| Indonesia’s Yudhoyono Gets a Black Eye |
|
|
| Written by Fabio Scarpello | |
| Sunday, 03 June 2007 | |
|
Growing allegations of
2004 election corruption cast a shadow on the president’s
reputation for honesty
The latest blow to Yudhoyono’s credibility comes from revelations of illegal funding of the 2004 presidential campaign including the passage of slush funds to at least four campaigns, including Yudhoyono’s own. Critics say it also raises questions whether other ministries maintained similar slush funds, throwing the legitimacy of the entire 2004 campaign open to question.
The president has responded with an impassioned nationally televised speech denying any association with the funds, and threatening defamation suits against his accusers. Later he told a radio station, "Our honesty in recording everything is what caused me to fall into this mess."
The allegations arise from the trial of the former Minister of Maritime Affairs, Rokhmin Dahuri, who is being questioned by the Anti-Corruption Commission for distributing Rp115 billion (US$1.3 million) from his ministry’s non-budgetary fund during former President Megawati Sukarnoputri’s term in office. Dahuri faces up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
In addition to channeling funds to Megawati’s campaign, Dahuri later admitted handing out the equivalent of US$2 million to other election campaigns. In his deposition, the former minister said that Megawati, received Rp275 million. Yudhoyono and his running mate, Jusuf Kalla, allegedly received Rp200 million via National Sun Party General Chairman Iman Addaruqutni, while candidates Wiranto and Salahuddin Wahid were reported to have received Rp220 million.
Amien Rais, the former Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly and former Chairman of the National Mandate Party, was the fourth to be implicated and became the first to own up, acknowledging accepting Rp400 million from the former minister. Amien said he thought the funds were legitimate and didn’t know they had come from the maritime ministry. He defended his actions, but added that Yudhoyono had received funds as well.
Laws passed in 2002 and 2003 stipulate that parties and candidates are prohibited from receiving donations from abroad, the state budget or anonymous sources.
Ali Fachry, chairman of the Institute for the Study and Advancement of Business Ethics, said Yudhoyono’s reputation has been tainted in the eyes of the middle class.
“If the disappointment trickles down to the masses, it could jeopardize his chances of being re-elected in 2009,” he said, referring to the next presidential election.
Indonesia is regularly ranked among the world’s most corrupt countries by Transparency International and cleaning out the ingrained corruption, which reached its height during the 32-year reign of the former strongman Suharto, is proving hugely difficult. While many of the major business cronies who were enriched by Suharto have been neutralized, others have fled the country/ Still others have remain entrenched in the country. The first three post-Suharto presidents B.J. Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati failed to address the issue effectively.
Reformers have been hampered by a largely corrupt legislature and a court system often open to the highest bidder. Yudhoyono, the first directly elected president, has made the fight against graft the main priority of his five-year term. In fairness, the former general has given some strong signals, but critics say that his anti-corruption crusade is skewed against political opponents. For instance, Widjanakaro Puspoyo, the former chairman of Bulog, the graft-riddled National Logistic Agency was arrested recently on corruption charges. Puspoyo is a member of Megawati’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.
To charges that he has gone easy on Suharto’s clan and the military, Yudhoyono has sought to revitalize his corruption campaign by promoting Attorney General Hendarman Supandji in the latest cabinet reshuffle and by going after Hutomo “Tommy” Mandala, Suharto’s son, who is accused of embezzling billions of dollars during his father’s reign. In May, Supandji ordered lawsuits against several public foundations once chaired by Suharto.
While Yudhoyono’s political opponents and have called for an official investigation of the slush funds, the president himself has refused to order one, saying the financial report from his party's election campaign was submitted to the General Elections Commission, as requested by the law. Yudhoyono’s words have failed to convince critics. Arif Nur Alam, head of the Forum for Budget Transparency, an organization set up to monitor government spending, added fuel to the fire by telling reporters, “The Dahuri case is just the tip of the iceberg.” He estimates that more than US$7 million is embezzled by Indonesia's main parties each year. The Golkar Party and Megawati’s part allegedly were involved, as was the Democratic Party. “The money came non-budgetary funds and was given to most parties,” he said. On the same wavelength, Frenky Simanjuntak from Transparency International Indonesia, the local branch of the global watchdog, said that “ministers' non-budgetary funds are in a grey area and difficult to trace. This is neither normal nor allowed, but I cannot say that it is unusual in Indonesia.”
