Business in the Fast Lane

Vice President Jusuf Kalla is entangled in a dilemma over the import of 12 used helicopters. Customs is threatening to confiscate the German-made choppers if their tariff duties are not paid in full. Why did President Yudhoyono issue a secret memo about this?

March 27, 2007

LETTERS bearing the presidential letterhead reached Finance Minister Sri Mulyani and Transportation Minister Hatta Rajasa on December 7, 2006. At the bottom was a note saying that a carbon copy was being sent to Vice President Jusuf Kalla. With the word “memorandum” written at the top, numbered R-001, it was confidential in nature. It was sent by the Republic’s top official: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The memo to the two minister

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