Indonesia, better than Thailand?

 Panthep Klanarong, president of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, spent about 20 minutes discussing the obstacles facing his office. He defended his office's performance, saying that it has only the power to investigate and not to prosecute, and that he needs the help of other agencies and departments, and the people of Thailand, to combat corruption.

Apparently, one of the reasons corruption in Thailand is rampant and rarely checked is because not even the National Anti-Corruption Commission has the power to stop it.

Mohammad Jasin, vice-chair of Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), for approximately 10 minutes, explained his commission's 100% conviction rate. His commission has the power to investigate and to prosecute, and even to take over cases from the police if need be.
Sixteen members of parliament have been convicted, 26 cases are still ongoing. Six ministers and others of ministerial level have been convicted. Twenty district mayors and heads. One governor of the central bank and four deputies. And a former chief of the national police.
If there's one thing I've learned from the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference, which finished in Bangkok yesterdayfrom Nov 10-14, it's that perhaps Thailand needs to be more like Indonesia. This is not to say that Indonesia and KPK don't have flaws, but it is to say that they are doing a lot better than we are.
The most popular, and most baffling, statistic last week was the 76.1% of Thais who believe that corruption is OK, as long as the country prospers. They were surveyed by Abac Poll.
That means that of the Thai population of 63.7 million, 76.1% of the people do not realise that such an attitude can only help corruption to prosper, not the country; 76.1% of the country who do not understand that because of such an attitude, the country can never prosper.
If this poll tells us anything, it's that the stark horror of our collective misguided existence is a genuine metaphorical reflection of the brainless, soulless and clueless zombies in a classic George Romero horror film.
Perhaps the 76.1% simply feel defeated. How can they not? Just go back to the first paragraph of this column. Talk about deflating, eh?
Not only that. To address this disconcerting find, the prime minister's spokesperson, Thepthai Senpong, announced that the government will ask the Ministry of Culture to combat such attitudes head-on by building a new culture, creating a new consciousness for the Thai people, one that would not condone corruption.
Excuse me?
Re-engineering the mindset of the entire country? It's not that I disagree, but would it not be more practical for the honourable spokesperson to just advise the prime minister to sack one or two of his corrupt ministers?
To at least make a credible stance on the Constitution Court's video-clip crisis?
To mandate the National Anti-Corruption Commission with actual, real power to combat corruption?
You know, to set an example for the people of Thailand? Call me crazy, but hey, I'm full of wacky ideas.
No wonder 76.1% believes corruption is OK. What else can you do?
Mr Jasin showed the conference a picture of televised court proceedings. Yes, the entire country gets to watch the court doing its job. How's that for transparency?
In Thailand? We have to smuggle video clips.
Mr Jasin also spoke of how ''dark forces'' are trying to limit the power of, or even do away with the KPK. On learning of this, the people of Indonesia took to the streets in droves in support of the KPK.
Why? Because the KPK has set an example, has given them hope, has shown it can be done, and so the people stood up.
This is not to say Indonesia and the KPK don't have their flaws. The KPK is still quite limited in its powers, and is no stranger to controversy itself. But it sure is doing a lot better than Thailand and the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The Abac survey compares Thais' attitudes toward corruption from before the 2006 military coup and the present day. And here's the stinker _ 90.1% believe that there's been an increase in corruption with the present government. Four years ago, 84.9% believed there was an increase in corruption under the Thaksin government.
There you go, according to the Abac survey conducted in 17 provinces, the Abhisit government is believed to have a higher rate of corruption than the Thaksin government. To be fair, surveys are not a perfect science, but they do tell you something.
But here is the bigger stinker: The supposed purpose of the 2006 coup was to counter corruption. After the coup, four years later, Thais perceive Thailand as having a higher rate of corruption. Seriously?
If this poll tells us something else, it's that the stark horror of my beloved Kingdom's absurd existence is real life imitating an episode of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone.
At the International Anti-Corruption Conference, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke of his latest efforts to combat corruption _ the signing of an agreement with 27 leading Thai businesses in an alliance against corruption.
Putting pen to paper is all well and good. As a writer, I'm all for the belief that the pen is mightier than the sword. But as a practical, thinking human being, I also understand that there are times when we need to unsheath the sword.
Perhaps we could, like Indonesia, empower a real, actual mandate to smite corruption.
Put away the blustering and posturing. Bring out the sword. Make sure it's sharp.
And wield it justly.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/206286/an-existential-horror

Defamation VS Democracy

A brilliant legal history and wide-ranging diagnosis of current discontent

This big, brave and important book argues that defamation laws are the cornerstone of Thailand's authoritarian political culture. They have strangled the media, wrecked public debate, undermined artistic and intellectual work, and ensured impunity for a long litany of state crimes. They underpin an authoritarian control of thought and expression that is extraordinary in a country that likes to think of itself as a democracy. [...]