“If it is proved that Yudhoyono received money in this way, it could be very, very damaging for him. But some damage has already been done, regardless,” he added.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Comments
(32)
good enough for all thanks
written by ryas , February 07, 2009
for my beautifull country,,many more power Political,,,Please... helps ..god ..for all indonesian succes,,,the relative situation and the better plan...... ,,SBY is still one of the best indonesia' for reduction..more potention ,,.crime. and honestly., but see before next time.. commitment for indonesia,??, ,the political relative much seassion coz many regular uncomplite and many partai's so much,,many more character but indonesian still of the one for our people,, U can chooice whatever ?,, the same says Do More and Talk Less...Indonesian country'still the best cultural of people and many charateristic , all the world people can see indonesian and visit,,cos' indonesian the nice cultural of people,. BIneka Tunggal Ika....Peace be nice.. ... better than extra.... U think U have,,...chears//
Votes: +0
 report abuse
vote down
vote up
Fear and not firm.
written by Agus , January 30, 2009
Mr. SBY is very careful in taking policy. Both foreign policy and in the country. Because it is too cautious, seemed to fear. Fear and not firm.
Votes: -3
Be the person who firmly O General. Show that Indonesia is a Muslim, the Muslim authority. Include your.. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Support and Vote SBY For Election 2009
written by Dukung SBY , January 22, 2009
Support and vote for SBY
Votes: +2
report abuse
vote down
vote up
...
written by Nuri , January 14, 2009
screw fabio scarpello.
Votes: +1
personally and sincerely, i hope SBY wins the next election. we need a president like him to keep the nation in order. he's got a black eye because he worries about the nation and the people all the time, not because he wasted his time all night reading a crap like this fabio scarface wrote. thank you. report abuse
vote down
vote up
leadership revolution
written by boyke , December 23, 2008
yudhoyono president is one of big name for a better system from bad culture system at indonesia. specially with the nation indonesia famous corruption although extant many coruptor free at this country.
Votes: +3
endpoint i wanna just to say God bless u.Immanuel report abuse
vote down
vote up
...
written by Irvan Lubis , December 21, 2008
Please do the journalism further for the fact. Why don't you look for the campaign team member? You have to look more information? Honestly you have to be VERY careful on what you write and what you sought. Bad article...And bad informations.
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
do straight shooter can become a president??
written by adma , December 14, 2008
i think this author make hyperbola article about Mr. Yudhoyono for his party/side purpose , i know Mr. Yodhoyono not bad as he mention there.
Votes: +0
also i'm not sure if there is any straight shooter (honest man) can be a president in this world. No honest people can survive in politics, report abuse
vote down
vote up
I dont Believe Yudoyono's ability
written by Andreas , December 10, 2008
As president, he always says: "I expect you to do...", or "I hope you to do...". If as president can only expect, so who can ask or instruct? I don't like president like him. Sometime irons hand is better as long is honest than honest can not do anything.
Votes: +2
report abuse
vote down
vote up
OPEN YOUR EYES AND PLEASE SEE CLEARER
written by Riady , December 04, 2008
Dear Mr Fabio Scarpello,
Votes: +2
Our country now enjoy better situation, though there is still some area need to be fixed, please see the positive side that our honorable President Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono(SBY) has perform his best to show to serve and lead his people with all his passion and his power. Corruption may be still the issue in this country, but it does not make any sense to clean this disease in five years time, you are talking about the disease that have infected this country for many years. the big picture that you shall see here, Our Honourable President made some crucial effort to fight this social disease, which the next step i believe he would implement is to re-educate our people with good morality value thus our nation will be cleansed from corruption in one unity. News and Media may be influenced by political party that would like to topple current cabinet under leadership of SBY for their own benefit. at this situation where global economy in turmoil, we got to stand united, hand in hand to work together to endure and solve this situation. The Government are trying their best i believe to solve people condition. A country with constant political change added with young anarchist who do not know anything and external or internal provocation, means Judicial, government and economical destruction. At this time we do not require any outsider to complain or write any issues or opinions that will further degrade our nation unity under President Yudhoyono. If you a researcher for indonesia affair, you still need to do more research and interview, before making any unjust jurisdiction towards our country internal affair. report abuse
vote down
vote up
I Believe in Good Leaders, those Include Mr. Yudhoyono
written by Sigit , November 25, 2008
A red this article, and--- man! Are you blind? Mr.Yudhoyono even sent Aulia Pohan into investigation. Something we've never seen before, huh? I think he is a good example of good leaders these days.
