Monopoly muddle

Monopoly muddle

From Merdeka

It has been distressing to read statements in the media made
by leaders of the community, general affairs analysts and, in
particular, economic and political experts following President
Soeharto's state address on Aug. 16.

Cases in point:

1. Initiators and policymakers, who introduced the monopoly
policy and have been the champions of this policy for over three
decades, now believe it should be scrapped.

2. It has been proven that at the leadership level in the state's
highest institutions, a consensus has been reached on appeal that
the present governmental system and development policy should
stay because they are considered correct. We know full well,
however, that the legal foundation of our national development
until now has been Wetboek van Koophandel (commercial code) and
Burgerlijk Wetbook (civil code), legacies of the Dutch era which
was inevitably capitalistic and imperialistic in nature.

3. In reality, no institutions, government agencies, social
organizations or experts in any field (but particularly in law
and economics) have been brave enough to voice an opinion if they
know this runs counter to the powers that be. This is evidence
that the truth has been lost.

The aforementioned facts should not only be a cause of grief,
but should also provoke questions of their own.

ALPPHONSUS P. LOLONG

Jakarta