Foreign Consultants

August 1st, 2007, in Business & Economy, by Patung

No more foreign consultants should be hired by government agencies.

Vice-president Jusuf Kalla advised all government ministries and agencies to no longer employ foreign experts and consultants, in order that Indonesia learn to develop and move forward under its own steam.

Jusuf Kalla.

Speaking at the opening of the 2007 National Technology Meeting in Serpong, Banten, he said:

If we keep asking for foreign help then let’s just abolish the ministry of Research and Technology. Aren’t you professors and doctors ashamed if everything depends on foreigners and you only serve foreigners?

Kalla also criticised the luxurious lifestyles of high public servants, as to be seen in the expensive cars they are driven around in. The country would advance via hard work, he said, not by those who are supposed to be advancing it living the high life. [1]

↑1 kompas

49 Comments on “Foreign Consultants”

The Righteous Dude Says:
August 1st, 2007 at 1:34 pm
JK seems to forget that sometimes foreigners sometimes have a bit more expertise on certain things, for example:

- Speaking English (check out the poor pronunciation on the busway and the strange translations in Monas).

- Drainage (the Dutch built the Western Flood Canal in a year, we’re still waiting for the Eastern one) and environmental protection.

- Occupational Health and Safety (look at the locals building a house, and you’ll see what I mean)

- Banking and Finance (a major factor in the 1997 financial crisis)

Then again, I suppose foreigners don’t have relevant previous experience in KKN, so aren’t suited to Indonesia.
Shiva Says:
August 1st, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Just think trains, boats and planes ..
WP Says:
August 1st, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I suppose foreigners don’t have relevant previous experience in KKN, so aren’t suited to Indonesia.

Actually, the Dutch invented KKN. But Indonesians are the one that developed it to the mass production level, of which indeed no foreigner is sufficiently knowledgeable. Kalla fears this secret science will leak if we allow too many foreign advisors.
Naga Says:
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:01 am
“Kalla fears this secret science will leak if we allow too many foreign advisors.”

Kalla fears his empirical ambitions will be exposed if he allows too many foreign advisors…
Dimp Says:
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I think his intention is good, just the method is a bit too harsh, I agree that we as Indonesian, who has claimed independence for 60-odd years should be independent.

But his majesty Jusuf Kalla is forgetting one thing, the rampant nepotism in the government where intelligent and able people are not being overlooked, rather than employing these able people the government prefer to put their friends - families - contributor first.

So the change should start at the top, show the people that when you are capable and have the experience to do something that they will be hired, hire people based on their merit, not on their status, regardless of age, sex, religion, race. Start by weeding the Indonesian cabinet first, start by dismissing under-performed Ministers.
FiR Says:
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
In 1980s when Mahathir was the PM of Malaysia, he encouraged the government agencies to employ experts from various countries including Japan and wanted the foreign experts to share their skills to the locals. In 1990s-2000s, we witnessed the fast growing of Malaysia in industry and economy. Malaysian brands such as Proton, MAS have already reached as far as the UK, Europe and Australia. The monetary crisis did so little to shake its economy and people.

Now this unrealistic Kalla thinks Indonesian is ready enough not to employ foreign experts. For example, the poor management of Indonesian transport system (airliners, PT KA, etc) already showed how incompetent the local agencies are. Such a pathetic Kalla…
Falcon Says:
August 4th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Indonesians has long been preached by countless foreign consultants. It is true that Indonesia has somewhat advanced but it is eating the dust compare to its close neighbour Singapore, sadly falling behind Malaysia and moreless Thailand. China is advancing extremely fast but was once behind Indonesia and that it is a reality. Apparently there are no public servants dare enough to admit that they personally have benefited from all the consultations received but unwilling to express that implementing changes is nearly impossible due to corruption, bureaucrats haggling and a culture barrier consequently there is no trickle down effect. There were thousands of seminars presented by foreign consultants in past decades who are racking in hundreds millions of dollars but sadly the country is still facing countless problems. May be Vice President Yusuf Kalla is correct after all. In the past much of the financial aids and loans to the government carry covenants where foreign consultants must be employeed and it simply indicates that public servants are incapable. After all these years is Indonesia still behind? And not advancing as fast as the other neighbouring countries.
Achmad Sudarsono Says:
August 4th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Friend,

Mr. Falon is speak the Truth. Friend, the fact that the foreign consultants have not solved our problems is an absolute abomination. Friend, if they can’t solve our problems, who can? Friend, Indonesia needs ideology, not skill. We need words, not will. Blaming foreigners is always a good choice: what have foreigners done for us, Friend?
Enigmatic Says:
August 4th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
And what has Jusuf Kalla who is becoming more and more a JoKe done?

