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Edition 03 December 2019
Cover Story
No Sanction for Army Doctor
President Joko Widodo appointed Terawan Agus Putranto as health minister although a decision was once made to suspend his medical license as an ethical sanction. Terawan is believed to have violated a number of points in the Indonesian Medical Code of Ethics in connection with the practice of intra-arterial heparin flushing, known as ‘brain wash’. A team formed by the health ministry recommended for the practice to be put to an end. But the ‘brain wash’ procedure has continued until today. Terawan’s ethical sanctions, such as the suspensions of his Indonesian Doctors Association membership and medical license, were never implemented. Tempo and Tirto.id collaborated to study irregularities in Terawan’s method and dissertation.
Cover Story
Human Trials Missing
Terawan Agus Putranto’s dissertation is suspected to contain numerous irregularities, including manipulated references. There is belief that his method does not meet the clinical criteria for stroke treatment.
Cover Story
An Early Wither
Terawan Agus Putranto’s ‘brain wash’ method is not always successful. There is the placebo effect to consider.
Cover Story
Profiting from Word-of-Mouth
The ‘brain wash’ therapy developed by Terawan attracts foreign patients. The procedure makes up RSPAD’s largest income.
National
Criticism against 11 Ministers’ Rule
THE government issued a joint decree by 11 ministers on addressing the issue of radicalism among state civil apparatus (ASN).
Economy
Broken Wings
Sriwijaya Air’s service becomes increasingly limited as it withdraws from partnership with Garuda Group. Various efforts to save its operations are being explored together with foreign airlines.
Economy
State’s Petrochemical Refinery
Pertamina has officially taken control of Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama’s parent company. The cabinet was swift in carrying out the President’s orders.
Economy
TPPI’s Integration Mission
Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama’s (TPPI) aromatic refinery in Tuban, East Java, will be resuscitated. Pertamina plans to rebuild it into an integrated petrochemicals factory after controlling the majority shares of TPPI’s parent company Tuban Petrochemical Industries (TPI).
Law
Law
There Was No Discussion on the Meikarta Permit Bribe
Law
Licensing Bribe’s Trail
The KPK detained former Lippo Cikarang CEO, Bartholomeus Toto, who is suspected to be the man behind the bribery in the Meikarta project. It is suspected a higher Lippo Group official is involved in the case.
Literature
An Honor for an Old Javanese Literature Expert
The National Library and the Archipelagic Manuscripts Society invited Stuart Owen Robson to Malang. He and Peter Josephus Zoetmulder compiled the monumental work of the Old Javanese to English dictionary.
Outreach
Building Human Rights Friendly Regions
A number of regional administrations are striving hard to make human rights the basis of their policies. They shared the ups and downs of their experiences at the 2019 Human Rights Festival, November 19-21.
Obituari
Ciputra’s Love Affair with the Arts
Ciputra’s love affair with the fine arts was undying. He was a master in creating beautiful housing estates.
Photo
Stick Figure
Letters
The Labuan Bajo Authority Board Controversy
THE presence of the Tourism Authority Board of Labuan Bajo Flores (BOP-LBF) within the framework of accelerating tourism development in the region has triggered controversy.
Opinion
A Ministerial Therapy
Despite being just appointed minister of health, Lieut. Gen. (ret) Dr. dr. Terawan Agus Putranto should not be let off the hook from being sanctioned for violation of ethics, as ordained by the Indonesian Honorary Board for Medical Ethics. The professional opinion of medical experts should not be shunted aside using power tactics.
Opinion
Avoiding Hypocrisy
The government issued a joint decision letter to anticipate radicalism among civil servants. Possibility of a backfire is rampant.
Opinion
Who Gave the Order
The KPK should investigate those who gave orders for the bribe to be paid to a number of Bekasi Regency officials. A permit system without corruption is needed.
Opinion
Shaking up the Petrochemicals
Pertamina finally took over ownership of Trans-Pacific Petrochemical Indotama. The corruption by the previous owner is a debt that must be repaid.