. Will a man with charisma and a record of cruelty be able to fix this problem, or will he instead intensify corruption within the bureaucracy?
As much as we love to commemorate Soeharto for his amazing tribute to raising the Indonesian economy in the past, there were plenty of reasons why we, Indonesians, demanded Soeharto to step down. I believe we must stop looking back and look forward, and address the real venom to our country: the ending of corruption, and the search for a leader who will own the integrity to fight and abolish corruption in its most extreme forms.
DrDez
6:57pm Feb 29,
2012
I do think that if a suitable candidate, who was strong and just came forward he could gain the popular support. His / her issue would be that the elite would soon destroy his/her attempts via smear, scare and even violent campaigns..
I really do not see RI moving forward politically in the next decade. That could lead to further unrest which could lead to someone basically using his position to declare a state of emergency and impose a military solution. Prabowo could be that man. Bakrie probably does not have the military support to do so
The other candidates are just stalking horses right now
I suspect Bakrie will tie up with some military man as VP running mate to counter Prabowo's position - in turn maybe Prabowo will enlist someone like Hatta...
OptimusPrime
7:09pm Feb 29,
2012
Another point I would like to stress is what will Prabowo do if elected? This piece seems to have no clue! As seen in the 5th to last paragraph, it says that, "in reality, there are no indications that any of the current potential candidates are capable of offering anything new." So my question is, where did all this hype of Prabowo come from? The LSI who for all we know could be corrupt? Get real.
As a side note, what is a theology teacher doing writing this?
DrDez
7:25pm Feb 29,
2012
I understand your point. But I think our growth is despite not because of SBY. Indeed his weakness is leading to an awful lot of missed opportunities where inwards investors are being very cautious but also Indonesians are investing out of the country - just in case - spreading the risk etc
Another important issue is to understand the make up of that growth - once you strip out the DFI and population growth percentiles then actually we are not so great and growth is c 1.5 to 2%
However... I cannot see a viable alternative who could perform better
ScottPilgrim
7:31pm Feb 29,
2012
In several years the task of governing this country will fall to the up and coming generation, who should be fostered from early on to understand that change needs to occur. Though the current government has set a poor precedent, I believe that the Indonesian youths have the potential to be major game-changers - nationally and globally.
dashSPH
7:32pm Feb 29,
2012
And as for the governing body. It leads back to my initial statement. A change from the top must occur. And i think Prabowo would make an exceptional leader to make this change.
GreenLanternTrololols
7:45pm Feb 29,
2012
dashsph – when I was mentioning about my concern about racial background, I was referring to Indonesians who are born in Indonesia, but they were the descendants of non-native Indonesians. Aren’t they Indonesian as well? Furthermore, your response had proven my point. Why should the fact that Indonesia is comprised of a majority of Muslims affect the outcome of who is leading this country? Should that not be a determining factor of choosing someone to lead?
Kungfu Panda – I am not referring to any scandals at all in my response. I was referring to his ineffectiveness and failure to solve some of the most pressing issues in Indonesia like what I perivously mentioned, the Bapindo mud incident in East Java. Also your comment is rather insulting as you just offended me on my capability in potentially becoming a leader or being a part of any governing body. Also, criticizing is not always a bad thing, and only by evaluating the current state of government do we have any hope of ensuring a better future. If we don’t think deeply of such issues, it’s just going to worsened. For example, people like artists or writers often look for constructive criticism, not because they want to be belittled but so they can become better. Also, you have to take note on the fact that I do commend SBY on his anti-corruption movement, but the fact that he managed to ignore some things has proved otherwise.
dashSPH
7:47pm Feb 29,
2012
When will we see actual progress if all we can do to criticize. Time is of the essence!
kungfu-panda
8:00pm Feb 29,
2012
What kind of weakness are you referring to? A great deal of investors have invested in Indonesia since he took power, and that is part of the reason the economy have been improving a lot. Indonesia has also improved valuable ties with foreign countries, including the US too! At least our economy is going somewhere positive, despite the fact that it is only growing at a minuscule scale.
To the authors: I think your statement on "politicians could avoid this by being transparent" is extremely naive. Politicians are all about manipulation. A great quote by Dean Koontz: "A politician's goal is always to manipulate public debate. I think there are some politicians with higher goals. But all of them get corrupted by power."
dashSPH
8:01pm Feb 29,
2012
When will we see actual progress if all we can do to criticize. Time is of the essence!
kungfu-panda
8:09pm Feb 29,
2012
And btw, its Lapindo not Bapindo...