Votes: +6
report abuse
vote down
vote up
fair see the truths
written by fair-golput , November 24, 2008
see the truths,
Votes: +0
yudhoyono is much better, it's real and it's not easy report abuse
vote down
vote up
fair see the truths
written by fair-golput , November 24, 2008
see-the-truths,
Votes: -1
yudhoyono much better, it's real and it's not easy report abuse
vote down
vote up
what else the world wants from us
written by Peter Rahman , November 19, 2008
Sometime we always look for what we don't have but we forgot to treassure what we at the moment already haves and in many other countries they only dream of having. There are many countries where the citizen live in fear of being murder, rape, sodomized etc. Indonesian has been the largest muslim citizen democracy in the world, what else the wolrd wants from us? Our government has tried their best to chase off terroris Al qaeda and recently executed three bombers, what else the world want from us? Our government has tried to free Indonesia from rice dependency so everyone will be well feed, what else the world want from us? We have tried to erradicate drugs and corruptions by establishing BNN and KPK, what else the world want from us? We want the world to understand that we are doing our best despite we are a young independent nation that somewhat have weaknesses and loopholes, the world can advice us, critisize us, whisperring in our ears but please stop embarrashing us because we have pride that we are Indonesian citizen, an archipelago nation with diverse cultures but united as one.
Votes: +5
report abuse
vote down
vote up
not much
written by megapantat , November 18, 2008
I'm an Indonesian who LOVES INDONESIA very much.
Votes: +0
If SBY got a black eye, that's because he's working. Unlike his predecessor. Note: In singular. http://pilihmegawati.blogspot.com report abuse
vote down
vote up
objective
written by wahyu , November 13, 2008
now it's time for us, all indonesian people has to be objective. The question is did Mr. SBY has fulfill what he had promise to people when he was elected to be the president of Indonesia ??
Votes: -1
NOT AT ALL, he was fail to take care the poor and the needy from this country even it's going bigger. See lumpur lapindo disaster, he protect the person who caused this matter because he has his own intention to that person. and many things else that make people suffer. I am so sick with this man. I swear i will not choose him again and i will provoke all of my friend and relation to do the same. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Kaum MUDA Indonesia? Thn 2008 > Momentum utk Bangkit & Bersatu !!
written by FKJN , November 13, 2008
Salam NUSANTARA,
Votes: +2
Tahun 2008 sebagai momentum kaum MUDA Indonesia untuk Bangkit & Bersatu, melawan segala upaya infiltrasi gaya & cara Kapitalisme Ekstrim thdp Bangsa ini. dengan cara : Persaudaraan Nusantara Bangun Negeri atas dasar kepemilikan Roh Semangat Kebangsaan & Gotong Royong. http://front-jong-nusantara.700megs.com report abuse
vote down
vote up
Mr.
written by Muljono , November 10, 2008
Dear all,
Votes: +1
Who is Fabio Scapello? Let's disregard his comment. Giving comments to his wrtings will only stimulate him to write more. Let's go back to ourwork. Time is so precious, and clean mind is very important to start with for every task we have. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Leave
written by IBeN , October 24, 2008
Why should we read something rubbish like this? Indonesia people has right to choose who they think the best. Yes we need information, but it has to be well-balanced, and objective. People are now much more well-educated, and I think they can make well informed decision without needing to listen to foreign press who always have skeptical eyes to Indonesia. Yes we had bad reputation on corruptions. I witnessed, experienced and wrote about it. But SBY is clearly the best president who fight for corruption. It's not there yet, but we made good progress I think. So, wWhy bother? This is our country, ladies and gentlemen. The place where our kids will stand in the future. Let's build and stand in pride.
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
For Indonesia
written by Nina_SouthSulawesi , October 19, 2008
Indonesia ist my beautifull Country...
