Speaking about collusion

Speaking about collusion

For quite some time Indonesians have been exposed to the
existence of collusion, monopoly and other practices which not
only harm the community and the country but are also against the
1945 Constitution. There is indeed a basis for concern because
big and strong businesses have emerged while small and medium
businesses languish.

When receiving participants of the Third National Conference
of the Fraternity of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs at his farm
in Tapos, Bogor, on Sunday, President Soeharto had an explanation
of the apparent root of the issue. According to the President,
there was never any collusion between himself and Liem Sioe Liong
that could have led to PT Bogasari Flour Mills and PT Indocement
flourishing.

The President explained that at one time Liem Sioe Liong had
come to him to ask for advice on what he could do since he wanted
to work for the good of the people. The President reminded Liem
that he should not merely think about doing business in order to
gain profits, but build industries that were needed by the
people, such as food industries. This reasoning led Liem to build
a cement plant, as cement was needed in development efforts.

The President's words reveal a long-range strategy that takes
into account the existing realities without deviating from the
basic fraternity principle, manifested through a partnership
mechanism. Our homework now is to develop that partnership
mechanism in a way that small and medium-scale entrepreneurs will
actually reap the benefits. In our view, considering the fact
that ours is a country based on law, a legal foundation is needed
in order that all parties involved may have a clear notion of
what is required.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta