James Riady and foreign loans

James Riady and foreign loans

In a relatively short time, Indonesia succeeded in gaining
prestige. The first indication of this newly acquired prestige
occurred when Indonesia was categorized as a country successful
in development, which led to some restrictions being applied in
the granting of loans. This was to the people's disadvantage. The
second took place when it was reported that an Indonesian tycoon
had paid tribute to the leader of a superpower country.

Initially, Indonesia was known as a poor country. Hence, the
willingness of certain countries to extend aid. Now that an
Indonesian businessman is capable of giving bribes while many
Indonesian people are still poor, donor countries may wonder if
the channeling of foreign aid to Indonesia is right, because the
aid has not brought welfare to the people, but has made the
tycoons richer.

The achievement of Indonesia's diplomatic efforts abroad may
be measured by James Riady's role. If eventually, the U.S. is
willing to sell its fighter planes to Indonesia, the people will
think that it is thanks to Riady. On the other hand, if the Nobel
committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the wrong person, it
is because there is no James Riady in Norway.

SUKANTO

Jakarta