ScottPilgrim
8:10pm Feb 29,
2012
DrDez
8:39pm Feb 29,
2012
If I have to point out the weaknesses of the man then you clearly are not looking for them
soysoy42
8:58pm Feb 29,
2012
A new and transparent leader, dash? This is Wolverine, btw. We all desire a new and transparent leader, but face it. with great power comes great responsibility, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is not possible for one man to stop corruption that has perpetuated since you were born. It takes the realization of the wholeness of the bureaucracy and for them to actually begin to care about the needs of Indonesians everywhere. Let's be realistic.
Optimus Prime is a co-submitter of this comment.
@kungfupanda
It is sad to see how people have undermined the importance of integrity and true progress in a government and instead glorify all the wealth and prosperity corruption brings.
Is economic growth so important that it crushes the importance of individual human rights and the stop of corruption?
Have we become so consumed with material wealth that we forget the true characteristics a government should uphold?
kungfu-panda
9:10pm Feb 29,
2012
Surely everyone has weaknesses. The point I'm trying to make is we should hold him accountable for his strengths too; he's not getting enough appreciation for what he's done. And besides, by saying what you said doesn't mean you're aware of his weaknesses yourself.
kungfu-panda
9:21pm Feb 29,
2012
Your comments contradict itself in that you made it clear, corruption has perpetuated since we were born. It is an inevitable factor in life, so is in our current government, which is why some level of respect must be given to our leader because corruption is not solely in his control. I don't wish to undermine the importance of integrity in nation's development. But people almost never mention the strengths of a government. The fact that economy has grown is a measure of true development done under SBY's regime. Don't take this the wrong way, I highly encourage criticism so that we may continue to improve the nation by finding its faults. But let us not disregard the positives too; we must continue to strengthen that as well.
TheFrozone
9:24pm Feb 29,
2012
Taking away the cake that is the temptation for the representatives of our country. Who would you propose be this "transparent leader" that you speak of? A representative of the nation? Someone we might call the president maybe? Or someone who supersedes the authority of the president himself? And say if this transparent person was to one day put himself before the rest of the nation. Who then will take the cake away from our supreme ruler? When will this cycle end? Will it ever end? I agree with Optimus Prime and Wolverine
DrDez
9:31pm Feb 29,
2012
We should - but he should also be accountable for his failures dont you think?
Boarding on 10 mins - so I may not reply
rambo
9:36pm Feb 29,
2012
I also applaud to the writers of this article for pointing out the fact that no matter who leads indonesia, including Prabowo or Megawati or Aburizal or even SBY himself will not succeed unless they have the "courage to break the authoritarian past"
GreenLanternTrololols
9:46pm Feb 29,
2012
Mystique
9:46pm Feb 29,
2012
The corruption needs to stop. I appreciate the effort in trying to stop this, but honestly, I feel like our generation won't see the end of corruption in Indonesia.
In terms of Prabowo as a presidential candidate, this is what Indonesia needs. Indonesia boomed economically under Suharto, despite his abuse of human rights. Sometimes that's what a nation needs to succeed.
mswonderwoman
9:47pm Feb 29,
2012
and on an interesting side note. I think that the Dayak people have more gut and power than our beloved president. They seem to manage to send away the FPI in less than a day, something that SBY and our government seems to have trouble with, even though they've been dealing with this issue for years. Just another reason why Indonesia clearly needs a strong, decisive leader.
Deadpool
9:52pm Feb 29,
2012
That aside, regarding SBY right now, @kungfu-panda is right in that blaming everything entirely on him is not right and every individual should question whether they could do a better job in his position
ScottPilgrim
10:00pm Feb 29,
2012
soysoy42
10:01pm Feb 29,
2012
Main Submitter: Wolverine
Co-Submitter: Green Lantern, Scott Pilgrim
Co-Sponsor: Wonder Woman, Optimus Prime
It is extremely difficult to commend a government that is led by SBY for many reasons. The first being the way he addressed the Nassarudin case. Anyone who followed that news story would agree that SBY made an extremely weak public speech. He basically pleads Nassarudin to come home and share the truth so that justice can be procured. It was as if Nassarudin was the prodigal son! Next, so many corruption cases have been exposed revolving around cabinet members of SBY, showing that he cannot control his bureaucracy. SBY clearly does not recognize the magnitude of corruption and how it destroys Indonesia as a country.
mswonderwoman
10:06pm Feb 29,
2012
mystique - so you would rather live in fear for your life every single day for the next 4 years just to see Indonesia's economy booming? just a reminder, Prabowo was the mastermind of the 1998 riot. If he becomes President, what are the chances that there will be a second, or even worse riot in the future? We're trying fix our mistakes, not repeat history.