Votes: +0
Indonesia memiliki beraneka ragam budaya, yang dapat memberikan nilai plus dibandingkan negara-negara lain yang ada. Go...go...go... Indonesia.Kibarkan merah putihmu bersama hembusan angin. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Lets Do More instead of Talk More
written by agus , October 14, 2008
I am Indonesian too...
Votes: +0
if we are talking about government there are too many negative things on it but lets do more instead of talk more. just report all the negative thing which connect to corruption and its activities to KPK. For government, it is much better if you DO MORE and TALK LESS....since your statement will impact to this nation directly and always civil people will get the direct impact, so please don't; THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY STATEMENT. report abuse
vote down
vote up
True, and it is still happening, Lowly rated comment [Show]
Oil & Gas Facility Project Manager _ Retired Vico Indonesia Oil & Gas Business, Badak _ Bontang East Borneo, Indonesia.
written by Iskandar Ibrahim , September 26, 2008
From 10 posted comment _ agree more on written statements by Mr. Klozer; it is fair and sound better to say that of what Mr. Klozer said. Suggest audience to also read on issues posted at " Global Crises ". Hope audience will comprehend better on the issues of Corruptions in terms of global scopes _ the world over rather than limited to that of local only _ Indonesia. Thence would you guys ( the audience ) later will agree upon seeing the USA & UK are even bigger cases of world tyrants & corruptions _ not only USA / UK and the rest in the NATO, including the IMF & World Banks they are all getting caugt in world corruptions, but are worst _ they are geting caught in the world robbery of wealth over the third world. See one notable example ( and there are many ) _ history recorded by the facts of USA / UK invasion of Iraq _ they have been actually pursuing after the path of 100 years of Oil Wars over Middle East _ Iraq in particular since 1920th leading to robbery of Iraq Oil; rather than merely by chance of recent success of wars in purging the Saddam Regimes ( which were nevertheless also very corrupted local tyrants in Iraq ). What about the robbery of USA _ Mc Moran New Orleans based Mining Company over Indonesian wealth of Gold and Copper mine @ Grassberg / Jaya Pura / Irian Jaya; that they have very successfully exploited over the last 40 years, with the local assistance ( Slush fund ? paid under table ? ) to the local corrupted late Suharto Regimes and Ministry of Mines and Energy at the time? Please verify for the facts ? _ of what Indonesia has received in return of business agreement between Indonesia & USA Mc Moran Gold Mine _ Grassberg Irian Jaya ?? Any comment by SBY pending election 2009 ?? What holds the problems _ thence local Indonesia corruptions will be also relevent to discuss _ for a better resolution ?? Detailed Explanations, Ha ??
Votes: -1
Quote "" Hey..why don't we look with the white eyes?? : Klozer I'm sure that no one can govern this country perfectly for this condition, but there could be the one of our president govern the best he can. and SBY can do it. if You think that he wanna flick off his political opponent, i'm sure that's you're wrong. exactly, he endanger his position as president, cos he know that he will get many kontra opinion, n you're the one of it, right?? but SBY still on his decision to do the best he can until the finish line i.e where he can't do everything cos loose belief of indonesian people. i'm sure that everyone who become president n have a good intention, will do their best, So let we see untill the end.. "" Unquote. report abuse
vote down
vote up
If it applies to SBY, then everyone have black eyes
written by James P. , September 24, 2008
I mean, as the list said that all presidential candidates from the 2004 election received monies also, so everyone have black eyes. As someone who voted for SBY back in 2004 and surely won't vote for him again next year, his main weakness is his tendency to be indecisive. He failed to implement a sound energy plan (as proven by the chronic oil, natural gas, and electricity shortages), inability to combat corruption within the bureaucracy, the judicative-branch, and legislative-branches of the government, and his perceived out of touch with the real conditions facing the people. I agree with Bambang Wiradiningrat, sometimes he can be so naive as to fall to cheap tricks such as the Banyu Geni/Blue Energy and Super Toy rice-paddy variant scandals.
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Hidden Mission??
written by Alexander Hintz , September 20, 2008
Mr. Scarpello wrote the article on 3 June 2007. Amazingly, this page is listed on my gmail as sponsored link recently. It's like another form of a black campaign due to the election is coming on 2009. I believe that there is a hidden mission behind this.