By discouraging local companies to hire foreigners, it will only deter that select group of people who even have the sanity of wanting to work here.

To the few who thinks JK’s move is right,let me ask you this. Who’s to blame for causing Indonesia not to advance as quickly as her neighbours? Foreigners?

Sure! Go ahead!! They are SOO guilty they should be hanged, quartered, beheaded and gang r***d. Happy now?

Or do we blame the clowns who, directly or otherwise, run the country and toss it into the shambles we’re in now?
KSJ Says:
August 5th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Yes, that is really the right decision. We can rely on our students who return from western countries after they finish their studies. Stop western invasion in Indonesia!
Bas Says:
August 5th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Good! We now have all the ingredients. That’s the final touch to the total collapse of the country lol! The only people who prevent the country from sinking are sent back home. Let’s see the result in 10 years.
WP Says:
August 5th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
We can rely on our students who return from western countries after they finish their studies.

I wonder how many of Indonesian top students realy return….
KSJ Says:
August 5th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
WP, have you counted all of them? Bas, if you dont like this country, why dont you go back to where you come from? You’d be better off there.
KSJ Says:
August 5th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
To WP:
well, the question should be like this: have you made a census about them? Can you name all of Indonesian top students? I need fact as proof. Bet you can’t answer these two simple questions.

Good! We now have all the ingredients. That’s the final touch to the total collapse of the country lol! The only people who prevent the country from sinking are sent back home. Let’s see the result in 10 years.

Yes, we will see positive results in 10 years of course as I have seen very positive economic, social and politic progresses in Indonesia since Soeharto resigned until now. It will be better in 10 years, you’ll see.
Aluang Anak Bayang Says:
August 5th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Brother, 10 years from now, you will see camel roaming around the streets.

Why bother going to school when we have all the answers? Remember your good old school days, a mathematic textbook contained all the answers over the last pages. Yes, we have the last pages. All we need to do is to repent for our sin and we will be on our way to economic recovery, scientific advancement and discovery marvel. Bro, it is that easy. By the way, we don’t need foreign brains, most of the scientific inventions were foretold in Quran and there is nothing new that kaffir can show us that is not in the quran.
KSJ Says:
August 6th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Aluang, man… I feel sorry for you…. you are astray and have gone crazy… Indonesians say kamu orang sinting.
WP Says:
August 6th, 2007 at 2:56 am
To WP:
well, the question should be like this: have you made a census about them? Can you name all of Indonesian top students? I need fact as proof.

Sorry, I don’t have numbers. Not even Depdikbud has that numbers. But in my time I knew quite a lot of Indonesian students in some european countries. Many return, but guess who are among who don’t: the tops. From my own SMA year, the top 3 didn’t return. Perhaps there is something structural in this picture…
Cukurungan Says:
August 6th, 2007 at 9:46 am
KSJ Says:

Aluang, man”¦ I feel sorry for you”¦. you are astray and have gone crazy”¦ Indonesians say kamu orang sinting.

Cukurungan :

No Sorry gentleman , he wasn’t gone crazy just in bit confusion caused by effects of re-education and de-magicalation under my supervision.

Trust me once he completed his re-education he will becomes one of Indonesia Brightest Students such as :

1. Hambali
2. Al Gozi
3. Amrozi
KSJ Says:
August 6th, 2007 at 11:51 am
WP, if you dont have fact, so your argument is not trustable.
Aluang Anak Bayang Says:
August 6th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Thanks Cuk for your comment. We good moslems should stick together, doing what we possibly can to prevent another tsunami and earthquake. As long as we stand in solidarity, disaster will hit Great Syaitan’s land (see the bridge collapse). That wretched ape had been scuffing your nose too many times that our moslem bros thought christmas is near. Arrgh, it glows in the dark.

