Roeslan blames RI tycoons over 'money politics'

Roeslan blames RI tycoons over 'money politics'

JAKARTA (JP): A respected former minister blamed Indonesian
business tycoons for the pervasive "money politics" here,
lamenting how their loyalty is aimed only toward their own
interests.

Roeslan Abdulgani told a discussion on heroic values here
Saturday that the clout of Indonesian tycoons has grown to the
extent that they are now able to help establish political
situations to their own advantage.

"They dole out money to politicians and officials, here and
abroad," Roeslan said, referring to U.S. President Bill Clinton's
"Indonesian Connection".

Prior to President Clinton's reelection earlier this month,
the White House was put on the defensive by suggestions that his
friendship with Indonesian businessman James Riady helped bring
big corporate contributions to the Democrat party's coffers with
the aim of influencing U.S. foreign policy.

The reports on the donations created debates here as well,
with a great number of businessmen saying they saw nothing wrong
with donating money for such purposes.

"It (the donation) is an example of how pervasive money
politics is and how pragmatic, opportunistic the tycoons are,"
Roeslan was quoted by Antara as saying.

In other parts of his discussion, Roeslan did not make
specific reference to Riady but spoke about businessmen in
general.

"Tycoons' only target is money and their ideology is to amass
wealth. Their patriotism is: love toward regions with money.
Their nationalism is: loyalty toward those who have money," said
Roeslan further.

Roeslan was foreign minister between 1956 and 1967, and
Indonesian ambassador to the United Nations between 1967 and
1971. He is also former head of BP7, an agency entrusted with the
task of disseminating the state-ideology Pancasila.

"The global-international conglomerates are those who believe
in supernationalism, transnationalism and multinationalism," he
said, adding that he was concerned that such tycoons may want to
"upset" existing nationalism in developing countries, including
Indonesia.

Roeslan also said some Indonesian tycoons were not adverse to
colluding with power holders in exploiting foreign capital
bolstered by domestic banking support obtained through
"facilities" exclusively for smaller and medium-level
businessmen.

"These people are not independent capitalists like those who
developed naturally in European countries, the United States or
Japan," Roeslan told some 800 participants in the discussion.

In another part of his discussion, Roeslan said people feel
the widest gap as occurring between what their leaders say and
what they actually do.

"The public has heard how their leaders say one thing and then
go and do another thing," he said. "It's why our people are now
more critical and outspoken."

He said leaders should introspect and be brave enough to
correct themselves. He also called on community and national
leaders to learn and to overcome gaps that have emerged as
byproducts of national development.

Roeslan identified other forms of gaps, including those of
wealth and of opportunities to express opinions. (swe)