rambo
10:12pm Feb 29,
2012
BionicWoman
11:28pm Feb 29,
2012
ElektraNatchios
11:28pm Feb 29,
2012
F-l-a-s-h
11:49pm Feb 29,
2012
MALEWHITEBULE
11:58pm Feb 29,
2012
BRING BACK PKI.... ITS the only wayyy. Indonesians cant seem too get it together... so why dont they all give all the power to an authoritarian government. Like the one under Stalin back in the good old days. I mean just look at Russia now! its a major political power house and it was alllll because of Stalin.. good old Stalin. So lets stop talking about this presidential race because it shoudnt happen in the first place.
megamindSPH
12:15am Mar 1,
2012
Anyhow, we can see that there is progress. Even though it is moving at an excruciatingly slow pace, we can see that change is happening all around us. I suppose, as of right now, the best we can do is support SBY – after all his term as the president of Indonesia is not over yet. It is kind of depressing to know that even The Economist says that “50% of SBY’s orders go unheeded”. How can you expect the man to change Indonesia when his own government does not give the effort to listen to his orders?
littlemisscaptainunderpants
12:52am Mar 1,
2012
F-l-a-s-h
1:18am Mar 1,
2012
hlest
1:26am Mar 1,
2012
#1 iron
hlest
1:30am Mar 1,
2012
on a lighter note, the views of the government presented in this article made me chuckle, but for all the wrong reasons. It’s kind of sad that we actually agree to some of these incredibly unflattering images of the government. Change is truly what we need, not only in the government of the country, but in the way the people think as well.
Valkyrie
5:27am Mar 1,
2012
I believe you forgot to mention the main alleged 'culprit' in the Wisma Atlet debacle...A.U. Was this done on purpose?
How many of the Dems participated in the alleged money politics involving the support for AU?
I watched the news, and I assume you too. Several have admitted that they received monies amounting to almost 100 Million Rupiahs for supporting AU. The ongoing court case will, I hope produce valid evidence that AU's finances originate from ill gotten gains.
The Dems are demonic with wanton desires for wealth and power. Their arrogance is well known and I hope their day of reckoning will come soon. Top down.
padt
6:57am Mar 1,
2012
I am not sure why you ask this question.
Does it imply that a person trained in theology wouldn't have any understanding of politics or social sciences?
Does it imply - to me - the very false assumption that theology (religion) is a private affair and has no place in public life or the public square? (I am totally opposed to theocratic states and 'State Religions' but I believe religious people have a right to make their voice heard to politicians, like any citizen can - without the country becoming a place that lives under religious laws. Hence I believe in the 'separation of church and State' - but I do not believe religion should be told to 'shut up'.)I AM NOT suggesting you have implied this.
Why do I write these aricles with Yohanes Suliaman? He comes from an academic political background and I come from an academic religious background - both are concerned with human beings.
OptimusPrime
10:28am Mar 1,
2012
With that being said, I am actually a Christian who share your belief. I don't believe that religion of any kind should hinder someone from speaking their voice. Opinions matter and I, agreeing with you, don't believe that religion should be told to "shut up."
I commend you for writing this article and I hope that I didn't offend. I simply wanted the opinions of others on this matter because I do care about the future of my country.
padt
11:17am Mar 1,
2012
By the way - apart from curiosity - why did you ask the question?
And if I may make an aside - sometimes friends say to me, "You are not Indonesian. You should not comment on Indonesian affairs."
I always reply - "Yes - you have a point. And many would agree. It's up to the Indonesians to fix their own problems. Besides, I would not presume to even think that I can assist in fixing Indonesia's problems. But - also - given what is simply so unacceptable in Indonesia - in terms of the way some people behave and treat others - I also believe that when I look out the window - or across the street or into the face of anyone here - I don't simply see an Indonesian - I see a fellow human being. And that gives me the reason, duty and the right to comment."
tempodulu
11:33am Mar 1,
2012
OptimusPrime
11:48am Mar 1,
2012
padt
12:30pm Mar 1,
2012
Nothing will change in Indonesia until people change the way they think.
rambo
8:09pm Mar 1,
2012
If only he punished the offenders by for example death penalty like China did, other people would have been scared and probably leave corruption for good.
rambo
4:27am Mar 2,
2012
If only he punished the offenders by for example death penalty like China did, other people would have been scared and probably leave corruption for good.
padt
9:38am Mar 2,
2012
Every change in society begins with an idea. Not a deed. And the idea - the mentality must take root in the Indonesian psyche first before the deeds can be done.
Secondly you seem to say that SBY has not achieved as much in terms of eradicating corruption because he does not have the courage to do so even though he has the support.
I invite you to reflect why that may be so.
We get lots and lots of statements today - but they all fall short of the word "...because...."
Perhaps the 'because' word is not used much in Indonesia because it is considered impolite to talk about 'negative' things.
SBY's administration will make an interesting study in the next decade - because it will reveal just how Indonesians deal with history - and the facts.
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