I urge more and more moslem bros and sis to be vigilant and more proactive against dishonest foreign elements. We have the numbers, we have faith, and best of all, we have God on our side.
Enigmatic Says:
August 6th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
We can rely on our students who return from western countries after they finish their studies.

I wonder how many of Indonesian top students realy return”¦.

I won’t be brazen enough to say that I am the brightest student. But I dare say I am in the top 10%. Cos the results on my exam slip a few years ago says so.

I am an Indonesian but I am appalled at the way people treat people of certain races here. And to me, religion and politics should not mix because they can become discriminatory. Yet, look what’s happening here.

Hence don’t bet on me helping Indonesia after my studies. I want to help the country, but I still want my life too. And the lives of my loved ones.

But in my time I knew quite a lot of Indonesian students in some european countries. Many return, but guess who are among who don’t: the tops. From my own SMA year, the top 3 didn’t return.

Well considering that these people may get much higher pay elsewhere, why bother coming back to all sorts of sh*t, such as… (not commenting)

For example, look at Singapore’s strategies in wooing foreign talent. Well, I am studying there so I know what’s going on here.

I was on the train going downtown for stuff and I met this team of 4 people from 4 countries, India, Malaysia, China. Well, the last person was from Indonesia. (I could tell from her accent when speaking to the group). She was the leader in some programme by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Apparently she has settled down here and she was talking about all the benefits of staying here, such as the starting pay here compared to the Indian rupees or Malaysian ringgit or the Chinese RMB, the cleanliness of the civil service here, and… the safety.

Those are factors which deter top students from Indonesia from returning home to contribute. Need I say more?

Then again there’s definitely plenty of other fishes in the water, some way bigger, way stronger and way better than me. That I am very very sure.

I am sure I don’t get priority because my family’s no big shot here and I am taught the importance of having a CLEAN and MERITOCRATIC Civil Service in school. I don’t think I can play dirty.

Can Indonesia do that? Will they do that?

PS: I still love Indonesia. I was born there and raised there till those blasted riots.

What am I? I am just a free thinker. I am enigmatic.

Cheers.
WP Says:
August 7th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Dear Enigmatic,

Those are factors which deter top students from Indonesia from returning home to contribute. Need I say more?

Sorry if I sound like blaming our ex students that do not return. I don’t. Like you pointed out, it is everyone’s individual right. My point being the simple observation that Indonesia should fear top talent exodus. Btw, for the same reasons as yours, I left.
Parvita Says:
August 7th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Foreign consultants in the government agencies? Which agencies and what consultants? And what for?
Cukurungan Says:
August 7th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Aluang :

Thanks Cuk for your comment. We good moslems should stick together, doing what we possibly can to prevent another tsunami and earthquake.

Cukurungan:

Oh my GUN, you didn’t get it yet…. did you forget that tsunami and earthquake have been pre-destined 50 thousand years before the big bang happened and nothing we can do but remember your duties is to cast confusion and desperation among un-believers and remember now you’re a God bear anyone who dare to enter your land must be grounded and tumbled down, don’t give them any chances to stand-up or raise their hand higher than yourself.
Sputjam Says:
August 7th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
hiring consultants is one way of getting kickbacks.
Consultancy fee vary widely.
Who is to know what constitutes consultancy fees.
If you blocked foreigners from the consultancy jobs, the Indonesian will merely get the job and hire the foreigners instead, back to back. In the latter case, the consultancy fee will be higher due to to local involvement.

Maybe that was what JK meant.
Enigmatic Says:
August 7th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
WP Says:

August 7th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Dear Enigmatic,

Those are factors which deter top students from Indonesia from returning home to contribute. Need I say more?

Sorry if I sound like blaming our ex students that do not return. I don’t. Like you pointed out, it is everyone’s individual right. My point being the simple observation that Indonesia should fear top talent exodus. Btw, for the same reasons as yours, I left.

Ahh!! Great minds think alike.

Ok so where u settling down now?

