Boediono as Vice President
May 14th, 2009, in News, by Patung
BI governor Boediono for vice president, whether a neo-liberal and not religious enough.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appears certain to name current Governor of Bank Indonesia, Boediono, or Budiono, as his running mate for the 2009 presidential elections on July 8th.
Prof. Dr. Boediono was born in Blitar, East Java, in 1943 and is the current Governor of the Central Bank of Indonesia (BI), and a former coordinating minister for Economic Affairs under president Yudhoyono, Finance minister under Megawati, and Planning minister under BJ Habibie.
He took a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Economics from Australian universities and thereafter obtained a doctorate from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
He is married to Herawati, and they have two children, Ratriana Ekarini and Dios Kurniawan.
Some of the opposition voiced to his candidacy:
Not Islamic
While Boediono’s religion is listed as Islam he is not known for being active in Islamic religious organisations, and some claim that he is a devotee of Javanese animism or spiritualism (kejawen).
The Muslim based parties which had been lining up to offer their own candidate for vice-president are unhappy with the choice of Boediono. The National Awakening Party (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, PKB), United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan, PPP), National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional, PAN) and Prosperous Justice Party (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, PKS) are considering their options as to whether to remain in proto-coalition with SBY’s Partai Demokrat.
PKS president Tifatul Sembiring said
Boediono does not represent the Muslim community.
Tifatul said the president-vice president combination had to be balanced between these four factors:
- civilian and military
- Javanese and non Javanese
- old and young
- Islamic and non Islamic
The Yudhoyono-Boediono pairing failed on most counts, he implied. kompas
Neo-Liberal
While Djoko Susilo from PAN, among many others, made accusations that Boediono was a “neo-liberal” in terms of his economic philosophy, and jakartapost
We are suspicious of possible American interference behind the decision [to choose Boediono].
89 Comments on “Boediono as Vice President”
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Bas says:
Reminds me that Neo liberalism was born in Indonesia. Well it was born in the US but first tested in the 60s in Indonesia (and Chili) by the CIA. Soeharto is the first neo-liberal president.
Privatize everything. Money is all.
No wonder why Indonesia (education, mentality, health system) is in the state we know it now…
Today Neo-liberalism is in all indonesian citizen mind. They think neo-liberalism. They smell neoliberalism. Gotong royong? Hilang. Money. Money. Money. You must pay for everything and worse: in nowaday Indonesia everything is seen from its $ value only. Thanks Pak Harto for turing 50.000.000 people into 230.00.000 smiling stupid monkeys! -
Odinius says:
Bas said:
Soeharto is the first neo-liberal president.
Sorry, dude, but liberalism does not equal privatization. Liberalism is predicated on the idea of individualism, and in particular, the freedom of individuals to make political and economic choices, and the equality of individuals before the law. Neoliberalism specifically entails a lack of state regulation of trade and the economy and the use of private, as opposed to public, capital as the primary engine of development.
In the New Order, the state massively regulated the economy and the government entered into a multitude of joint-stock enterprises. Individuals were not free to make political choices, nor were many individuals free to make economic choices. Individual political and legal rights were mediated by corporate bodies and strictly delimited by the “integralist state.”
Suharto governed an authoritarian, corporatist and crony capitalist state, not a liberal one–neo or otherwise.
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ronald says:
you can say that again odinius. btw, what does odinius mean?
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Astrajingga says:
Yes in New Order, the state massively regulated the economy; but if you’ve read New Order’s UU PMA (Foreign Investment Act) which was prescribed in Switzerland, then you’ll know why, how, and in which part state massively regulated the economy.
I don’t say that regulated economy is all bad or is all good, but, New Order economy is not also an anti-liberalism, anti-privatization, anti-deregulation concept. I wasn’t done in the most careful way either.
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observato says:
Let me translate 5 weakness of SBY-BoedioNO according to Bima Arya S (politics analyst) on a news on detikcom.
Unlike combination traditionally attempted by Indonesia president-vice president candidates, SBY-Budiono both are:
– Nationalist-Nationalist instead of Nationalist-Islamist (a traditional combination begun by Soekarno-Hatta
-Javanese-Javanese (should be Javanese-Non Javanese)
-Academician-Academician (Both have the same style, thingking high, unpractical)
-The vice president doesn’t not represent political power (can be a problem in parliament issues)
-Liberal-Liberal (both pro America). Wish one of them pro Iran instead 🙂SBY doesn’t want someone to fill his weakness. He chose someone to substitute him when necessary, a Soeharto way, while he realize the combination is not good to gain maximum votes in the election. I guess Fox Indonesia must work hard to make the couple win. Perhaps they will use magic :).
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Oigal said
You could produce a book on his blunders, verbal gaffes and economic shortfalls
You may have some knowledge about Indonesia but when it comes about *understanding* indonesian phenomena … hmm I suggest it is a bit different.
