Jan 26

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 01/26/2008 2:39 AM Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, Former governor of National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), Jakarta State Minister of National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie has surprised many people when he strongly suggested that Indonesia should terminate its relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the end of 2002. In fact, this is not the first time that Kwik has expressed his dissatisfaction with the IMF. But that he did it as a member of President Megawati Soekarnoputri’s Cabinet, is something that causes surprise. Because it is public knowledge that Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, the current coordinating minister for economic affairs, is a staunch defender of Indonesia’s relations with the IMF. In Indonesia Kwik is not alone in his negative opinion of the IMF. Rizal Ramli, who served as coordinating minister for economic affairs and minister of finance in former president Abdurrahman Wahid’s cabinet, shares this view. And so are other economists, many of read more .....

Jan 26

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 01/26/2008 2:38 AM Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, Former Governor, Nation Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), Jakarta Indonesia is now mixed up in a quarrel with some neighbors. First is the deterioration in relations with Malaysia caused by the problem of illegal Indonesian workers in that country. Now another problem has come up because of the Singaporean foreign minister’s demand of extradition from Indonesia of persons accused of terrorism. The problem with Malaysia would not have happened if some very important Indonesian officials did not make angry comments that triggered no less angry comments by Malaysian officials. The media, especially television, also contributed to the bad atmosphere when thousands of Indonesians watched how the unlucky workers and their families were expelled from Malaysia and had many difficulties to get a place on a ship to go home. Plus their sorrows after they arrived in Indonesia. Obviously, many Indonesians reacted emotionally in regard to the tragedy faced by the read more .....

Jan 26

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 01/26/2008 2:02 AM Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, Former Governor, National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), Jakarta A recent visit by the National Education Council to China provided great insight into China’s educational system. As a member of the council, I had the opportunity to participate in the visit. Only Beijing and Shanghai were visited in the six-day program. As the nation’s capital and center of government, Beijing offered an overall view of education in China, while in Shanghai we observed educational activities in the nation’s largest trading city. Since reforms were initiated by Deng Xiaoping in 1979, China has displayed an awareness of its capability to play a significant role in international relations today. It realizes that its future will very much be decided by the quality of its human resources. China adopted the Open Policy to safeguard its standing in the international community. And that attitude is clearly demonstrated in its education system. A good example read more .....