House and the Indosat divestment<\/p>\n
From Koran Tempo<\/p>\n
The Indosat divestment case has drawn public attention and it
\nremains to be seen how it will end. And now there is another
\ncase: The simultaneous hikes of fuel prices, electricity rates
\nand telephone tariffs. Rallies have been held everywhere, lashing
\nout strongly at the government. These rallies are legal and
\nnatural.<\/p>\n
The problem now is whether or not these policies -- the
\nIndosat divestment and the simultaneous price hikes -- are solely
\nthe government's, as is usually alleged in the rallies. Let's
\nallow the facts to speak for themselves.<\/p>\n
The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has decided upon
\nprivatization, and Commission IX of the House of Representatives
\nhas also determined which state-owned enterprises must be
\nprivatized. Every year, the Budget Commission of the House
\nincludes privatization as a source of funds for the state budget.
\nWhen privatization has been implemented, the House members
\nthemselves have lashed out at it. Observers are no longer
\nscientifically objective as their observations are colored by
\ntheir political leaning.<\/p>\n
Strangely, though, all of a sudden, many House members are of
\nthe opinion that the Indosat divestment is the sole affair of
\nCommission IX and the government. In fact, Commission IX is part
\nof the House, not of a political party. This commission is
\ncomposed of representatives of different factions.<\/p>\n
As if to justify this weird situation, protests have been
\nlodged. Some House members have tried to exercise their right to
\ninterpellate, while others have tried to resort to their right to
\ninquire. Still others have demanded the establishment of a
\nspecial committee. Then, all of a sudden (again), many House
\nmembers have found themselves protesting alongside Indosat
\nemployees.<\/p>\n
What about the price hikes? Vice President Hamzah Haz has said
\nthat these hikes were the result of a political decision that the
\ngovernment made jointly with the House.<\/p>\n
Given the facts above, is it really fair to say that only the
\ngovernment has committed a heinous sin, while the House members
\nare "holy"?. Protesters must see these cases with open eyes and
\nminds.<\/p>\n
SUSI PURWATINI
\n Jakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-and-the-indosat-divestment-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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