Just give your advice to Lee Kwan Yu since it was him who once said JK is the real president. Your facts may worth a consideration but not conclusion. However I understand why ‘west minds’ prefer Budiono. Kind of natural.
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Mr.Overseas Student says:
Oh they don’t call it RCTV anymore? …..
Sorry i haven’t been back in indo since 97..!! (i was 10 then)
Back in Suharto days…
Ahh the old days…………….. I bet Indonesia have changed a lot….I miss Indo……
-Academician-Academician (Both have the same style, thingking high, unpractical)
Well I prefer my leaders to have an academic background…..
They tend to be more practical than the ones who practice Kejawan… -
The problem of most economists is that they rely on debt and then working on macro indicators such as interest rate, inflation etc in front of their computer using textbooks while pretending as if they are building the nation.
Ya I completely agree with you…
The formation of the moon should be used as indicators instead of “macro indicators such as interest rate, inflation etc in front of their computer using textbooks”
………….
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Also, those ‘west minds’ will also consider or conclude that Lee Kwan Yu is as lame as JK, my friend Observato.
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Ah welcome back Mr. Overseas Student.
You missed so much things on Indonesian TV since 1997. Tell you what, there’re many more free-TV stations after 1997! Many more sinetrons, more infotaintments, and for sure, more mana suka siaran niaga/commercial break. Well, there’re some news, that’s okay, but I think airing Indonesian version of “Who Wants to be A Millionaire” was the best.
Why do you hate kejawen so much? Kejawen IS practical and it makes people more practical. You need to watch TV more to learn the truth about this.
At least in kejawen, you can use formation of the moon as macro indicators. It is well described in the good book of Pranoto Mongso.
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Astrajingga said:
Yes in New Order, the state massively regulated the economy; but if you’ve read New Order’s UU PMA (Foreign Investment Act) which was prescribed in Switzerland, then you’ll know why, how, and in which part state massively regulated the economy.
I don’t say that regulated economy is all bad or is all good, but, New Order economy is not also an anti-liberalism, anti-privatization, anti-deregulation concept. I wasn’t done in the most careful way either.
Actually, as I’ve pointed out above, it was fundamentally anti-liberal. Have you ever read any of the New Order. nonsense about “negara integralistik?” This was a decades long justification for the state-mediated, state-controlled corporate structure of economy and society that defined the New Order. This is fundamentally at odds with the liberal concept of economic individualism. Then you have political corporatism, from the RT system up to the 3-party-fixed elections, dwi fungsi, military governorships, etc. All this this is fundamentally at odds with the liberal creed of “one man/one vote/one law.”
In fact, New Order propogandists amped up talk of “integralism” after the fall of the Soviet Union, in order to respond to pressure to liberalize.
The New Order may have been a capitalist state, but it was in no way, shape or form a liberal state.
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ronald said:
you can say that again odinius. btw, what does odinius mean?
Good question! Started with ‘Odin,’ then got latinized. Not sure why I thought that made sense on an Indonesia-focused blog…
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Are you Scandinavian? Or do you live in Valhalla?
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OrdinaryIndo says:
I dont know anything about this neo-bla-bla or Indo foreign debt, but I do know that I do not want my country led by Kalla (look some of his dumb comment), or prabowo/wiranto (criminal or not ? not clear) I agree to whoever say that there are no better pair than SBY-Boediono, many good leaders in Indo but they were not given the chance. what I like about boediono that the fact he is not politician, maybe he would get the job done instead backstabing his president 🙂 or having hidden agenda.
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Valhalla. We still go through the motions of fighting all day and feasting all night, but really it’s just another efficient Scandinavian welfare-state nowadays…
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Rambutan says:
Bima Arya S is a most useless person. So-called political analysts still thinking in TNI-civilian or Java-non-Java dichotomies just show their lack of understanding of the new political dynamics and democratic processes at work. It rather represents classical Orba thinking… And it raises the question why nobody insists on a Muslim-Christian ticket???
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oigal says:
“Nationalist-Nationalist instead of Nationalist-Islamist (a traditional combination begun by Soekarno-Hatta”
Why? Didn’t the people by their very low support of the Islamist parties indicate they wanted nothing to with Political Islam?
“-Javanese-Javanese (should be Javanese-Non Javanese)”
Why, nice if possible but shouldn’t it go to the best person for the job?
“-Academician-Academician (Both have the same style, thingking high, unpractical)”
Your alternative? I would think the VP elect could be called many things but..unpractical
“-The vice president doesn’t not represent political power (can be a problem in parliament issues)”
I would suggest thats a bonus, can you name one party that actually has a set of principles it has stuck to during the campain?
-Liberal-Liberal (both pro America). Wish one of them pro Iran instead””
Pro America..hardly and are you serious about Iran, even the Arab states realise the danger that the Persians represent to the region.
Seems to me, our commentator is more worried about image over substance..situation normal
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yusdy says:
Hey guys!
Have u all thought about why the neolib issue is just erupted recently since Boediono become CAWAPRES?