Singapore?
Hong Kong?
China?
Malaysia?
US?
Achmad Sudarsono Says:
August 9th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Dear All,

I think what JK is saying is pretty simple:

Kick out the Bules.

Once we do that, 90 % of our problems will take care of themselves.
KSJ Says:
August 16th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Enigmatic says:

I am an Indonesian but I am appalled at the way people treat people of certain races here. And to me, religion and politics should not mix because they can become discriminatory. Yet, look what’s happening here.

I know that Indonesians are quite racist towards an ethnic/racial group (should I mention it? We know exactly which one). I was born Indonesian and I grew up there. Now I live in Europe, hold one of EU citizenships, and work for the local government. I’ve been away from Indonesia for some quite long time and the last time I visited, I saw major social and economic changes in the country. Things which I didn’t see during the Soeharto regime like press freedom, religious freedom and cultural freedom for the Chinese community. I was quite happy to see those changes there. The per capita income has tripled from merely US$500 in 1998 to US$1,600 in 2006, I know it’s still far away from Western standard, but it is significant for Indonesia which was known for its sluggish economic growth. I was so glad to hear that the Indonesian president cancelled CGI last January, a huge step to cut debts flow to the country.
Dear Enigmatic, I just want to remind you that Western countries DO NOT CARE about the Indonesian people (I am wondering why Indonesians adore white people so much as whites DO NOT adore Indonesians). They lend money (debts) disguised as financial help or reliefs or so whatever which should be returned with huge interests (that’s a burden to the Indonesian economies). Western consultants hired in Indonesia will conduct everything in the sake of benefits for western countries not for Indonesia. Please note that! I live in Europe and I know what they think about third world countries. I hope the Indonesian government would not make the same mistakes as Soeharto, selling his own country to the westerners in order to enrich himself and his family and of course, enrich western countries and leave Indonesia so poor.
OK, fine, you study abroad and will work in the country you are currently in. You earn a modest salary which is a huge one if you convert it to rupiah. It’s your own problem and decision if you do not want to go back to Indonesia. But the country is doing well as far as I can see, there are still lots but LOTS of things to sort out in Indonesia, I know. I believe the democratic Indonesian government will get through it all.
DoOs Says:
August 16th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
JK is doing the right thing. :D.

Because 80% of foreign professionals and macroeconomic experts develop liberal values which accounts for individualistic approach. What we need here for Indoenesia is more of a Socialist approach and forming a Socialism reformation; I hate democracy. It’s a label for a cause - truth is, behind it is simply theories of a mix. You can mix supply side, classical, protectionism, monetarism, fiscal - walah there goes a none free market that is considered free market. Rebellions of the free markets shape themselves into a monetaristic nation itself like England, I call that hypocrisy.
Enigmatic Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Factors stopping me from wanting me to help Indonesia.

I was on the train going downtown for stuff and I met this team of 4 people from 4 countries, India, Malaysia, China. Well, the last person was from Indonesia. (I could tell from her accent when speaking to the group). She was the leader in some programme by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Apparently she has settled down here and she was talking about all the benefits of staying here, such as the starting pay here compared to the Indian rupees or Malaysian ringgit or the Chinese RMB, the cleanliness of the civil service here, and”¦ the safety.

As you can see I placed safety behind the Ellipsis (…) as the last factor. This is done to show that that’s the most important factor why Im not keen to work here. After all, as they say, leave the best for the last right?

KSJ Says:

August 16th, 2007 at 5:36 pm

Dear Enigmatic, I just want to remind you that Western countries DO NOT CARE about the Indonesian people (I am wondering why Indonesians adore white people so much as whites DO NOT adore Indonesians). They lend money (debts) disguised as financial help or reliefs or so whatever which should be returned with huge interests (that’s a burden to the Indonesian economies). Western consultants hired in Indonesia will conduct everything in the sake of benefits for western countries not for Indonesia. Please note that! I live in Europe and I know what they think about third world countries. I hope the Indonesian government would not make the same mistakes as Soeharto, selling his own country to the westerners in order to enrich himself and his family and of course, enrich western countries and leave Indonesia so poor.

