No trespassing on Soeharto land<\/p>\n
From time to time I visit the family of a friend who has a
\nbungalow in Lebak Ciheurang, West Java. There are two ways to get
\nthere: One is much longer and the road is very winding and rough.
\nThe second is through a gate that goes past a group of houses
\nconnected to pak Soeharto's cattle ranch. These houses are for
\nhis staff (most likely supervisory, as the houses are very nice).
\nThis route used to be kept locked but since Soeharto was deposed
\nthe gate has been opened, thus saving 30 minutes off the travel
\ntime for visitors to the area.<\/p>\n
I was going to visit my friend at the bungalow recently. I
\narrived at the gate at 10:30 p.m. and was denied entrance. The
\nguards, of which there were four, stated that this was private
\nland and that it was too late to enter. I said that if I had to
\nreturn to the main road to take the other route it would add an
\nhour to my trip. After some haggling, I was allowed to pass.<\/p>\n
Hasn't the time come to start doing something about the second
\nex-president and his family's holdings? It seems they're low on
\nthe priority list of alleged corruptors for punishment. The
\ncattle are all the very finest and are well looked after.
\nWouldn't it be in the best interests of the people to have the
\ngovernment take over this ranch and have the profits go to the
\npoor whose land was stolen when the ranch was established?<\/p>\n
Other Soeharto family members also own large tracts in that
\narea. One has built numerous glass houses in which paprika and
\ntomatoes are grown. He also has a large tea plantation. The land
\nup until recently was guarded by members of the army's Special
\nForces. As a way of paying back some of the country's debt that
\nwas incurred by this family wouldn't it be better for the
\ngovernment to take over this farm and reap the profits? Or are we
\nto keep on making the Soeharto family one of the richest in the
\nworld?<\/p>\n
Who is paying to keep this road closed? Who pays for the
\nguards? What are they guarding?<\/p>\n
AMINATUN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-trespassing-on-soeharto-land-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }