East Timor has been freed from Indonesia. But for Indonesia,
East Timor has been freed from Indonesia. But for Indonesia, East Timor-related problems linger; the refugees; rights violation cases and war veterans who are still disgruntled over former president B.J. Habibie's decision to grant the former province a vote for independence.
Things have been turned upside down since East Timor's independence. Those who fought for Indonesia, like Eurico Guterres, are being convicted for their service to the "Red-and- White" (Indonesian flag).
The former commander of Pro-Indonesia fighters, who refused to join the new East Timor rulers, was sentenced to 10 years in jail by the ad hoc human rights court in Jakarta on Wednesday.
It was ironic that the court said Guterres had failed to stop his men from attacking the house of Manuel Carrascalao, the elder brother of Mario Viegas Carrascalao, former East Timor governor. Both Mario and Manuel joined the new rulers of East Timor.
"If I am punished because of my failure to stop my men (from violence) then what about the chief of Military Resort 164, the East Timor Police chief and the President of the country?" Guterres wondered aloud after the verdict.
The only hope for Guterres is clemency from the President.
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta
Sony Corp's decision
Sony Corp's plan to quit Indonesia proves that the investment climate is very poor in this country.
Sony's head office in Japan has reportedly said it was done to lessen the number of its plants abroad from 70 to 54. Sony's plant in Indonesia, which produces audio equipment has only 1,100 employees, compared to Malaysia's plant which has 11,000 workers.
In 2000 a huge workers' demonstration forced Sony in Indonesia to close for four months.
The step to be taken by Sony Corp should be a warning to the government that the investment climate must be improved.
Another Japanese electronics producer Matsushita also planned to withdraw its investment some years ago. The plan was canceled after the government approached the company and found out the real problems faced by the company.
Reports said that the government would set up a special task force to deal with Sony Corp's plan.
The question is what next? What can the government do to create a good investment climate?
-- Harian Ekonomi Neraca, Jakarta