Even when Kalla mentioned foreigners he didnt mention WESTERN foreigners. Neither did I in any of my 2 posts. So why are you being overassuming?

FiR Says:

August 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
In 1980s when Mahathir was the PM of Malaysia, he encouraged the government agencies to employ experts from various countries including Japan and wanted the foreign experts to share their skills to the locals. In 1990s-2000s, we witnessed the fast growing of Malaysia in industry and economy. Malaysian brands such as Proton, MAS have already reached as far as the UK, Europe and Australia. The monetary crisis did so little to shake its economy and people.

Now this unrealistic Kalla thinks Indonesian is ready enough not to employ foreign experts. For example, the poor management of Indonesian transport system (airliners, PT KA, etc) already showed how incompetent the local agencies are. Such a pathetic Kalla”¦

That’s why I say he’s a Jusuf Kalla is a JoKe right? Then again since so many people want to get foreign consultants out so much then let it be.
KSJ Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:03 am
Overassuming me? Excuse me, foreign consultants hired in Indonesia are usually westerners.
KSJ Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 am
Enigmatic:

Then again since so many people want to get foreign consultants out so much then let it be.

Oh … gee… Enigmatic, I hope you would be someday a consultant in a foreign country where you’re in, and if you become their leader, I’ll be the first to applaud you. I hope being an ‘Indonesian’ student (from ethnic minority, though) would help you to get the toppest position wherever you are.
Dimp Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Hi KSJ,

Overassuming me? Excuse me, foreign consultants hired in Indonesia are usually westerners.

Do you have numbers to back up this statement?

As you said, if you don’t have the fact then your arguments are not trustworthy.

BTW, which EU country do you live in? Its a bit weird that you haven’t develop your English by living in a “bule” environment for so many years.
KSJ Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
BTW, which EU country do you live in? Its a bit weird that you haven’t develop your English by living in a “bule” environment for so many years.

Look who’s talking.

You need numbers? I’ll be back with numbers, just give me time to gather proofs. OK?
KSJ Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Facts:

http://www.expat.or.id/info/expatexperts.html

here we go.

Sorry for those of you who are offended of my ‘language’ towards Westerners. I see the reality here in the West, especially the EU that NO Asians or people from Asian origin (Chinese, Japanese, etc included) are hired as ‘foreign consultants’. No EU country is wooing ‘foreign talents’. They just want foreigners to go back to where they come from, foreign students included. I think all of you whom I offend worship Westerners. Indonesians, they often boast that Westerners like Indonesia and its culture, blah blah blah… just because of a few (tourists) say so. If you live among them and see what their medias tell about Indonesia, you’ll know I’m right.
Dimp Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Hi KSJ,

I am not saying that I have perfect English, just wondering why someone who claims to be a citizen of an EU country and have stayed there for so many years still haven’t perfected their English. Thus my curiosity for asking which country, if you don’t want to tell then just don’t tell.

Also for your prove can you actually just state the numbers, I don’t have time to read through pages and pages of information. Again this is just for my curiosity, if you don’t want to answer then I won’t hold any grudges against you.
KSJ Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I am not saying that I have perfect English, just wondering why someone who claims to be a citizen of an EU country and have stayed there for so many years still haven’t perfected their English. Thus my curiosity for asking which country, if you don’t want to tell then just don’t tell.

I didn’t say your english or mine is perfect. The EU comprises of many countries, cultures and languages, UK is one of them and English is one of languages spoken here in the EU and it is not the only one. I won’t complain about someone’s English as the ‘native’ Brits DO NOT complain about it. Native speakers appreciate non-English speakers who try to speak English although not perfect. Even being English native speaker DOES NOT guarantee the quality of English he/she speaks.
I didn’t tell you where I am and I won’t tell, what for?

Also for your prove can you actually just state the numbers, I don’t have time to read through pages and pages of information. Again this is just for my curiosity, if you don’t want to answer then I won’t hold any grudges against you.

