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President ‘Strongly Committed’ to Press Freedom He called on the Press to join him in building what he called “a people-based democracy, not a democracy based on the state or one that is centered on the media.” JAKARTA (TPP) – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last week reaffirmed his belief in freedom of expression, telling a large gathering of the nation’s journalists that “I am strongly committed to Press freedom.” He also called on the Press to join him in building what he called “a people-based democracy, not a democracy based on the state or one that is centered on the media.” He also underscored the Press as “a force” that should make use of its position “constructively.” ”It is the discretion of the media to choose, to decide, and to define how that power is utilized for the greater good of our society,” said the President. The President, Indonesia’s first directly-elected head of state (he was re-elected in 2009 for a second and last five-year term), made the statement during a speech addressed to commemorate the 64th National Press Day (HPN) last week in Palembang, South Sumatra. ”In many countries we see media-centered democracy, which communications experts say can be an impediment. We in Indonesia are heading towards peoplecentered democracy,” he said. As power tends to veer (from its noble course), “we need to make sure that checks and balances are always applied, and this is also valid to the Press.” As part of the HPN celebration, the President gave a “maiden lecture” entitled “Failure is Not an Option” to students of the School of Journalism in Palembang. He said Indonesia has passed at least two big tests so far, namely the multi-dimensional crisis in
1998 and the world economic crisis in 2008. “The two achievements were attained by the nation`s best sons and daughters, and for that we must show our sense of appreciation to them,” he said. The President added that after the country had passed the second test, the next challenge would be to prepare a new generation of national leadership and to continue development efforts to create welfare for the people. “To that end, at least three pillars are needed, namely economic progress, development of democracy and realization of justice,” he said. President Yudhoyono said Indonesia must be able to overcome various challenges after it had successfully overcome a number of crises in the past decade. “We have passed past tests and therefore we must also be able to overcome future tests to make Indonesia more advanced in the 21st century.” The President further said crises in the past had undermined the country`s economy and triggered conflicts. “Some had even predicted that Indonesia would break up and disappear,” he said. “However Indonesia had been able to pass those difficult times,” he said. “We have survived as a nation and have made positive changes. There has been a reawakening and Indonesia`s role in the international forum is rising,” he said. “Indonesia is where it is today because we have huge capital, much experience and a new momentum,” he said.
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Photo: www.presidenri.go.id
From SBY to the Press • to espouse values and norms that will make democracy grow • to use its power in the interests of the people. • to use its power wisely and to help the nation become successful • to safeguard corruption eradication efforts • to exercise self-censorship, cover both sides and be selective on stories (proper/improper) • to support the government and make its development programs successfu
VP, Hatta in the Same Boat on IPP: Official
ments. “PLN said it can only renegotiate with first and second categories of IPPs,” Purwono said, adding the government would wait for the results from the (B2B) negotiations. “IPPs basically want higher prices. We ask PLN to discuss this matter,” Purwono said. He added the final results of the negotiation must be audited by the Development Finance Comptroller Agency (BPKP). “Whatever PLN’s decision is, as long as it has been approved by the state auditor [BPKP] the government can approve it as well,” Purwono said.
Vice President Boediono and Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa may have different opinions, but they are united on solving problems with independent power producers (IPP)s, says an official. Boediono’s spokesman Yopie Hidayat denied a story carried by The Jakarta Post last week, which reported a rift between the Vice President and Hatta. Yopie said that both state officials were concerned about finding a solution to the IPP problems. He explained that Boediono and Hatta met on Jan. 18 to discuss IPP problems with other public officials. During the meeting, he said, differing opinions emerged before a consensus was reached. “In the meeting, Pak Boediono and Pak Hatta were of one
voice. Both wanted to help PLN [state power firm] to deal with the 50 IPPs. They all wanted to secure PLN from possible lawsuits,” Yopie said. “All participants are committed to helping PLN and not to giving certain privileges to people who are close to the President,” he added.
ples, demanding the companies renegotiate their contracts directly with PLN management under the government’s supervision. J. Purwono, the director general for electricity and energy utility at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, explained that PLN had categorized IPPs into three categories.
The 50 IPPs, having gained operating licenses between 2004 and 2009, are largely owned by prominent businessmen. Despite the small capacity of combined IPPs, totaling 500 megawatts, the Cabinet included the resolution of IPP disputes in its 100-day program. According to State-Owned Enterprises Minister Mustafa Abubakar, all problems related to IPPs would be resolved based on business-to-business princi-
The first category comprises IPPs that had secured financing and started construction. According to Yopie, there are five IPPs in the first category. The second category covers IPPs that had secured financing, but had not started construction—there were 12 in that category. The third lists IPPs that had signed power purchase agreements with PLN, but had not yet secured any financial commit-
He added the government was waiting for PLN’s decision and the BPKP audit. PLN’s business and risk management director Murtaqi Syamsuddin, said the company expected to finish negotiations within a year. “We are working on it,” he said. Murtaqi denied a report saying that PLN had dropped the negotiation with some IPPs. “That information is inaccurate,” he said.
INTERVIEW
THE ECONOMY
BUSINESS
LIVING
Harris Thajeb: “We have no authority to impose sanctions.”
The Prospects of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
Uncovering Secrets to a Longer Life
150 out of the thousands of ads that were run in the media (television, radio, newspapers, and the internet) last year, considered to have violated the PPPI’s code of ethics.
SEZs are a means to attract domestic as well as foreign direct investments (FDIs). The main issue, however, is that our existing industrial policy should be in line with domestic as well as regional changes in consumer behaviour
Five State-Owned Companies to Go Public This Year
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The four companies to conduct an IPO this year are housing construction company PT Pembangunan Perumahan (PP), plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (PTPN) and steel company PT Krakatau Steel.
Garuda Indonesia, Shell in Corporate Sales Deal
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T Garuda Indonesia has concluded a corporate sales agreement with PT Shell Indonesia as part of its program to cooperate with 750 companies in its bid to secure potential income of Rp2 trillion. “This conforms to the increase in our capacity after we acquired 24 new planes and opened 10 new domestic and international routes,” Garuda Indonesia President Director and CEO Emirsyah Satar said after the signing of the accord with Shell Indonesia last week. He said last year the airline signed a MoU with 580 big companies in Indonesia with total income expected at over Rp600 billion. In connection with the cooperation Emirsyah said the company had prepared special packages for Shell employees in Indonesia for domestic as
“This conforms to the increase in our capacity after we acquired 24 new planes and opened 10 new domestic and international routes.” Emirsyah Satar Garuda Indonesia President Director and CEO
well as international flights. The president director of Shell Indonesia, Darwin Silalahi, said the contract was not only based upon a discount facility as it also shows Garuda`s capability to serve large numbers of customers. To develop a corporate market, in the future Garuda will facilitate access for its corporate partners through “Garuda Online Booking Corporate” facility, Garuda`s head of communications, Pujobroto, said. Garuda recently earned a four-star class recognition from SkyTrax, an international rating agency for airline service. It expects to earn the five-star title in 2013, he said. Shell is a global energy and petrochemical business group with around 102,000 employees in more than 100 countries and regions, based in The Hague, the Netherlands. In Indonesia it operates in various locations in Java and Kalimantan. Photo: Kristupa Saragih
The secret to longevity, as I see it, has less to do with diet, or even exercise, and more to do with the environment in which a person lives: social and physical.
In the cabin: Garuda recently earned a four-star class recognition from SkyTrax, an international rating agency for airline service.