Forum: Beijing Olympics live

Thu, 07/17/2008 10:10 AM | Reader's Forum

Good job TVRI, for obtaining the broadcasting rights. Of course, commercial broadcasters thought and calculated twice before they decided to buy the rights.

The Olympics may not be as popular among the majority of more domestically oriented Indonesians, who prefer to watch the National Games in East Kalimantan.

As TVRI is the state-owned channel, funded with taxpayers' money, it is highly commendable it will help all Indonesians to freely watch the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

Undoubtedly, it will make the Olympics more popular among ordinary Indonesians and, next time, the commercial broadcasters who want to air the games will make a profit from the games' broadcasting rights.

TVRI and everyone else: Keep on making business decisions that are in the interest of all the Indonesian people and not only in the interest of a few!
MARTIN PURBA
Jakarta

More than just Bali

I just came back to France from Indonesia. For most Europeans, Indonesia is restricted to Bali, unfortunately.

However, we see that other places are getting better. Lombok is starting to be a really touristic place. Investments in Kuta are beginning, including a large touristic complex and an airport in a few years.

I'm looking forward to coming back to Jakarta and starting my Indonesian life with my Indonesian girlfriend. But the Indonesian government is very strict with visas, and I'm looking for a solution.

I would like to open a shop with my girlfriend near Jakarta. However, for this, I need at least three or four months beforehand. It's not easy to find a way to stay so long. Hopefully, I will find a solution because I'm in love with this country -- and my girlfriend too.
FRANCK
Paris

David Wijaya on the run

It's very shameful that our government let David Nusa Wijaya -convicted of corruption - go free to Hong Kong.

How can this happen again? It's still in our memory how Edy Tansil, Samadikun Hartono and Sujiono Timan got out of Indonesia easily, and are still at large without paying back their debt to Indonesia.

David Nusa Wijaya has to pay Indonesia Rp 1.2 trillion (US$130 million). Andi Mattalata, as minister of law and human rights, should take responsibility for this case.

Indonesia -- in cooperation with Hong Kong's government -- must chase this fugitive and bring him back here. Uphold law and justice in this country!
SYAHID SYAEFUDIN
Tangerang, Banten

Cost recovery items -- July 15, p. 13

I refer to an item about expenses for expatriate workers as stated in this article.

If the article is correct, it is a setback, because the clause in the PSC agreement clearly states only the cost of training for Indonesian employees is subject to cost recovery.

The other item that must be clarified is "Prepayment of US$75,000". As far as I know, this prepayment is intended as a working fund to be deposited in BP Migas's account and can be debited whenever there is a cost incurred to a PSC company relating to services or materials acquired through BP Migas.

The government must also be careful about expenses in the expatriate and domestic employee swap program. Make sure the justifications for the swap, total cost incurred and running time are clear.

In some cases the swap program is intended as an excuse for placing expatriates in the PSC company's organization to recover costs.
M. SULHAN ASKANDAR
Jakarta

SBY receives CTF report -- July 15, Online

Your military has finally taken responsibility for the human rights abuses they have committed. Let the trials of your generals begin.
ROD
Sydney

I am wondering if those in full support of East Timor's independence were truly sincere given the fact they have a share in exploiting its very rich natural resources at Timor Gap.
ERI
Jakarta

Fuel price hikes -- July 15, Online

In 2004, with SBY elected president, Indonesians were given hope for a bright future, mainly because the presidents before him, Megawati and Adurrahman Wahid (and Habibie, of course), performed poorly, just as people expected.

But remember, that does not mean Megawati, "Gus Dur", and Habibie did not make any excellent policies. They did. "Gus Dur", for instance, opened up press freedom and raised teachers' salaries.

Similar excellent policies were implemented by Megawati and Habibie in certain sectors. What caused them a second term in office was the fact they couldn't control inflation.

And because inflation influences most (or even all) Indonesians, they lost crucial votes. That's why in the next election, if SBY cannot control inflation, it is very likely people will vote for a new candidate.
QOMAR
Jakarta

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