Award for 'Bang' Ali

Award for 'Bang' Ali

The Indonesian Institute of Sciences presented the Sarwono
Award to former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin for his great
efforts in developing marine science and technology. On Saturday
Ali, better known as Bang Ali, also received the Cipta Utama
Award from the Jakarta Arts Council for his vision to build the
Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (TIM) among other art centers.

The 75-year-old retired marine general has also received
awards from Yogyakarta for his achievement in promoting batik in
the 1970s.

Last year Ali was also awarded for his initiative in the
establishment of the badminton club, Jaya Raya, which has
produced world champion shuttlers.

The phenomenal 'Bang' Ali should always be remembered as the
visionary behind the Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (Legal Aid Institute),
and the construction of youth centers in the five mayoralties of
the capital.

While Jakarta is busy with the election of governor for the
2002-2007 term, awards for Ali make us think what kind of
governor Jakarta really needs. It is not that easy to find a
governor who can implement his bright visions and ideas like Ali
Sadikin could.

The outspoken Ali is a staunch critic of his successors'
policies who have been progressively destroying what he built and
managed. Not one of his successors has taken his advice or
responded positively to his criticism. It is no wonder then, that
what we have now is a chaotic capital city.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta

Thieves will always steal

The Indonesian Navy nabbed seven foreign dredging vessels for
alleged illegal sand mining in late July. Last week, a marine
sand exploitation control team, headed by Minister of Maritime
Affairs and Fisheries Rokhmin Dahuri, decided to bring the case
to the court.

But the team also decided to exempt the seven vessels from
being confiscated and instead to use them on loan and to impose a
fine. Our question: Can the team make sure the vessels will not
sail away?

It was rumored the case would be settled by payment of a fine
Then there was also a rumor about bribery worth millions of U.S.
dollars.

A day before this controversial decision, a marine sand
businessman from Singapore met Minister Dahuri. Singapore needs
marine sand for its coastal reclamation, a project that actually
reduces Indonesia's territorial waters. One can smell illegal
business in this case.

That's why Indonesia has tightened its control over sand
mining. Unfortunately, the marine sand exploitation control team
has not taken firm action against the detained vessels. Remember,
thieves will be thieves. The government must not succumb to them.
The team must announce who has hired the vessels. Or, perhaps
keeping their names secret also means making money? -- Republika,
Jakarta

Stubborn legislators

We thought at first that neglect, recklessness or, perhaps, a
protest of sorts was the reason why 155 legislators -- members of
both the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of
Representatives (DPR) -- have not yet submitted the declaration
of their wealth and assets to the Public Servants' Wealth Audit
Commission (KPKPN).

However, by virtue of Law No. 28/1999, MPR Decree No. XI/1998
and the code of conduct of the House of Representatives, it is
mandatory for legislators to submit this list to the KPKPN.

Of course, there must be reasons why the legislators are
reluctant to declare their wealth. Some may prefer to declare
their wealth by showing it off. Others may feel awkward because
their official earnings cannot justify their wealth. Or, perhaps,
they may not have legal evidence of their assets. KPKPN
understands this situation and has been quite tolerant to a
certain extent.

However, in this reform era, transparency is the order of the
day. Legislators and state officials must realize that their
respected, exalted position entails consequences, one of which is
transparency.

As the MPR/DPR is tasked with ensuring that the government run
on the right track, these institutions need the credibility and
respect of their members.

Rome is not built overnight. It is now time for the MPR/DPR
members to prove themselves worthy of being called the people's
representatives. -- Kompas, Jakarta