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Hey..why don\'t we look with the white eyes??
written by Klozer , September 12, 2008
I'm sure that no one can govern this country perfectly for this condition, but there could be the one of our president govern the best he can. and SBY can do it. if You think that he wanna flick off his political opponent, i'm sure that's you're wrong. exactly, he endanger his position as president, cos he know that he will get many kontra opinion, n you're the one of it, right??
Votes: +1
but SBY still on his decision to do the best he can until the finish line i.e where he can't do everything cos loose belief of indonesian people. i'm sure that everyone who become president n have a good intention, will do their best, So let we see untill the end.. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Booriiing
written by artiko , September 11, 2008
I really don't care anymore with politics, SUCKS!!
Votes: +0
all political parties, parliament, goernment should only consider this every decision, movement and other activities concerning it's citizens will impacting their responsibilities not only to the citizens but also to the gods, even if they just 'burried'... So.. if you one of the parties involved or it's supporter, Watch out... God's never sleep.. too many indonesia people dies, now because they are suffer, hunger, because of what all this politician do.. May god help indonesia report abuse
vote down
vote up
Excuse me, are you affiliated with something or some party that Indonesians might recognize?
written by Anthony Ricardo , September 02, 2008
Dear Mr. Fabio Scarpello,
Votes: +3
I have to agree with Mr. Nugraha there... A page like this listed on google as sponsored link??? I was surprised to find out that this link clearly has political acclamations here and there...with Yudhoyono bashing as the main course... Now, now...we don't want any more political situations like what's happening to our dear brothers in Thailand do we..? I certainly do not!!! do you??? Do please refrain...Many thanks in advance... report abuse
vote down
vote up
black campaign?
written by nugraha , August 29, 2008
why did i suspect that? because this page is listed on google as sponsored link.. beside other links which are clearly business related...
Votes: +3
interesting  report abuse
vote down
vote up
fairness
written by nugraha , August 29, 2008
this article only tell the story from one side.. for a story at this level, a news with only IF IF IF sounds more like a political swing...
Votes: +0
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Good but Not Good Enough
written by Bambang Wiradiningrat , August 28, 2008
SBY is a very good man, but has no or little experience in politics. So far he has let other around him to taken taken profit, control and even backstabbed him in preparation for the next election. Many want to but cannot vote for him in the next election just for that reason.
Votes: +1
report abuse
vote down
vote up
...
written by M.M. Moniaga , August 23, 2008
Indonesia is such a big country and needs a very strong leadership to officiate the country.
Votes: +2
In his official capacity as RI-1 , Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a humane Army General(ret), has shown his effort to combat the enormity of corruption and crime against society though he has an unenvieble record of failures. No one is infallible.. report abuse
vote down
vote up
all your news is not true
written by yayat hendrayana , August 22, 2008
please be carefull with what you said...
Votes: +2
i think mr yudhoyono is a well and frankly man....but the media is always booming with bad and incorrect news...mr yudhoyono is one of the best national's leader right now.. but you just such a hypocrite man or media... the differs right now calls democratic...it is wrong...please be more on straight path if you made a news thank you yayat hendrayana report abuse
vote down
vote up
|
Indonesia’s
voters who swept President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono into office in
2004 as what they hoped as a clean and transparent leader, are
growing increasingly disenchanted with his ability to clean up the
country’s endemic corruption.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
Why is Beijing Afraid of Liu Xiaobo?Willy Lam Killing the chicken to scare the monkey may not work this time
Full Story |
| Other Articles |
Alice Poon
| Notes on a Taipei TripMonday, 14 December 2009 | Alice PoonThis past weekend I took a short trip to Taipei, a city that I had once visited over twenty years ago but which had left little imprint on me. This time though, I must say that I was awed by her... Full Story |
| Previous posts: |
John Elliott: Riding the Elephant
| From vultures in Delhi, to coups in Pakistan, a journalist's un-edited take on current events |
|
Donate to Asia Sentinel
Archive
- Why is Beijing Afraid of Liu Xiaobo?
- Dangerous Mix in the Himalayas
- Mahathir Returns Fire on Critical Book
- High Court denies plea of migrant Filipinos to join party list polls
- Massacre in Mindanao
- The Face-off Between India and China
- Mahathir Book Too Hot for Malaysian Authorities
- Sukhois crash India's defense
- Veteran Hong Kong Journalist, Once Jailed, Calls it Quits
- Southern Thailand's Intractable Problems