Why no one talk about this when Boediono was elected as BI governor? In fact, he was the only candidate that was acceptable by DPR for this HOT position. With BI governor position, It is easy to control indonesian economy, if let say what what people accuse him is trueSo I guess the answer is this is just a part of the black campaign!
Kalla accuses him as a Neolib? Well, if this is true, Kalla is also responsible since he is the one who is in charge for the economic team till today. He did never mention about this till he was separated from SBY! then he yells “ekonomi kemandirian” for his campaign. I guess what he means is “ekonomi monopoli”. Have you guys tried to do business in Sulawesi? You can start to realize that majoritity of the business is monopolized by him.
Prabowo with ekonomi kerakyatan? People feel good just because of the name “rakyat”. In fact, they do not know anything about it. With his treasuries about 1.7 T rupiah, where is this money coming from? from his late father in law “soeharto”? Is his business giving any advantages to the wong cilik or just for his damn expensive HORSES? How could you be a good leader while you are still having a lot of conflicting business for your own!
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On the topic, just read this fairly interesting article:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/05/19/between-politics-faith-and-sex.html
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Pro America..hardly and are you serious about Iran, even the Arab states realise the danger that the Persians represent to the region.
What danger. I heard Iran’s enemies are those who hate terrorism (thus love peace) 🙂
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The formation of the moon should be used as indicators instead of “macro indicators such as interest rate, inflation etc in front of their computer using textbooks”
Economics as well as leadership is an approach, not a science, often it is an ideology as you choose socialism, capitalism etc. Learn that all overseas. But don’t use astrology, use sense of art instead, or learn taoism. There are alternatives.
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ET says:
Odinius
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/05/19/between-politics-faith-and-sex.html
Interesting character the writer, Anand Krishna, of this article. He is some kind of a saddhu or guru with his own ashram. I’ve read some of his books. He even has a following among DPR-members, e.g. Utami Pidado.
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Hendra says:
I am agree with Chris Komari, I was choosed SBY for 2004 presidential election for his charming and elegant performance on TV election debate, I was believed he had alot of energy and plan to take over and clean up all of the problems, but I was disapointed, I think right now more problems comes up, Indonesia’s massive debts not the only problem, but I believe in the future the lack of funds to run this country programs also will be the problems due to the payment of debt interest. many Indonesian natural sources have been taked over by big foreign corp. who own big capital. all goverment policies seems to side on the foreign corp. such as abandoned the minimum regional payment for the labour and let the corp. to set their of standard payment for the labour and left the labour union alone behind without any power of bargaining.
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Privatization of national assets, selling state owned company to multinational corporations.
Busting out unions.
And strangling debts, whether it’s debt to IMF, or World Bank, or ADB.
You can call all of them unavoidable effect of global economy system, or the consequences of integrating Indonesian economy to international/global market.
You can also name it as Friedmanite neoliberalism.
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Interesting character the writer, Anand Krishna, of this article. He is some kind of a saddhu or guru with his own ashram. I’ve read some of his books. He even has a following among DPR-members, e.g. Utami Pidado.
He just popped up here! http://www.indonesiamatters.com/5547/gated-communities-halal-cities/#comment-159852
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opak says:
Chris Komari,
I must say you’re an idiot. This maybe a little late to comment on the election cus SBY-Boediono got elected (Thank God). But disregarding people’s past dark history; i’m specifically referring to the may 1998 riot, whom Prabowo and Wiranto was involved in, is definitely someone who is an Idiot. It’s obvious that you disapprove SBY to lead the next 5 years, though I like your reasoning which is argumentative, critical and demanding. But please don’t go around saying“Why is it so critical for you guys to pick or, choose the person or the party? Why are you guys so person or party oriented? What about the issue?”
‘why are you guys so person-oriented’???? you really think Wiranto or Prabowo can tackle any problems with JK or Mega leading them? Of course we have to be person-oriented! See their history and past actions! I don’t wanna have another stupid riot or economic crisis in my country again! and stop putting your trademark at the end of your comments..if you’re truly honest and sincere about the conditions of our country, stop talking like a politician. whose vote are you trying to get? certainly not mine.
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devilkitty says:
pls leave the poor guy alone.. he’s a good person. he’s nationalist, he’s a modest (though he’s rich), he’s not a snob, he’s a great husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. i feel sad when the medias are attacking him.
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sa'id hermato says:
noble father, I was the most loving father, father would please pay attention to my brother and I, I personally leave college because there is no fee, but the pack, the most I think is my brother in college and always cost money, presumably mohan father helped me to finance my sister, although the value of fifty thousand rupiah Indonesian currency, the important fathers willing and sincere to help my brother, may the father of a successful, healthy, stay strong religious faith, and hopefully longevity, amiiiin. Herman and his brother m. fazwira, thank you for your attention the father
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I think sby has a right decision to chose boediono, because he’s not come from any political party, SBY be neutral, go SBY !!!