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The Week In Review: Between soccer and politics
It has been a while since Indonesians cheered and danced as one and momentarily forgot their problems, as they did while sharing the joy of the red-and-white national soccer team’s glory at the 2010 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup
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t has been a while since Indonesians cheered and danced as one and momentarily forgot their problems, as they did while sharing the joy of the red-and-white national soccer team’s glory at the 2010 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup.
Since scoring five goals against Malaysia in the cup’s opening match, the Indonesian team smoothly routed Laos 6-0 and then beat Thailand 2-1 – Indonesia’s first victory over Thailand in 12 years – to top the group.
Indonesia is on track to play in the cup’s finals after beating the Philippines 1-0 in the first semifinal match at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Thursday night. The victory was greeted with joy by the crowd, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his entourage.
Still, there is more to come. The second semifinal match will be held on Sunday at Bung Karno Stadium.
The winner will earn a ticket to the finals and challenge the winner of the other semifinal showdown between Malaysia and defending champion Vietnam.
It did not come as a big surprise when members of the House of Representatives passed less than half of the bills targeted for this year. The law on political parties that was passed Thursday was the last piece of legislation for the year.
Many critical bills, including the Financial Services Authority (OJK) bill, have to wait. The House concluded the year with only 15 bills passed into law, and are carrying over another 55 bills to next year.
Recently, the House was under fire for financing foreign trips for certain commissions and committees for different purposes, from comparative studies to haj pilgrimage supervision, at a time when the country was being rocked by natural disasters.
Legislators also secured the government’s approval to expand the legislative buildings in Senayan, Central Jakarta, and allotted Rp 250 billion (US$27.75 million) of the state’s budget for early funding. But, the House failed to pass the housing and settlement bill that would have set the groundwork for the expansion of public housing programs.
Christmas celebrations are just around the corner, but a pledge by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) to help guard churches during the celebratory time has made Christians feel uneasy.
The Indonesian Communion of Churches and the Indonesian Bishop’s Conference were unaware of the FPI plan and said they had never made any agreement — or even communicated — with the FPI.
A number of Christians said they would likely feel intimidated by the presence of FPI members in the vicinity of their churches during Christmas services.
If the plan is a sincere one and comes from good intentions, the FPI will be helping to set an example of religious harmony. But, considering the FPI’s notoriety for attacking minority groups, Christians have every reason to be cautious.
The time has come to clear up the confusion as to who is in charge of security and protecting the people. The Constitution clearly says the state guarantees everyone’s freedom to adhere to their religion and perform their religious duties in line with their religion and faith.
The government and the House of Representatives finally agreed Tuesday to restrict the sale of subsidized gasoline. Under the fuel reform policy, the sale of subsidized gasoline will only be allowed for public transport vehicles, motorcycles and small fishing boats.
Jakarta and its surrounding cities will be given three months for logistical preparations until the program starts in April, and then the policy will expand to other parts of Java and Bali in July and to Sumatra and Kalimantan in 2013.
Fuel subsidies have long been a source of headache. They have been criticized as a misallocation of scarce resources, as more than 55 percent of subsidies are enjoyed by private car owners instead of being set aside to provide better healthcare and education for the country’s many low-income and poor people.
The decision has been praised as a positive signal for the market, indicating Indonesia’s fiscal sustainability with the steady rise in oil prices. The move will also indirectly help push for green practices, with businesses preferring fuel-efficient technology and investing in fuel-conservation programs.
The challenge will be how to implement the policy transparently and strengthen control over the distribution of subsidized fuel to prevent abuse.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was again in the hot seat this week with legislators criticizing him for stalling for nearly a month the inauguration of new anti-graft commission chief Busyro Muqoddas, following his appointment by the House of Representatives.
The President’s dawdling will certainly burden the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and prevent it from doing its work, with many cases waiting to be handled. It also creates the impression the President is deliberately trying to undermine the commission and its work.
The Yogyakarta provincial legislative council agreed Monday to continue the traditional procedure of governor’s appointments. The decision means that the Sultan of Yogyakarta will continue to be appointed the province’s governor, while the vice governor will continue to come from Pakualaman principality.
The decision is still pending approval by a House of Representatives session, but remains a blow to President Yudhoyono’s suggestion that Yogyakarta’s governor should be decided through elections just like in other parts of the country.
In past weeks, the President’s statement about Yogyakarta’s special status has triggered controversy and caused unproductive political spats.
— Stevie Emilia
