August 26, 2014 edition
DURING President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration, gasoline prices have risen four times and dropped once. Changes in the policy have always drawn widespread criticism because the issue touches the heart of Indonesia's economy. Last time around, to compensate for raising the price of oil-based fuel (OBF), the government distributed a monthly Rp150,000 to every poor household.
Now the government has moved to trim the subsidy by decreasing consumption, because raising prices are feared to carry a risk of bringing about social unrest. Since the enactment of the policy in July, no Premium gasoline can be bought at gas stations on toll roads. In Central Jakarta, stations are forbidden to sell subsidized diesel fuel.
Read More
More Indicator articles in other editions
August 19, 2014 edition
An Indonesian recruitment call for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) went up on YouTube on July 22. The video was titled Join the Ranks and was conducted by a man calling himself Abu Muhammad al-Indonesi. This man, whose real name has been revealed to be Bachrumsyah, made a public speech about jihad and ISIS's struggle to become a world state. In June, the group, which has since changed its name to the Islamic State (IS), also released a video exhorting Australians, Germans and Canadians to join up.
Indonesian terror convict Abu Bakar Ba'asyir has stated his own support for IS, a group of rebels that has declared a new government in Iraq and Syria. Ba'asyir's involvement was shown by photos circulating on social media of him with 13 men unfolding the IS flag. Later, in various parts of Indonesia including Malang, Solo and Bima, IS supporters took oaths of loyalty to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Read More
August 12, 2014 edition
IN the news last month were revelations that police and military had overseen the systematic exploitation of Indonesian migrant workers passing through Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) blew the scandal wide open when it made a sudden inspection at the airport's Terminal 4, which is under the jurisdiction of the National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers (BNP2TKI). Two policemen and a soldier were among those arrested.
Up to 1,000 migrant workers pass through the terminal each day, and a variety of methods have been used to take advantage of them. According to Tempo's investigation, they could be forced to exchange money, buy cell-phone credit or luggage carrier services or procure documentation or a ride home at exorbitant rates.
Read More
August 5, 2014 edition
EVERY year the Public Works Ministry flushes away Rp1.2 trillion to fix the roads along Java's north coast, familiarly known as pantura. During the weeks before Idul Fitri at the end of Ramadan, when masses of people flock from the cities to their home villages, the 1,341 kilometers of road are usually repaired in a hurry.
Four years ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) discovered indications of 'feasting' by unscrupulous officials on pantura repair projects. KPK deputy chief Busyro Muqoddas said the KPK was investigating allegations concerning the 2010-2011 repairs. For example, the antigraft agency discovered that the names of several roads that had been rehabilitated were not listed at the Public Works office. Those projects were thus "prone to fraud," he said.
Read More
January 1, 1970 edition
OF the 38 survey and quick count pollsters registered with the General Elections Commission (KPU) ahead of the recent presidential election, Radio Republic Indonesia Public Broadcast Board (LPP RRI) Research and Educational Development and Training Center is one that has come under intense scrutiny. RRI's quick count on the day of the election, July 9, showed that Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla had received 52.21 percent of the vote, while the ticket's only opponents, Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa, had taken 47.49 percent.
Ramadhan Pohan, deputy chairman of House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission I, which oversees defense, foreign affairs and communication, believes RRI should not broadcast quick count results. "RRI's funding is a source of suspicion because it comes from the State Budget (APBN)," he said.
Read More
January 1, 1970 edition
Long before the presidential election President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned both presidential candidates, Prabowo Subianto and Joko Widodo, to be ready for winning or losing. This advice was given in May and was repeated four days before the July 9 vote.
"The winner should not be arrogant and the loser should not run amok," the president said in a video titled 'President SBY's Message to Jokowi and Prabowo', uploaded to YouTube on July 5. The 14-minute message was not without reason. Yudhoyono is concerned over the possibility of riots since both candidates' electability are equally strong.
Read More
July 15, 2014 edition