Miners issue 'white paper' against draft mining law
I am reminded once again of S.P. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations". Even though he doesn't consider Indonesia or SEAsia a 'civilization' -- more an offshoot of Chinese or Arab -- it still applies. In the 80s and 90s, many American "nationalists" were going ballistic over the Japanese investing in American companies, land and other assets. However, there was virtually ZERO reaction about the much larger investments from Canada and European countries.
You can see very similar reactions here. If it's Indian, Arab or other ASEAN investments (as long as it's not Chinese tycoons) they don't even rate a mention.
These mining companies are almost all "Western" companies and thus much more of a "threat" and "need to be curtailed" in the minds of the pribumi gov't leaders. At the end of the day, it comes down to skin color, which actually is nothing short of insanity when a backward country is trying to develop economically.
You can see very similar reactions here. If it's Indian, Arab or other ASEAN investments (as long as it's not Chinese tycoons) they don't even rate a mention.
These mining companies are almost all "Western" companies and thus much more of a "threat" and "need to be curtailed" in the minds of the pribumi gov't leaders. At the end of the day, it comes down to skin color, which actually is nothing short of insanity when a backward country is trying to develop economically.