Sukhoi and Indosat cases

Sukhoi and Indosat cases

From Kompas

The purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters from Russia has led to hot
debate, not only in the House of Representatives, but also among
the general public. This case has been widely reported in the
mass media and has prompted protest rallies. It is true that this
matter is really attracting attention.

Interestingly, the sales of state-owned telecommunications
company Indosat to a foreign party have drawn less attention than
the purchase of Sukhoi jets.

It must be remembered that Sukhoi jet fighters are tangible,
while Indosat is one of the state's intangible assets. In point
of fact, when you talk about the sales of Indosat to a foreign
party, this must involve discussion about Indonesia's sovereignty
over the site in outer space, where Indonesia's Palapa satellite
is located, and Indonesia's proprietorship over this satellite.
This satellite may be considered an island in outer space that
belongs to Indonesia. Ironically, there is a lot of fuss about
the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters but there is hardly any
comment on the sale of a country's sovereignty.

One may safely conclude that most members of the House and the
general public do not quite understand the significance of a
state's sovereignty. Likewise, the same lack of understanding on
this matter is found on the part of the government of the
Republic of Indonesia as the seller of this state enterprise to a
foreign party.

YOGI SUPARDI
Jakarta