Ok, I gave you fact but you refused to read it and I won’t summarize it for you. Read it and you’ll know the numbers. You won’t hold any grudges against me? Oh… Thank you, you’re polite.
Rambutan Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:34 pm
KSJ

Sorry for those of you who are offended of my ‘language’ towards Westerners. I see the reality here in the West, especially the EU that NO Asians or people from Asian origin (Chinese, Japanese, etc included) are hired as ‘foreign consultants’. No EU country is wooing ‘foreign talents’. They just want foreigners to go back to where they come from, foreign students included. I think all of you whom I offend worship Westerners. Indonesians, they often boast that Westerners like Indonesia and its culture, blah blah blah”¦ just because of a few (tourists) say so. If you live among them and see what their medias tell about Indonesia, you’ll know I’m right.

Sorry, not true. Certain job profiles are very much sought after in the EU; the famous IT experts from India being the prime example. The whole process is of course very much market-driven. If you don’t have the right profile you won’t get a working visa. Pretty simple, really.

Now, talking about Indonesia, I believe that in certain fields foreign consultants are absolutely necessary for the foreseeable future. However, of course the goal should be to develop the required capacity in Indonesia and to become independent from foreign expertise in the long run. But this will take a while; at the current stage it is not helpful to categorically reject hiring foreign experts.
KSJ Says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Sorry, not true. Certain job profiles are very much sought after in the EU; the famous IT experts from India being the prime example. The whole process is of course very much market-driven. If you don’t have the right profile you won’t get a working visa. Pretty simple, really.

Hmm…. Wrong, Europe is seeking for skilled workers from India, not consultants. Consultants still remain ‘western’, like Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, PriceWaterHouseCoopers or Ernst & Young.

Now, talking about Indonesia, I believe that in certain fields foreign consultants are absolutely necessary for the foreseeable future. However, of course the goal should be to develop the required capacity in Indonesia and to become independent from foreign expertise in the long run. But this will take a while; at the current stage it is not helpful to categorically reject hiring foreign experts.

Fine… foreign consultants are expensive, can Indonesian budget afford that? One question, does Indonesia have national qualified consultants? I guess it is time for Indonesia to have them. Why does Indonesia always depend on foreign hands? If Indonesian doesn’t help itself, who will?
Enigmatic Says:
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:05 pm
KSJ Says:

August 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 am
Enigmatic:

Then again since so many people want to get foreign consultants out so much then let it be.

Oh “¦ gee”¦ Enigmatic, I hope you would be someday a consultant in a foreign country where you’re in, and if you become their leader, I’ll be the first to applaud you. I hope being an ‘Indonesian’ student (from ethnic minority, though) would help you to get the toppest position wherever you are.

Are you trying to dicriminate a particular race group?

Firstly I am still using the green Indonesian passport, not the red one here.

Secondly, remember Black Eyed Peas’ Where is The Love? Here’s an extract of the lyrics to jot your memory. To remind you not to discriminate other races.

What’s wrong with the world, mama
People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin’
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y’all, y’all

Courtesy of azlyrics.com
Pena Budaya Says:
August 24th, 2007 at 2:05 am
If we keep asking for foreign help then let’s just abolish the ministry of Research and Technology. Aren’t you professors and doctors ashamed if everything depends on foreigners and you only serve foreigners?

For the first time I agreed with JK. We should not be under representative in our country when the national oriented development takes place. However, we should keep learning from other countries’ mistakes as well. In responding to Kalla, Indonesians should change to be learning societies, open minded, and honest otherwise his speech is worthless.

Take a look at United Nations agencies offices aboard for examples, how many Indonesians are representing there? I bet not many..or perhaps in some offices is none..

It is sad to see how Indonesia could become such under-representative country even internationally…
Janma Says:
August 24th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
quote WP “Actually, the Dutch invented KKN.” Unquote.
I really don’t think that this statement is true…. the dutch invented corruption? that’s like trying to work out who invented prostitution.
The Dutch merely saw the system already prevalent in Javanese society and used it to their own advantage.
Dimp Says:
August 24th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Hi Janma,

As always it is the mentalily of most Indonesians to blame others first. Whatever the problems are, they were all caused by others.
Janma Says:
August 24th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Dimp,
I know, and the weird thing is that although we address all these issues in IM, nobody ever convinces anyone else of the validity of their position! We all remain steadfast and unassailable.
Cuk will never stop advocating terroisim no matter what we say, Alaung will continue to say all the answers are in the Quran no matter that the Quran raises more questions than it answers. We will never agree to sharia law no matter what they say… and so we go round and round and round…..
It’s friday, maybe I’m just kind of tired.
Dimp Says:
August 24th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Hi Janma,

Some people are just too ignorant to understand the big picture, all they are concern with is what happened to them and them only, they don’t care about the rest. They believe whatever they were told to without even thinking about finding the truth. They were told A from the beginning and when someone says B then they will shout A without even considering that maybe B is correct.

