Fight collusion!

Fight collusion!

From Surabaya Post

The community hailed Prof. Soemitro's statement to reporters
that collusion must be fought. Meanwhile Director General of Tax
Fuad Bawazier categorized positive collusion from negative
collusion. According to him, negative collusion occurs between
officials and businessmen, and is based on personal interest. It
is very difficult to identify and prove this type of collusion.

On the other hand, he supports positive collusion which is
aimed at promoting the economic growth.

Frankly speaking, collusion is a common phenomenon in modern
society, particularly in the business sector. Unfortunately, most
collusions are negative in nature. This means that collusions are
done mainly for personal gains rather than for encouraging
economic growth.

How can we educate both the officials and the entrepreneurs so
that they shun the practice of negative collusion? First, we
should use persuasive measures. The values of Pancasila and how
to live by them must be taught to them. Second, repressive
measures must be taken whenever necessary. Supervision activities
must be enhanced to prevent monetary leakage resulting from
collusion.

Those found guilty of collusion must be severely and
indiscriminately dealt with.

SETIABUDI

Kediri, East Java

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ANPAk..r..
Letter-Bogor-cleanliness
Bogor after APEC meeting
JP/4/LETTER4

Bogor after APEC meeting

From Kompas

Thirty-five years ago, when I was still a girl, I loved to
spend my holidays in Puncak. We went there via Bogor. Back then
Bogor was nice, cool and clean. But now, in spite of its slogan
Tegar Beriman (an acronym for orderly, fresh, clean, beautiful
and safe), Bogor is no longer as convenient and safe as it used
to be.

Surprisingly, when the APEC meeting was about to convene, we
found Bogor truly more beautiful and cleaner than it was 35 years
ago.

Now it is our job to keep Bogor as beautiful and clean as
ever.

NELLY SUPARNO

Bogor, West Java

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LETTER-village-naming
Is BNI City approved?
JP/4/LETTER4

Is BNI City approved?

From Neraca

We learned from the media that a kampong in the Dukuh Atas
area, Central Jakarta, is called "BNI City". In this area BNI
bank and a hotel of international standards have been built. More
luxurious buildings are going to be built later.

According to the regulation, even a name of a street must have
the approval of the legislative body. So in this case, has the
legislative body given its approval in naming the village "BNI
City"? Even if the body has approved the name, it sounds strange
that there is a city within a city. Can't they use Indonesian
words to name their village? We should have national pride by
using national identities.

I call on the authority to be firm enough in dealing with the
developers who tend to use foreign words like "City" and
"village" to name housing complexes.

SUTARDI DW

Jakarta

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Letter-tourism-promotion
APEC and tourism
JP/4/LETTER5

APEC and tourism

From Media Indonesia

The APEC meeting is now a thing of the past. Included in the
18 heads of state/governments present at the meeting were the
President of the United States, Japan's Prime Minister, South
Korea's President and Australia's Prime Minister. A meeting of
such magnitude was surely watched by TV viewers throughout the
world.

Up to now, many foreigners do not know Indonesia well. Many
know Bali, but they do not know Bali is part of Indonesia. I
would like to suggest now that the APEC meeting has ended,
promotion of tourism should be intensified by distributing
brochures to travel agencies in the world -- America, Europe and
other strategic countries.

When I was abroad it was easy to find brochures of different
countries in the travel agencies, but none about Indonesia. It is
our common hope that the number of foreign tourists will increase
following the APEC meeting.

Just imagine, not less than 45 million tourists visit Spain
every year. In fact Indonesia is a potential tourist destination,
not unlike Spain. Yet Indonesia has only five million tourists a
year.

F. PUDYANTO SURADIBROTO

Jakarta

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Letter-language-Mandarin
Mandarin language
JP/4/LETTER6

Mandarin language

From Surabaya Post

Making the Mandarin language one of the requirements for
applying to a job is detrimental to the unity and integrity of
the nation.

It should be noted that Mandarin is only understood by people
over 50 years old.

In spite of that, it is essential to learn the language along
with other foreign languages if we want to make progress.

About 20 years ago B.M. Diah suggested that more people should
learn the Mandarin language and the number of schools of Sinology
be increased. The late St. Takdir Alisyahbana made the same
suggestion.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with learning Mandarin.

Name and address

withheld

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Letter-gathering-rules
Criminal Code: Article 510
JP/4/LETTER7

Criminal Code: Article 510

From Suara Karya

Article 510 of the Criminal Code stipulates: "A fine of Rp
25,000 shall be imposed on those who, without prior permission
from the police head, (1) hold a party or public entertainment
event and (2) hold a procession on public roads.

Many people, including lawyers, interpret this article as
applying to such activities as parties, processions in open
spaces, entertainment like movies, carnivals, bands, dramas etc.

The police, however, apply this article to cancel meetings,
seminars, informal discussions, workshops, even down to limited
meetings. The article is also used as a means/reason to break up
demonstrations held in front of a state institution.

The right to hold meetings and to express opinions is actually
guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution. Remember this country has
been independent for almost 50 years and adopts Pancasila
democracy. The people should not be denied of their rights under
the pretext of maintaining security and stability.

In this context I would like to request the following:

* The Supreme Justice should issue an advisory note about the
correct interpretation of article 510 of the Criminal Code.

* The Government should present a bill to the House of
Representatives by which the right to hold meetings and express
opinions is governed.

* Meanwhile the President could issue a temporary decision to
this effect in order to facilitate the implementation of the
people's rights.

Obviously we need a clearly-defined regulation so that society
will be well-versed with the rules of the game. Only under such
circumstances can society consciously abide by the law and also
avoid friction with the law enforcing body.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta