A minister for privatization

A minister for privatization

From Pikiran Rakyat

Chapter XIV, Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution stipulates
the following:

1. The economy is arranged as a common enterprise based on the
principle of family spirit, and thus such an enterprise should be
in the form of cooperatives.

2. Production sectors which are significant for the state and
primarily concern the welfare of society must be under the
control of the state.

3. Only enterprises which do not concern the welfare of society
can be left to the control of the private sector.

In relation to point number 2, it seems unwise to maintain the
existence of the state companies including those in the provinces
as, instead of contributing to the state and provincial coffers,
they have merely become a burden to the nation and a source of
corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Many state companies are not involved in vital and strategic
businesses which actually must be handled by the private sector
or cooperatives.

We all know that state enterprises are supposed to be able to
support the national budget to finance our nation as well as
regional developments. Their contributions are drawn from the
profits gained, and not by putting aside the operational costs
during a specific period. Sadly, the companies, more often than
not, suffer losses during that period. This is evident from their
growing debts which they are unable to pay.

Given this state of affairs, in an effort to make our economy
healthy, the government should seriously consider privatizing
state companies and putting greater emphasis on the need for
intensifying cooperatives. So I suggest that the government
appoint a State Minister of Privatization.

YUSUF R.

Tasikmalaya, West Java