Don’t worry about these people, they were never taught to listen. Tell them once, and it is up to them if they want to listen to you.
Dragonwall Says:
September 11th, 2007 at 11:14 am
But his majesty Jusuf Kalla

Wow some secret admirer. The next thing is that he will crown him self like the King of Central Empire having a golden throne.

hiring consultants is one way of getting kickbacks

Gross manipulations rather than kick bakc taking the foreign help as a scapegoat. Daylight robbery.

the next thing he will do is to have a consultant company comprising of people from him providing service to every government sectors and drain the blood out of the government coffer. Bone Dry.

I hate democracy

Did I see wrong. I thought the last I saw your economic update you were doing purty good analysis. Now you are to social reform!

It’s a label for a cause - truth is, behind it is simply theories of a mix. You can mix supply side, classical, protectionism, monetarism, fiscal -

Domocracy is all about openness. Transparency. KKN are the works of most socialist. Modern world need no media black out. Everyone need open space.
English are imperialist. They are democratic but not so democratic. Socialistic but not so social.

Social reform?
Dragonwall Says:
September 11th, 2007 at 11:34 am
financial aids and loans to the government carry covenants where foreign consultants must be employed and it simply indicates that public servants are incapable

Don’t blame others. It is the Indonesians to be blame honestly speaking. The covenants in employing foreigners are perhaps to make it more transparent. capable or not the Indonesians is for one to know and the others to find out.

Singapore employ foreigners to make proposals and study on the MRT. hundred of millions were spent for consultancy fees. Is that worth it? Judge for yourself.

During the Marcos Era 500 million were allocated for the monorail, but that thing was left to rot when I was last in Manila before Ninyo was shot.

Chengdu employ singapore consultant to built the city. Have you seen the place. it operates just like Singapore.

Look how high profile was Habibie and the IPTN. N250 etc. If it is that good a tech can anyone name a country buying the aircraft.
Come on lets not fool ourself. Be realistic and be in this world. China absorbs almost every thing they coudl get hold of. Not that they don’t have the right but they are good listener than talker.

have you seen Zhu Rongji, Hu Jintao at work. They given their people free hand to work, employ any tactic, end results speak for themselves.

Chinese saying “A picture is worth a thousand word”.

One other thing is a classic example is the Lapindo Brantas with Aburizal Bakrie. He even get the government to pick up the tab.
Daniel Khaleel Says:
September 11th, 2007 at 11:37 am
This is interesting. I admire him for his criticism of the high public servants living lavish lives at the expense of the people they are supposed to be serving. I think that all public servants need to re-examine the word “servant”.

I also think his call to prevent foregin consultants is foolish. It would be good to minimise dependence on foreign consultants and experts, but it’s ignorant to assume that he can do without them. Perhaps a more appropriate stance would be to only engage consultants that have a strong desire to see Indonesia advance rather than worrying about their own pockets.

Someone might want to remind Yusuf Kala that good leadership involves (1) identifying your weakness and finding the appropriate resource to help, and (2) empowering people within your own team to do the job. Yusuf’s stance forsakes both of these principles.
Dragonwall Says:
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:56 pm
It is a very good analogy and this gives an understanding that there are many capable people around but lack the opportunity given due to such cronism.

But in politics it is all about cronism because they feel that are the people they trust but failing to feel their bottomline on qualifications and professional ethique.

There were several quite capable finance ministers being replace with considered to be academically highly qualified but unprfessional to take the job.

Bulog is a milk cow. Public Works Department is a place where daylight robbery takes place in and out.

Unless there in another Soeharto coming in, no one could save Indonesia from these rampage misdeeds.