Commission split over use of 'indigenous' in decree<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A dispute at the People's Consultative Assembly
\nover use of the term \"indigenous Indonesian\" in a draft decree on
\npolitical economy was narrowly prevented from going to a vote
\nlate on Thursday after some frantic behind the scenes lobbying.<\/p>\n
During the meeting of Assembly Commission D, the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) faction insisted that the decree should
\ncater to \"small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, especially
\nindigenous Indonesians\".<\/p>\n
However members of the other four factions said the decree
\nshould not contain the word \"indigenous\" because it could be
\ninterpreted in a racist manner and might backfire on the country.<\/p>\n
The 206 commission members, led by businessman Yusuf Kalla of
\nthe regional representatives faction, successfully persuaded the
\nPPP that the draft in its current form catered sufficiently to
\nthe needs of Indonesian entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n
Speaking before the decision was taken, businessman Imam
\nTaufik of the Golkar faction said: \"Without quoting the word
\n'indigenous', the current draft decree already caters to the
\nneeds of indigenous people.\"<\/p>\n
Taufik, who heads the Association of Indigenous Indonesian
\nBusinessmen (HIPPI), said 90 percent of the small and medium-
\nscale entrepreneurs targeted by the decree are indigenous.<\/p>\n
He expressed concern that the international community would
\ndeem Indonesia racist and discriminatory if the word \"indigenous\"
\nwas used in the text of the decree. \"The current draft decree is
\ngood, so why ruin it with one word?\" he said.<\/p>\n
The decree on politics in a democratic economy aims to
\nencourage small and medium-scale entrepreneurs to play a larger
\nrole in the economy through preferential facilities for them.<\/p>\n
During the commission's morning plenary session, noted
\nbusinessman James Riady, representing the business community on
\nthe commission, disagreed with PPP's proposal.<\/p>\n
\"If there are 200 or 250 non-indigenous businessmen who are
\nrotten, then they should be condemned, but don't dismiss the
\nremaining eight million non-indigenous Indonesians,\" James, who
\nis himself a Chinese-Indonesian, told the plenary session.<\/p>\n
James said the decree should instead focus on a more equitable
\ndistribution of wealth by improving welfare in rural areas.<\/p>\n
He also blamed the government for the inequitable wealth
\ndistribution, saying the government controls between 60 percent
\nand 80 percent of the country's economy through ownership of
\nnatural resources and state-owned firms.<\/p>\n
\"In the last 25 years, the growth in sectors controlled by the
\nstate, such as mining and utilities, has been a mere 1 to 2
\npercent, while growth of the private sector reached 11 to 12
\npercent,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, discussion of the draft decree on regional autonomy
\nproceeded smoothly. (das)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/commission-split-over-use-of-indigenous-in-decree-1447893297",
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