Love affairs, lies and stereotypes

Love affairs, lies and stereotypes

JAKARTA (JP): The truck stopped abruptly in front of a motel-
like building on the main road to Surabaya, and the driver jumped
out, instructing his conductor to park the truck and get it ready
for the continuation of the trip. He was impatient to meet his
waiting lover, a country girl.

Love affairs between long-distance truck and bus drivers with
girls along the road are typical.

But such love affairs occur not only among the common people.
People of high status, especially those in power, do that too,
although often in a more discreet manner. (Remember Clinton and
Lewinsky?)

I was once furious when my hotel reservation in Bali was
suddenly altered. The reason for the change was that a Mr. Polan
had suddenly shown up at the Island of the Goddess and occupied
the room I reserved.

"You mean the Mr. Polan?" I asked in surprise. "And what, in
the name of anything holy, makes him desire this low-class room?"
As far as I know, he can afford the bullet-proof presidential
suite once occupied by Reagan at Nusa Dua.

"Ssst, he is our super VIP guest, staying with Miss Semprul.
It is his favorite room, because it is situated away from the
crowd. He always stays there every time he travels incognito."

Ah, Mr. Polan and Miss Semprul! Two Indonesian celebrities who
appear frequently on TV. The man was a high-ranking government
official and the woman was a movie star and then became a
successful businesswoman after becoming Mr. Polan's mistress.
"Official" rumor has it that the lady dumped her husband in
return for the gift of a high-rise apartment building from Mr.
Polan.

Starting a love affair with another woman to spur the working
spirit is the stereotype for those with an unlimited source of
money, either in government or in business. A recent case of this
kind, involving a minister and a lady celebrity, has just rocked
Habibie's administration, although at low intensity. The tabloid
that unveiled it disappeared as soon as it hit the stands.

How could a government official have an unlimited source of
money? Well, theoretically, their salaries may not be adequate
even for their domestic spending. But look at all the
opportunities to rake in money!

In Indonesia, an assignment to a government post is usually
seen as some kind of Bonanza. A government official with a salary
of less than Rp 1 million per month would feel unlucky if, at the
end of his service, he came up with "only" a few billion in his
savings and a few companies run by his relatives. The luckier
ones could do better with investment schemes in neighboring
countries and a dozen luxurious houses scattered from Beverly
Hills to the South of France, plus hefty accounts in foreign
banks, just in case.

This luck depends on the department an official is assigned
to. A "wet" department (this term refers to departments that
control large government companies or those that issue various
permits) could be a minister's ticket to unlimited access to
where the money is. A signature of approval, or a few words of
katabeletje (note of recommendation) at this level could make
billions, as well as attract an array of beautiful women.

For a housewife, assignment of her husband to a key position
could be just like winning in an arisan (a traditional gathering
of people in which participants contribute a sum of money and
take turns winning it in a lucky draw). It comes with the
opportunity for tax-payer-paid tours around the world with
unlimited money to spend, and abundant gifts from those who owe
her husband favors.

In the New Order government, a minister's wife could just hop
on a plane for a shopping spree in Paris and London, spend
US$100,000, and charge it to the BUMN (state company) under her
husband's control. All of these extra expenses would eventually
be borne by the people. No wonder economic observers claim that
the standard leakage in government expenditure was 30 percent.

Has that stereotype changed with the winds of change that are
blowing right across the face of this nation? Have the people in
organizations changed their attitudes and begun practicing good
governance?

Going by the chain of corruption cases publicized by
newspapers recently, the answer is no! As Santo Koesoebjono put
it (The Jakarta Post, July 22, 1999) RI's money is still going
down the drain. The so called "reform government" spends it like
it is water.

"Those in the government have just won the arisan," commented
Teddy, my friend who claims himself to be a private social
observer, analogizing the changes in government with that social
activity. "Some of them are still excited about spending money.
Soon they will have to step down."

Some of the people in the current government will have to say
goodbye after their shortened terms of service. Besides, the
result of the ballot count from the general election has signaled
them to start packing as it is unlikely they will be able to hold
onto their positions. So, while they are there, they may make the
most of their remaining time in power. This happens, you know.
One with nine months' service in his job, for instance, could
come up with Rp 12 billion in savings! Imagine how much money
goes down the drain altogether if, say, half the government
officials in all ranks practice the "grab something before you
go" attitude.

Now, the question is, should we let the CGI (Consultative
Group on Indonesia) dump their money now for it to be lost in the
jungle of racketeering and high-level love affairs? We have to
wait for the new government to spend it, of course, with the
close observance of Indonesian corruption watchdogs.

-- Carl Chairul