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