Gus Dur on estates

Gus Dur on estates

From Republika

I worked for a long time at state-owned estates (PTP), even
before the nationalization of Dutch-owned companies in 1957,
until I retired in 1984. I feel deeply concerned about President
Gus Dur's statement on May 23, 2000 in front of the participants
of the National Conference on the Management of Natural
Resources. The President said that "Those estate companies have,
in fact, stolen land (belonging to the people). They did not pay
for the land and just took it away. I am now offering a win-win
solution. The land is to be returned to the people in the form of
40 percent of shares in the companies".

The statement has caused disappointment among my former
colleagues, now retired as well, as well as those who are still
in active service. They wonder if the head of state is not aware
that his statement, with unelegant words, may disturb the safety
and tranquility of work at the state-owned estates, with all the
consequences. At a time when we are determined to concentrate all
our efforts on restoring the economy, he should avoid making such
statements, especially in public fora.

A foreign finance expert, for example, before returning to
Paris, commented: "How can your government privatize estates if
your President makes such statements? Even interested investors
will reconsider their plan."

My suggestion is very elementary. The President must always
check the truth of the information he receives, in this case on
the subject of estates. He should check through the existing
supervision mechanisms, such as the Council of Commissioners, the
Supreme Audit Agency and public accountants, etc.

If the President suggests the transfer of 40 percent of PTP
shares to the people, the employees of the estate companies will
certainly be among the beneficiaries. The proposal should be
submitted to the state institutions like the House of
Representatives and the Cabinet, because the government is the
shareholder.

Thus, wrong interpretations could be avoided in the community.
It would delay the achievement of a win-win solution, as the
President is hoping for.

SOEMITRO HADIMIDJOJO

Jakarta