Indonesia & Corruption: a few articles in the past few weeks

[snpark]

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[pantaiema]

Another high profile corruption news involve high-ranking officials, the Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights the top echelons who supposed to enforce the law and anti-corruption measures. Instead of combating corruption as intended, these individuals have become central figures in corrupt practices, particularly involving gratification.

The present government has pursued cases like these more extensively than the combined efforts of all six preceding administrations. Prosecuting bringing them to justice such powerful individuals requires the person himself needs an exceptionally clean and meticulous approach.

Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Eddy Hiariej Officially Becomes Suspect in Gratification

Becoming a Corruption Suspect, Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Resigns

Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Eddy Hiariej Allegedly Pocketed IDR 8 Billion from the Former Boss of PT CLM

 

[serious_fun]

I loved this one:

Authorities Find 260 Stolen Vehicles at Army Facility in Sidoarjo

A joint investigation by the police and the military uncovered a vehicle theft ring involving active soldiers and discovered at least 260 stolen cars and motorcycles kept at a storage facility of the Army in the East Java town of Sidoarjo.

BUT... the classic example of corruption:

Over 50 KPK Employees Accused of Accepting Bribes from Detainees

...more than 50 employees of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) are alleged to have accepted bribes from suspects detained at the commission’s facility.

 

[harryopal1]

I loved this one:

Authorities Find 260 Stolen Vehicles at Army Facility in Sidoarjo




BUT... the classic example of corruption:

Over 50 KPK Employees Accused of Accepting Bribes from Detainees

When the TNI makes an offer perhaps, like the Mafia, an offer you cannot refuse.

Perhaps I missed it, what has former Defence Minister Prabowo had to say

 

[snpark]

 

[serious_fun]

Perhaps I missed it, what has former Defense Minister Prabowo had to say

As far as I can tell the very well-connected man hasn't made any statements about the incident...as he hasn't made any comments about the beatings and death of opposition campaign worker(s). Not leadership material, IMHO, but it's probably good politics to pretend that nothing happened.

Some of the Ganjar-Mahfud election posters mention corruption and nepotism... that alone may reason for a good beating.

 

[serious_fun]

2023 Corruption Perceptions Index

 

[pantaiema]

Indonesia Seeks to Deal With Dual Scandals

Indonesia Seeks to Deal With Dual Scandals "The Indonesian government, which has long been accused of looking the other way at major corruption allegations, suddenly has two major cases on its hands..." :coffee::whistle:

www.expatindo.org

Another significant instance of corruption involves 'PT Timah,' a state-owned enterprise responsible for exploiting Indonesia's tin resources, on its own Thread.

Ideally, this enterprise should generate revenue and foreign exchange to benefit the Indonesian people. Despite Indonesia ranking second only to China in terms of tin reserves, comprising 16% of the world's total, state-owned enterprises like PT Timah fail to fulfil this role. Instead of contributing revenue, they become a liability, incurring losses totalling IDR 271 trillion, which includes environmental damage.
This phenomenon defies common sense, particularly for those who are unfamiliar with the scale of corruption in Indonesia.

 

[pantaiema]

In the PT Timah corruption investigation, Harvey Moeis, Helena Lim are just considered as small fishes. The suspected whale as the main beneficiary is Robert Priantono Bonosusatya. Robert Bonosusatya has strong ties with several Police Generals. The people like this might think Indonesia's mineral resources as an inheritance from their ancestors ('engkong').
Interestingly, despite his involvement, he is currently being investigated only as a witness.

Profil Robert Bonosusatya, Terseret Kasus Timah Suami Sandra Dewi

Komisi VI DPR menyebut ada sosok 'mafia besar' di balik kasus korupsi tata niaga timah di PT Timah Tbk. (TINS).

www.cnbcindonesia.com

 

[Samoerai]

Talking about corruption, blaming & shaming ... what about the international operating companies, like SB and FF, etc?

I just realized this ... tell me if I am wrong.

A membership at FF in Indonesia costs about 50 dollars per month. I was shocked!

The membership price of FF in The Netherlands (and I guess in UK, Germany and France also) also is about 50 euro per month. But the operation costs (like wages, electricity, cleaning costs) are much, much lower in Indonesia than in The Netherlands. A fitness club, like FF, needs a minimum of 3000 members to survive or be successful. So, the turnover must be 3000 x 50 euros = 150,000 euros per month. Anual turnover must be around 1,800,000 euros. I guess this is what the turnover is (or must be) in Indonesia too. However, regarding the lower operation costs in Indonesia, the profits (for the owner in Indonesia) is much, much, much higher here than in The Netherlands (or a similar country in Europe).

Same calculation applies to SB too. In The Netherlands I never, never go to SB. First of all the coffee is really bad, just brown water. Second, the price for the Coffee is around 3,50 euro. Way too high for this brown water. Shocking that -the other day when I ordered a Coffee in SB in Jakarta- (kebetulan saya di sana), the price is also 3,50 euro. Meaning, regarding the low operational costs in Indonesia (wages and such), the owner makes a shit load of money!

Note: these companies are operating in Indonesia not just to lower the costs of their product (e.g. shoes, clothes, cars, ..). Not all all, just to make money (if they do not lower their prices to the level it should be in Indonesia, like bioskop XXII).

