September 22, 2015 edition
Behind the Jakarta administration's stance in banning the rent of cars through the Uber app, there is a sense of unease that is difficult to conceal. This is because Jakarta has no satisfactory legal instrument to regulate the app businesswhich seems limitless. Even Law No. 11/2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions does not cover in detail the use of specific apps for businesses.
The Uber car ban that was pushed through has proven to be ineffective. Despite the threats of raids and confiscations, the business continues to operate. If data from Uber can be believed, in Jakarta alone there are around 6,000 cars using the apps. Even with the threat of raids, Uber drivers are still carrying passengers. At the same time, more and more conventional taxi customers are switching to Uber.
Read More
More Opinion articles in other editions
September 15, 2015 edition
Let's give the government 'A' for effort for its recent launching of the long-awaited economic policy package. Although generally regarded as a letdown by pessimists and despite the lackluster points that are already predicted to fail in kick-starting the economy, yet the package contains a few hopeful and interesting proposals.
Read More
September 8, 2015 edition
It is difficult to not compare the series of 'Bersih' (Clean) demonstrations demanding that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak step down with the situation in Indonesia back on May 1998. There has been no rioting, because the security forces and demonstrators have restrained themselves. But it is not impossible that Najib, like Suharto, will eventually have to bow to the demands of people power echoing in the main thoroughfares of Kuala Lumpur last week.
At first glance, this yellow-shirted movement is like those everywhere: evidence of a growing middle class political awareness. This particular awareness is marked by the rejection of the government's explanation about the mysterious funds in Najib's personal bank account, which is seen as 'an insult to common sense'.
Read More
September 1, 2015 edition
The flood of foreign unskilled workers brought in to work at a number of projects is truly ironic. With unemployment affecting some 7 million people-most of them unskilled laborers-the foreign workers are rightly being seen as taking the job opportunities of their local counterparts. The government should not have allowed this to happen.
Read More
August 25, 2015 edition
President Joko Widodo's cabinet reshuffle two weeks ago prompted a few questions. Among them, why weren't the non-performing ministers replaced? What was the President's reason for retaining ministers who held positions that did not match their competence and their academic backgrounds?
Another peculiarity about the reshufflewhich Jokowi calls a 'government consolidation'is the choice of controversial Rizal Ramli as coordinating minister for maritime affairs. That he made critical statements about government policy is not the issue but Rizal stand in opposite view of the also newly-appointed Economic Coordinating Minister Darmin Nasution.
Read More
August 11, 2015 edition
The somber situation facing the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) was evident when Kiai Haji Ahmad Mustofa Bisri refused to be selected as Rais Am or chairman, despite the blessing of the forum of nine elite kiai or Islamic scholars, known as ahlul halli wal aqdi, representing convention participants from all corners of the nation, last week. Gus Mus admitted he would not able to bear the burden of being the head of the NU.
Leading the largest Islamic mass organization in the nation is indeed an onerous task. The convention, marred by protests and sharp words from some of the participants, who nearly came to blows during discussions over the selection process, clearly showed how low NU conferences have become. The kiai elders sitting in the front row no longer seemed to be respected as they should be in a religious organization that holds them in high esteem.
Read More
August 4, 2015 edition