Debts, proceeds from oil
Debts, proceeds from oil
Our high-ranking state officials have secured from the
Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) fresh loans worth a total
of US$5.9 billion. These loans will be enough to cover the
deficit in our 2000-2001 budget. It is still a big question mark
how we should ever be able to repay our huge debts, which now
amount to over $150 billion. Reportedly these loans are no longer
designated for the construction of roads or bridges as part of
the loans is allocated to feed people. My impression is that the
government is now pursuing the policy of "borrowing from Paul to
pay Peter".
The huge size of the fresh loans ($5.9 billion) has reminded
me of a report (hopefully this is not true) about "inefficiency"
worth $6.1 billion (Rp 43 trillion) in the state-owned enterprise
handling the oil and gas matters. I wish that all state-owned
enterprises were properly run and then we would not have this
"inefficiency" and the government would have to go into big
trouble to try to find fresh loans worth $5.9 billion.
As a geologist working in the oil and gas sector, I know that
our country is rich in oil and gas deposits, from Aceh in the
northern part of Sumatra to Irian Jaya, as well as, also, in the
waters round Natuna. My friends, the oil drilling workers have
worked night and day despite the glaring sun, downpours, strong
winds and even huge waves just to make sure that their drilling
jobs are safe and successful.
Many oil companies have found new oil fields in a number of
sites and I myself have often seen with my own eyes how oil
gushes forth after a production test in a new oil field. This
means that Indonesians, particularly in the oil and gas sector,
have made great achievements in this respect and therefore
contributed substantially to the state. On paper, the economy of
the country should be good and the people live in prosperity.
However, things are the other way around. Where have all the
fruits of our hard work gone? Where have all the proceeds from
our natural wealth gone? Why do our high-ranking state officials
keep acquiring fresh loans? Let's reflect upon this simple but
meaningful philosophical adage of "living beyond your station
that life entitles you to" or another one which reads "the beams
are not enough to support the ceiling."
SOEGENG HARTONO
Jakarta