Not mentioning the tax avoiding constructions these international companies are using to not pay tax (on their profits): https://www.bbc.com/news/business-35943740. Because there is only one motto for the rich and powerful: "paying tax is for dumb people".

I am just telling this that, if one wants to point fingers and put people on the list of blaming and shaming. That list should also include the international companies, like forementioned ones, operating in Indonesia. Those companies could easily raise the wages of employees, to make a first start to get out of the "stuck in the middle-economy".

But yeah, tell me if I am wrong.

 

[snpark]

Supply and demand
People willing to pay 60-100rb for their Starbucks fix daily then end of month cry they are bankrupt
2jt a month on coffee

So if everyone boycotts and stops going, maybe they reduce the price?

And FatnessFirst the scam is cancelling. You can't. Have to pay a full year first THEN 1 month cancellation on top
And still they email and text every few weeks to rejoin.

 

[snpark]

Companies are there to maximize their profits. Don't like the price? Then don't go. They will soon drop the price

Like that fancy croissant place in MBS like $10 for a simple croissant and 3 hour queues when it open?
Now deserted. Like that burger place also (shake shack?). Trends pass

Even the cool KFC in senopati closed naughty bu nature that did grilled chicken and salads etc. It was excellent. But mahal.
When McD's does ayam nasi and drink for 20rb who will pay 50rb just for one piece of chick or 100+ for chicken and 2 sides.

 

[snpark]

Cédric Grolet S'pore explains price increase less than 3 months after opening

It affects two items on the menu.

mothership.sg

 

[snpark]

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g294265-d26529493-r937758046-Cedric_Grolet_Singapore-Singapore.html

 

[snpark]

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g294265-d26529493-r937758046-Cedric_Grolet_Singapore-Singapore.html

 

[snpark]

TikTok - Make Your Day

www.tiktok.com

 

[Samoerai]

TikTok - Make Your Day

www.tiktok.com

Pain aux chocolat .. 11 singapore dollars (7,50 euro/130.000 rupiah)
But, people in Singapore are smart not to buy these overpriced bakery stuff.

Here in Indonesia? Not so smart. They still want to be seen paying 3,50 euro for brown water.

In The Netherlands SB is having a difficult time just starting and opening branches. The coffee is not good enough. Dutch people have acquired a high quality taste for coffee since Indonesia being a Dutch colony and importing coffee.

So, very strange that Indonesians being a coffee bean country want to drink brown water for coffee.

Point however of my post is. These companies should be on the list for blaming and shaming for their outrageous high profits and low wages for their employees.

 

[Balifrog]

Point however of my post is. These companies should be on the list for blaming and shaming for their outrageous high profits and low wages for their employees.

Then, you should boycott Apple also
And Nike, Adidas, ......the list is long.

Everybody tries to keep the cost of goods low and sales prices as high as acceptable by the market.
It's a business not a charity !

 

[Samoerai]

Then, you should boycott Apple also
And Nike, Adidas, ......the list is long.

Everybody tries to keep the cost of goods low and sales prices as high as acceptable by the market.
It's a business not a charity !

Of course I know that. Read my post #90 again. Not talking about companies trying to lower product prices (e.g clothes, shoes, cars) and exporting these.

The companies I'm talking about are companies with products and services intended only for the Indonesian market, who exploit cheap labor but insist on an absurdly high price just to make high profits. On the other hand, bioskop XXI is a service, but the tickets (50,000 - 100,000 rupiah) are suitable for the Indonesian market. Why can't FF do this?

And on top of the high profits, I would not be surprised that non of them pay tax in Indonesia. All of them might have tax avoiding constructions with shell companies in Jersey, Bahamas or even Holland.

Also not talking about how disruptive these companies are for the local market: local competitive companies. Also FF and SB are not bringing in any technology or knowlegde to the local industry. Exploiting cheap labor only. They do nothing for the Indonesian economy, in my opinion.

 

[Shadrach]

Pain aux chocolat .. 11 singapore dollars (7,50 euro/130.000 rupiah)
But, people in Singapore are smart not to buy these overpriced bakery stuff.

Here in Indonesia? Not so smart. They still want to be seen paying 3,50 euro for brown water.

In The Netherlands SB is having a difficult time just starting and opening branches. The coffee is not good enough. Dutch people have acquired a high quality taste for coffee since Indonesia being a Dutch colony and importing coffee.

So, very strange that Indonesians being a coffee bean country want to drink brown water for coffee.

Point however of my post is. These companies should be on the list for blaming and shaming for their outrageous high profits and low wages for their employees.

Excellent point about the quality of foods available here. Some of the coffee is done well, it depends on if it has been cut with roasted corn or not. I like the Coffee from Sumatra. There is some tasty Bali coffee also. I want to try some Tanatoraja coffee sometime.
I also don't understand, why they don't use chocolate in their cooking like the Mexican people do with mole! And what about ceviche, and guacamole? Cilantro? Limes? It seems to me it would be only natural to have these in the diet also. I sure would like it! From what I've seen, Indonesian food is some of the most boring food in the world! Maybe it's just Bali, I don't know.