Book on Political Sins of Yudhoyono Launched
VIVAnews - Boni Hargens, lecturer at Social and Political Science Faculty of University of Indonesia, launched his book entitled "Political Sins Trilogy: Understanding Political Sins of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla Administration and Betrayal of the Intellectuals." Such political analysts as AS Hikam and Rizal Ramli were invited to the book launching.
Commenting the book, AS Hikam said that there are many paradoxes of democracy in the Yudhoyono administration. "Democracy is seen as the loss of certainties," said Hikam during a speech in the book launching on Monday, Dec 22.
However, Hikam, former politician of the National Awakening Party, demanded that the book author offers solutions over problems that the government is dealing with.
Meanwhile, Rizal Ramli evaluated that the government has not yet seriously eradicated corruption. The indicator of succesful corruption eradication, said Rizal, is not simply concerned with the number of arrested corruptors. "The proof is that until now, budget leakage is still everywhere in central and regional government," said Ramli.
Ramli spoke about economic bubble phenomenon as well. The government is more into statistics and campaigns showing achievement, which are contradictory to the facts. Rizal denied estimation the World Bank made, saying that the Indonesian economy is on the track. "In fact, the Indonesian economy is out of track," he said.
The Yudhoyono administration has triggered people to stand in queues and unemployment rate to increase. According to Ramli, the Yudhoyono-Kalla administration has broken many promises such as failure in building 1,000 megawatt power plants.
Independent presidential candidate Fadjroel Rachman said that Yudhoyono-Kalla administration is part of Soeharto regime. "Yudhoyono-Kalla administration will be the last follower of the Soharto regime and 2009 will be the last year for leaders who are loyal to Soeharto," he said.
Boni Hargens said that Indonesia is trapped in the politics of popularity. It leads people to choose the most popular candidate. Hargens then offers declaration of Political Block Against Failed Politicians, which views that the elites ruling after 1998 have totaly failed. "It is the importance of new leaders through alternative candidates," he said.
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono
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