Is a Rp 550 billion fee normal?

Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) chairman A.A. Baramuli's statement in Bisnis Indonesia of Aug. 9 saying that a Rp 550 billion fee is normal is highly arbitrary, thereby treading on the people's sense of justice. Bank Bali is a public bank with most of its shares owned by the government. In other words the greater part of the fee will be carried by the government and therefore the public. The way the big fee was obtained is considered by banking experts, members of the House of Representatives and other people who love this country, as an act of engineering and as a cruel violation of the property rights of the people who are suffering due to this grueling debt burden.

Does the DPA chairman not understand this? The chairman of a government institution should give wise counsel -- "supreme" in nature -- and not heat up a situation and always side with the people's interest so he can keep the President away from actions which are contrary to the people's wishes. Ironically he has made a statement to justify the "plunder" of the people's money (though packaged in a cession deal that will eventually show its rotten nature). We can imagine how bigoted, vain and narrow- minded his moral attitude and way of thinking are. This characteristic has already been seen in many news reports both on the accusation of conspiracy addressed to Ali Sadikin and the distribution of money just before the election campaigns.

In order not to prejudice President Habibie's position due to Baramuli's statements purporting that "Habibie can do no wrong" -- and this is often contrary to the norms of justice and the people's will -- I hereby urge the House to immediately take steps to replace Baramuli with a statesman who really is on the side of the people and capable of making statements that reflect peace and love. There must be justice and transparency.

WISDARMANTO

Jakarta