[Indonesia] Issues and Facts

[laba-laba]

Jakarta Urban

http://www.geocities.com/andi_lagi/Jakarta/jakartaurban1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/andi_lagi/Jakarta/jakartaurban2.jpg

sorry.. im speakless cos im sick rightnow..

[Fir3blaze]

Good to see not so many people coming to Jakarta and look for work this year...


Take care laba laba

[tata]

I'm a proud Indonesian, but everytime I read this kind of news I feel shame. Don't understand why sometime our government's so F*CK*NG stupid!!! (Sorry for the word, I'm pissed off!).

For me it doesn't matter from where the money comes. Even it is the correctly-earned money, think this way, How many hospital, schools can be built with US$8 million ???

Today I read Swiss newspaper Le Matin who critized Indonesian government about this villa. For your information, this villa is located in the most expensive area in Geneva! Aren't they crazy or what. MORON!

Susilo questioned over Geneva villa controversy

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Wellington

Controversy over the US$8 million villa bought by the government in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Indonesian permanent representative to the United Nations marked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to New Zealand on Thursday.

The President expressed his concern about the fuss, when an Indonesian citizen living in New Zealand requested Susilo's clarification of circulating reports that the government had bought the house using humanitarian aid for tsunami victims in Aceh.

The Indonesian national, Riyadi Soebagyo, said he was disappointed with the government's decision to "live in luxury at an expense of people's suffering."

"I have read this report in the media and I'm disappointed. Could you please clarify this Mr. President?" Riyadi asked Susilo during a dialog between the visiting President and the Indonesian community here.

Susilo said he would take stern action if he had found that the money to buy the house came from the humanitarian aid for Aceh. He, however, said there needed to be clear evidence of wrongdoing before he would act.

"If there is sufficient evidence, I will deal with the person responsible. But if there is no proof, we should question the reports," Susilo said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda insisted the villa was not bought using the tsunami aid because it had been purchased in October last year before the December tsunami.

"The villa was not purchased using the financial aid and we completed the deal in October," Hassan said.

Minister of Finance Jusuf Anwar said his office had never disbursed any humanitarian aid extended by donor countries and agencies to buy a house.

Susilo said he would soon issue a new regulation governing the procedures to procure goods and services for the state. The regulation would prevent officials from marking up prices or attempting fictitious procurements.

"I will soon instruct all government audit agencies and supervisory bodies to embark on an audit of all asset procurements for the state since there are indications of abuse," Susilo said.

The audit would be conducted in all ministerial offices, government institutions and state enterprises, he said.

[Yamauchi]

It made me sick, too. No diplomat needs an $8 million house in Geneva. It's not just Indonesians that are shocked; the original Swiss newspaper looked at the purchase negatively. I don't care if it is tsunami aid or the regular federal budget, the only instance I can see with any justification would be a personal purchase by the diplomat himself.

[Alvin]

it's outrageous! the government should really get rid of these corrupt mentalities in their bureaucracy. I would love to see him punished for this.

[sanhen]

From which party is he?
I will decrease my view for this party.

[David-80]

This is no surprise to me, When you take a look at how expensive are many of the indonesian embassy building in the world, especially in the europe and north america.

Its been like this on and on....

cheers

[Ara]

An $8 million house in Geneva is not that outreagous. You have to remember, Geneva is one of the most expensive city to live in. Right now, they are renting out the ambassador residence. From personal experience, renting in Geneva is bloody expensive. I would say that they are spending far more then $8 million over the year for rental. This will cut the cost in the long run. The timing is bad, however, they had plan to purchase this property way before the tsunami.

[Fir3blaze]

AFAIK, the sale was done a month before the tsunami strike.

I agree with Ara. While $8 million may sound a lot, but this will be property of the state, not spent on some one time occasion. It would be much better than rent in the long run.

[Yamauchi]

As I said, I am not really concerned with when it was done or with what money it was done unless it was an individual purchase. The point is that even to the Swiss media there was interest in the purchase because of how extravagant the property was, and it's well outside of the city of Geneva proper.

[Medan01]

I totally agree with Yamauchi. It is not the timing - it is the price tag itself. I understand Geneva is expensive, but I am sure there must be a property in a price range of 2 - 3 million instead of 8 million in one of the most pricey part of Geneva.

BTW, is this a villa?

[Yamauchi]

Anyway, I want to clarify that I am not wishing to argue. I'm just voicing my opinion on the matter. It seems a bit much for a residential purchase that serves no diplomatic purpose. I saw a picture of it somewhere and it looks like a villa to me.

[tata]

Yes it is a villa baptised as 'Le Mas' in a commune called Collonge-Bellerive, just a little outside Geneva city direction to Thonon.
It has a big swimming pool in front of its veranda and with land more 1 hectare. Price: 9,600,000 CHF.

So yes guys, if the ambasador of UN needs a house, buy a normal house in Geneva which ranges between 2-5 million Swiss Franc. BUT a villa with 10,143m2 of total land? Do we really need it? What are they going to do with it?

I'm completely lost and halusinated with all of this. Mad and sad.

Note: all figures above taken from newspaper Le Matin.

[Fir3blaze]

Okay, it is lavish and we can do with a little modesty. But the property will still belong to the state in the long run. If we need some cash, we may sell it in the future, right?

From tata's quoted report, it seems that the price is not inflated (9.9 M CHF for 10,143 m2 of land) which is good, meaning that at least the money is not pocketed by certain individuals. I'm glad enough to see this fact.

Personally, I don't mind our country spending large sums of money buying assets overseas. It would be a different matter if Indonesian ambassadors spend the same amount of money to party each year. That would be a waste of money.

PS: Hey tata, I never realized that you're in Geneva! :D no wonder you're so well informed about this. Btw, I will be going to Swiss in a month time. Wanna give our UN ambassador a visit? lol, just kidding.

[David-80]

Is this our UN ambassador that is also Human Right Chairman?

cheers

[tata]

PS: Hey tata, I never realized that you're in Geneva! :D no wonder you're so well informed about this. Btw, I will be going to Swiss in a month time. Wanna give our UN ambassador a visit? lol, just kidding.

tell me if you'll be in Geneva, we should meet up man!

[ncon]

since it is about facts,

DO YOU KNOW THAT 'ASEAN' HEADQUATER/OFFICE LOCATED IN JAKARTA?

[tata]

since it is about facts,

DO YOU KNOW THAT 'ASEAN' HEADQUATER/OFFICE LOCATED IN JAKARTA?

yes. that's not far from Blok M. We call it 'perapatan CSW'

[Fir3blaze]

tell me if you'll be in Geneva, we should meet up man!

Sure! :) I will be in St Gallen, but I do hope to travel to other parts of swiss (e.g Geneva