November 11, 2014 edition

HAVING had to change jobs from being CEO of the state-owned railway company KIA, to transportation minister in the newly-formed cabinet of President Joko Widodo, Ignasius Jonan describes his new responsibilities through an interesting analogy. Whereas his worldview used to be from a train, for the next five years, he must view everything from a helicopter. "Each area has its own specific problem but the four dimensions of my new responsibilityland, sea, air and railwaymust get equal attention," said Jonan.
True to his word, for the required photo session, he refused to pose in front of anything that had the logo of a transportation company, not even with those depicting Indonesia's marine resources, so much flouted by the president as the country's new source of future prosperity. "Just take normal pictures," said Jonan leaning on a massive desk, adding that "I work in the dining pantry because this desk is too big."

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More Interview articles in other editions

November 4, 2014 edition

IN the new Indonesian cabinet, energy and mineral resources are classified as a 'hot' yet powerful sector. One example is the government's plan to raise fuel prices, an issue which is about to reach boiling point. It was in this state of affairs Sudirman Said found himself last week, when he began his job as Indonesia's minister of energy and mineral resources. Understandably, the 51-year-old Sudirman immediately set out to adopt a cautionary approach. During this interview with Tempo, he distanced himself from the fuel price issue. "Let's give the question of fuel price a pass," he said, adding that it would just unsettle the public. "Most importantly, Pertamina is ready and a team has been formed [to handle this]."
In the days ahead, Sudirman's work in managing the energy sector is bound to multiply, particularly in stamping out corruption and the 'mafia'. He feels, however, that exposing syndicates involved in energy-related criminal activities is not part of his job description. "That's not the task of the minister, but the law enforcers," Sudirman stressed. Not so long ago, his predecessor, Jero Wacik, was indicted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

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January 1, 1970 edition

MUHAMMAD Yusuf fidgeted in his chair then crossed his legs. He was quiet for a while, seemingly seeking the right answer to a question. "Basically, the 42 ministerial candidates whose backgrounds we looked into generally carried out normal banking transactions. Only a few were problematic," said Yusuf, director of the Financial Transactions Reporting and Analysis Center (PPATK), on the results of the background check on the ministerial candidates he submitted to President Joko Widodo.
He looked at his watch, and at his cellphone close by, in case there were new developments on the much-awaited announcement of the presidential cabinet. "Here's a text message from the prosecutors in Papua, saying they will support me if I'm named attorney general," he said, showing the cellphone screen to Tempo.

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January 1, 1970 edition

ZULKIFLI Hasan slammed the newspaper on his desk. He stood up and pointed to the newspaper bearing the headline, Zulkifli Hasan Curi suara DPD (Zulkifli Hasan Steals DPD Vote). "How dare they use the word 'steal'!" he exclaimed. Trying to calm himself, he added, "Ah, never mind. It's alright. I don't want to make it more explosive."
As the newly appointed speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), he said his main objective was to create a peaceful environment prior to the upcoming October 20 presidential inauguration. He promised to communicate with all parties concerned to ensure everything goes smoothly. "I will meet with Pak Jokowi and Pak SBY," said the former forestry minister.

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January 1, 1970 edition

SUDIRMAN Said's career path has gone through a variety of changes. He has worked as anti-corruption activist, disaster area construction worker and oil and gas executive. His latest profession, however, has nothing to do with his previous experiences. He now produces arms and ammunition. In June, he was appointed CEO of Pindad, a state-owned company manufacturing weapons and related items that was on the verge of collapse.
Pindad employs some 3,000 employees, but it gets just a fraction of its arms budget from the Defense Ministry. Its share of the export market is equally dismal. "Exports represent less than 10 percent of our market," said Sudirman.

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January 1, 1970 edition

WEDNESDAY last week was a happy day for Indonesia's Armed Forces (TNI) chief commander, Moeldoko, who celebrated 29 years of his marriage to Koesni Harningsih. The front porch of his home in Central Jakarta was full of congratulatory floral wreaths and bouquets.
Inside, the happy couple sat across a table on which the ceremonial, conical rice dish was placed. Moeldoko, clad in his four-star army uniform, sitting next to his wife Koesni, recalled how they first met. "There wasn't much of a courtship. We met, I proposed and she said yes," joked Moeldoko.

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September 23, 2014 edition

STROKING his beard and looking pensive, Abraham said, in a low voice, "Some untouchable people will be arrested." The chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) added, "Be patient, we will reveal all."
Abraham and his team have indeed exposed many people involved in corruption cases, among them a big-time businessman, a police general and the most recent one, the former energy and mineral resources minister, Jero Wacik. But this doesn't seem to be enough. Public pressure is on Abraham to solve other big cases, like Bank Century and Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) funds. At one time, he did promise to solve both those cases.

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