Change ownership of Cendana assets

Change ownership of Cendana assets

From Rakyat Merdeka

Allow me to express my opinion about several recent news items which have drawn many people's attention:

* Regarding efforts to collect the assets of Cendana's cronies stashed abroad, I suggest that ownership of these assets must be transferred from the cronies to the Indonesian government, in this case, the minister of finance. Let the assets in the form of cash remain in overseas banks, but place their ownership in the hands of the minister of finance. In this way the government can enjoy the interest accruing from these deposits. Foreign banks may not agree to the withdrawal of deposits (belonging to just anybody) because this means allowing funds to leave the country. As for immovable assets, they may simply be sold and the proceeds deposited. The country in which the assets are now stashed may be willing to help the Indonesian government in this respect.

* Regarding the messy economic condition, I suggest the government establish a nongovernmental institution, such as an independent commission. The members, who must be free from practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), would be authorized to receive reports on practices of KKN. These reports would then be submitted to the authorities. This is a good way to eradicate practices of KKN. It all depends on the willingness of the government, though.

* About the government's plan to relocate victims of Sambas riots to islands close to East Kalimantan, I suggest the government choose a fertile island far from Sambas. If the island is close to Sambas, it is feared that these relocated victims will be attacked again. The boats carrying Sambas refugees were intercepted by boats from Sambas the other day, weren't they?

GENDIN

Jakarta