This book is a brilliant essay on Thailand's legal history based on very detailed research into legislation and case law. In addition, it offers a complex, thoughtful and wide-ranging diagnosis of current discontents. Its rich historical and international perspective should make Thailand's democrats and Democrats pause to wonder where the country is heading.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/leisure/book/205282/defamation-vs-democracy

Burma's cynical bid for approval, a rigged ballot

The military's elaborate seven-point road map is designed simply to assure the Army will still rule.

 

In democracies, going to the polls is the best method for voters to keep or remove politicians who have fulfilled or failed to respond to the needs of their constituencies. However, the scheduled election in Burma today has a different function. It merely aims to legitimise the horrible regime of General Than Shwe, who has ruled his country with an iron fist.
After decades of oppression, the regime believes that it can give itself a face-lift by staging an elaborate multi-pronged scheme of democratisation, known as a seven-point road map. This blueprint will reach its finale when the polling booths across Burma open today.
The outcome is clear: the government's nominee party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, will win the majority. It is 20 years since the previous election, when the opposition party, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, overwhelmingly won the vote. Burma's top generals have since learnt valuable lessons on how not to be defeated again. This time around, they have devised a long-term strategy and complicated ways and means to ensure that the USDP and their cronies in various forms and colours will win big. No wonder, several townships have the audacity to declare winners ahead of the polls. The Burmese military junta leaders are clever enough to use the electoral process as an effective instrument to wash their bloody hands. After all, the world community still considers a bad election better than no election. There have been lessons aplenty offering an insight into the role elections play in failed states or underdeveloped or controlled nations.
Take for instance what happened in Afghanistan or Sudan. Subsequent international acceptance was given, although reluctantly. With that kind of political expediency, the junta has chosen to go with the growing sentiment that an election, albeit heavily rigged and managed, is better than none.
No wonder the election in Burma has generated serious division among the Burmese community both inside and outside the country. Supporters continue to view the poll as a small window to express their preferences - the only freedom they have. Some of these voters obviously want to use their votes as an ultimate tool to punish the regime that has ignored the population. For opponents, today's election is a sham and nothing positive will come out of it. It is sad that no international monitoring teams or observers are allowed to assess the real intention of the estimated 27.4 million voters.
Representatives of UN agencies and foreign missions will be allowed to visit some polling stations, but with restrictions. Repeated Asean offers to dispatch a team of observers, which would join up with their missions based inside Burma, has been ignored by the regime. Even without any cooperation, Asean is poised to accept the poll's outcome, which we already know.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/11/07/opinion/Burmas-cynical-bid-for-approval-a-rigged-ballot-30141680.html

Political ads removed from refugee shelters

A team comprising personnel from the police, military, Public Order Office and Transportation Ministry removed political advertisements from Merapi refugee shelters on Tuesday.

The recent Merapi eruption has not only forced more than 12,000 residents to take refuge at shelters lining the roads, but has also inspired political parties to post myriad banners, posters and flags informing the public of their assistance to Merapi victims.

“The advertisements and party symbols are illegal because they did not obtain permits,” Sleman Public Order Office chief Setiharno said Tuesday.

The illegal advertisements were confiscated to avoid any negative impact, Sleman Transportation Agency operational manager Imam Bajuri said.

“This is a disaster area and people are in a state of trauma and mourning. Don’t turn the area into a promotional or campaign arena!” Imam said.

The illegal ads violated a law that regulates the posting of advertisements and banners in Sleman regency, he said.

Officers were observed indiscriminately pulling down political banners at the Kepuharjo shelter and the disaster command post in Cangkringan, Sleman, including a large banner reading “Welcome to the Golkar Party, chairman Aburizal Bakrie”.

A number of signboards were also removed.

The team will continue to pull down the thousands of advertisements remaining on Wednesday.

“We are commoners, but have been commercially exploited,” said 70-year-old Wiyono of Jambu village in Kepuharjo. Wiyono is currently taking refuge at the Kepuharjo shelter.

The grandfather of five said he was pleased to see authorities removing the hundreds of party banners and advertisements. “Don’t disturb those in distress like us,” he said.

Many charity posts have also been set up following the eruption, often taking advantage of the situation to promote themselves by displaying such banners.

Dozens of charity posts near the Umbulharjo shelter and command post are now noticeably empty.

Previously there were banners reading “Merapi Charity Post” with the name of a particular group, but no charitable activities were being conducted

“Various groups have set up their own posts without coordination. After checking the posts, nothing is going on there,” Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said a day before the ad removal operation.

