Raising funds<\/p>\n
PT Lasindo Multimedia, assigned by the organizing committee of
\nthe 15th National Games 2000 to collect funds for this sports
\nevent, has been able to collect Rp 17.8 billion donated by 28
\nsponsors, while the target set for these funds is only Rp 11
\nbillion (Bisnis Indonesia, June 3, 2000).<\/p>\n
Success in raising funds as shown by PT Lasindo Multimedia
\nshould be a model for the House of Representatives and the
\ngovernment in raising funds from private and state enterprises
\nand also from the community or individuals concerned with the
\ngreat plight that the state and the nation now finds itself in.
\nThese funds may be used, for example, to open up employment
\nopportunities, assist our fellow countrymen in areas needing
\nevacuation, put a stop to anarchic acts, eradicate the abuse of
\ndrugs and do other noble jobs in order to bring back order and
\npeace of mind in the community and revive economic activities.<\/p>\n
Our debts now total US$134 billion or Rp 1,139 trillion (Good
\nheavens!). It seems as if we would abandon all our dignity if,
\nagain, we beg the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial
\nassistance. Let's now all stand up in a dignified manner to
\nmobilize our own forces.<\/p>\n
One of the ways to mobilize funds is that the government, for
\nexample, issues different kinds of residential identity cards,
\njust like credit cards.<\/p>\n
There would be, for example, diamond cards, gold cards, silver
\ncards and bronze cards for citizens willing to donate
\nrespectively Rp 1 billion, Rp 100 million, Rp 10 million and Rp 1
\nmillion for their residential identity cards. I am sure that
\nsuccessful business magnates and tycoons like Mr. Eka Cipta
\nWijaya, Mr. Ciputra, Mr. Yusuf Kalla (Bukaka Group), Mr. James
\nRiyadi, Mr. Setiawan Jody and Mr. Probosutedjo would be willing
\nto give donations in this manner as long as the government could
\nconvince them that the funds would be spent purely and
\ntransparently for the urgent needs aforementioned.<\/p>\n
The same way could also be adopted in the case of driver's
\nlicenses, passports and other identity cards which are very
\npersonal in nature. Owing to this highly personal nature, the
\nissuance of such identity cards would not spark any social envy.<\/p>\n
There is still another way that the government could resort to
\nin mobilizing public funds. A citizen willing to pay land and
\nbuilding tax and vehicular registration for five to 10 years at
\nonce or pay his electricity\/telephone bills for a period of one
\nto five years at one go would be entitled to a discount or
\nspecial treatment. A payment system like this would entail
\nexemption from any future tariff hikes.<\/p>\n
It must be borne in mind that normal ways will not work to
\novercome the critical situation that we find ourselves in now. We
\nneed breakthroughs or rather crazy methods.<\/p>\n
In line with the novel fund mobilization, the government must
\nalso ensure that unproductive expenses must be reduced to the
\nminimum. Official ceremonies, for example, must be simplified.<\/p>\n
All government officials from the highest to the lowest ranks
\nmust live a simple life and show that they are different from New
\nOrder government officials.<\/p>\n
H. WISDARMANTO GS<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/raising-funds-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }