Award for 'Bang' Ali<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences presented the Sarwono
\nAward to former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin for his great
\nefforts in developing marine science and technology. On Saturday
\nAli, better known as Bang Ali, also received the Cipta Utama
\nAward from the Jakarta Arts Council for his vision to build the
\nTaman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) among other art centers.<\/p>\n
The 75-year-old retired marine general has also received
\nawards from Yogyakarta for his achievement in promoting batik in
\nthe 1970s.<\/p>\n
Last year Ali was also awarded for his initiative in the
\nestablishment of the badminton club, Jaya Raya, which has
\nproduced world champion shuttlers.<\/p>\n
The phenomenal 'Bang' Ali should always be remembered as the
\nvisionary behind the Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (Legal Aid Institute),
\nand the construction of youth centers in the five mayoralties of
\nthe capital.<\/p>\n
While Jakarta is busy with the election of governor for the
\n2002-2007 term, awards for Ali make us think what kind of
\ngovernor Jakarta really needs. It is not that easy to find a
\ngovernor who can implement his bright visions and ideas like Ali
\nSadikin could.<\/p>\n
The outspoken Ali is a staunch critic of his successors'
\npolicies who have been progressively destroying what he built and
\nmanaged. Not one of his successors has taken his advice or
\nresponded positively to his criticism. It is no wonder then, that
\nwhat we have now is a chaotic capital city.<\/p>\n
-- Warta Kota, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Thieves will always steal<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Navy nabbed seven foreign dredging vessels for
\nalleged illegal sand mining in late July. Last week, a marine
\nsand exploitation control team, headed by Minister of Maritime
\nAffairs and Fisheries Rokhmin Dahuri, decided to bring the case
\nto the court.<\/p>\n
But the team also decided to exempt the seven vessels from
\nbeing confiscated and instead to use them on loan and to impose a
\nfine. Our question: Can the team make sure the vessels will not
\nsail away?<\/p>\n
It was rumored the case would be settled by payment of a fine
\nThen there was also a rumor about bribery worth millions of U.S.
\ndollars.<\/p>\n
A day before this controversial decision, a marine sand
\nbusinessman from Singapore met Minister Dahuri. Singapore needs
\nmarine sand for its coastal reclamation, a project that actually
\nreduces Indonesia's territorial waters. One can smell illegal
\nbusiness in this case.<\/p>\n
That's why Indonesia has tightened its control over sand
\nmining. Unfortunately, the marine sand exploitation control team
\nhas not taken firm action against the detained vessels. Remember,
\nthieves will be thieves. The government must not succumb to them.
\nThe team must announce who has hired the vessels. Or, perhaps
\nkeeping their names secret also means making money? -- Republika,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Stubborn legislators<\/p>\n
We thought at first that neglect, recklessness or, perhaps, a
\nprotest of sorts was the reason why 155 legislators -- members of
\nboth the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) -- have not yet submitted the declaration
\nof their wealth and assets to the Public Servants' Wealth Audit
\nCommission (KPKPN).<\/p>\n
However, by virtue of Law No. 28\/1999, MPR Decree No. XI\/1998
\nand the code of conduct of the House of Representatives, it is
\nmandatory for legislators to submit this list to the KPKPN.<\/p>\n
Of course, there must be reasons why the legislators are
\nreluctant to declare their wealth. Some may prefer to declare
\ntheir wealth by showing it off. Others may feel awkward because
\ntheir official earnings cannot justify their wealth. Or, perhaps,
\nthey may not have legal evidence of their assets. KPKPN
\nunderstands this situation and has been quite tolerant to a
\ncertain extent.<\/p>\n
However, in this reform era, transparency is the order of the
\nday. Legislators and state officials must realize that their
\nrespected, exalted position entails consequences, one of which is
\ntransparency.<\/p>\n
As the MPR\/DPR is tasked with ensuring that the government run
\non the right track, these institutions need the credibility and
\nrespect of their members.<\/p>\n
Rome is not built overnight. It is now time for the MPR\/DPR
\nmembers to prove themselves worthy of being called the people's
\nrepresentatives. -- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>",
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