"Huh?" was the initial reaction of many Indonesians upon hearing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's long-awaited announcements regarding the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Bank Century bailout scandal controversies. However, a closer look at the transcript of his long-winded address late Monday revealed his conclusion on the prosecution of the KPK deputies:
"A better solution and option . would be that the police and prosecutors do not take this case to court .. but instead immediately undertake corrective measures *within* the police, Attorney General's Office and the KPK." Though protests and shouts of disappointment followed the President's address, at the end of the day Yudhoyono seemed to have regained the guts to defy his own men's demands to follow their agenda.
Your comments:
Your editorial is a fair judgment on the President's response toward the Team of 8 recommendations.
The reason is his consistent constitutional alibi, which this time uses subtle civil language to let his choice of leadership do the cleaning up themselves; and he still trusts his own choices.
Time will prove his judgment.
Iwan Darmansjah
Jakarta
I read with great interest of the political arena in Indonesia, because simply, my wife is an Indonesian. It is really disappointing to read that President SBY did not shed more light on what course of action he would recommended. This case is definitely going to be a turning point of whether he will continue to be supported by the people.
If there is going to be a survey of his popularity vote, I guess the answer would be straightforward. This should have been a great opportunity for him to stamp his feet solid, to make his stand on eradicating corruption.
He must remember that this is not just a show to the Indonesian people, but also for the interested foreign investors in Indonesia.
Alan
Singapore
While trying to be sweet to the elite of Indonesia, SBY has produced a fudge. Like a bad smell and perfume spray, you can spray all you like to make the odious smell better right then and there, but until you deal with the even nastier cause of the smell, matters will only go from bad to worse.
Swords
UK
I absolutely agree with the article and I believe that in this case, Yudhoyono had a very difficult decision to make. We know that in all areas we can see the "wrongdoing" of the apparatus of the government. It is difficult simply to clean up the dirt in a short time and by himself. He still has a long way to go to make the changes.
I believe he will be better at making decisions later.
We pray for you Mr. President!
Totok
Tangerang, Banten