Hamengkubuwono said political parties should not be promoting themselves or benefiting from the disaster, and that only the Indonesian flag should fly at shelters.

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta | Wed, 11/03/2010 9:26 AM | The Archipelago

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/11/03/political-ads-removed-refugee-shelters.html

Asean leaders ask Burma to let in observers

"Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that Burma suffers from a credibility deficit, and his Filipino counterpart Alberto Romulo as been insisting that an election that is not fair, free and inclusive is little more than a farce."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/10/29/mekong/Asean-leaders-ask-Burma-to-let-in-observers-30141085.html

Raziah – Protestors jailed

"In a recent story Sarawak Report exposed the shocking attempt by the firm Quality Concrete to force Iban villagers to hand over their rights to 3,035 hectares of Native Customary Rights Lands in Sebangan for just MR 250 (US$ 80) per family.

The company, of which the Chief Minister’s sister Raziah is one of the Directors,  is after the millions of dollars-worth of rare and valuable hardwood trees in the area.  However the Ibans are refusing, saying they want to preserve their forest for future generations."
http://hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/10946/

Indonesian activists reject Suharto for 'hero' gong

"The annual award goes to Indonesians who "perform acts of heroism and make extraordinary contributions" to the nation.
But anti-graft campaigner Teten Masduki, of Transparency International, said Suharto was unworthy of such an honour because he led a corrupt regime that stole billions of dollars from the country.
"He was extraordinarily corrupt to the point of bankrupting Indonesia. How could such a person be made a national hero?" he told AFP."


http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/202205/indonesian-activists-reject-suharto-for-hero-gong

Protests on SBY anniversary

JAKARTA - THOUSANDS of protesters took to the streets in Indonesia on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the swearing in of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Anti-government rallies were staged in Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Palu and Bogor, where students reportedly clashed with police. Almost 20,000 police were on standby in the capital to deal with unrest, the Antara state news agency reported, but there were no reports of violence in the city.
About 300 protesters gathered in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta, shouting 'SBY has failed, SBY has failed'. 'He has failed to eradicate corruption,' said Rudi Daman of a group called the People's Defender Front.
Another protester, Yati Andriyani of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, said Dr Yudhoyono had not honoured promises to protect human rights in the mainly Muslim country of 240 million people. 'They were only empty promises,' she said.
Demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at police who responded with tear gas in Makassar, South Sulawesi province, on Tuesday as Dr Yudhoyono visited the town. The president, a centrist ex-general, warned protesters to express dissent within the limits of the law and not to try to overthrow the government, a loose coalition of nationalist secular and Islamic parties.
'The democracy we all want is not one leading to a sea of slander and anarchy, which can damage the things that we have built,' Dr Yudhoyono told Elshinta radio. 'As a country, the world will see whether a nation's democracy is ethical and civilised or not.' -- AFP

Soeharto as Hero?

Human rights activists, however, have repeatedly voiced concern over Soeharto’s human right abuses.

Sumarsih from the Solidarity Network of Victim Families of Human Rights Violations said Soeharto was a corrupt and authoritarian leader whose regime was largely supported by the military.

“During his tenure, he committed many gross human rights abuses as has already proven by the investigations of the National Commission on Human Rights,” she said.

Sumarsih added that Soeharto’s role as the country’s “father of development”, a commonly cited reason behind the push to name him a national hero, must be re-examined.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/19/people-have-say-soeharto-hero.html

Thai PM testifies in crucial case - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

The Democrat Party - Thailand's oldest party - could be dissolved if found guilty while Abhisit, who was its deputy leader at the time the grant was allegedly misused, could be handed a five-year ban from politics, along with other executives.

Thai PM testifies in crucial case - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

Jakarta street punks not as scary as they look

“I never steal though. I do feel that I am much better than those people with neat appearances who are corrupt,” Marco said.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/14/jakarta-street-punks-not-scary-they-look.html

Indonesia concludes Australian drug smuggler Scott Rush's final hearing

The president has previously shown little mercy to death row drug convicts, although he regularly reduces sentences for corrupt officials.

I'm not usually inclined to include these personal interest stories. However, the above line caught my eye and made me smile.

None of this takes anything away from the fact that prisons in Indonesia are appalling and Mr Rush will be joining the many Indonesians and overseas nationals that languish in them. Families of detained Indonesian people will be rallying around to raise money to secure the most basic necessities for their family members in often far-away prisons.

(See: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/indonesian-prisons-pamper-the-rich/352166 ; http://www.indonesiamatters.com/9687/indonesian-prisons/ )