Kamis, 29 Januari 2009 | 13:41 WIB (www.kompas.com)
BEIJING, KAMIS — China telah memerintahkan para pejabatnya mengurangi mobil mahal dan perjalanan ke luar negeri pada tahun ini. Beijing kini sedang berusaha untuk mengatasi dampak krisis keuangan global. Hal ini dikatakan media pemerintah, Kamis (29/1).
Para pejabat juga harus berhati-hati tidak membelanjakan terlalu banyak untuk pertemuan dan resepsi, kantor berita Xinhua melaporkan dengan mengutip sumber tanpa nama di kementerian keuangan. Sementara itu, pemerintah akan memperkuat pengawasannya terhadap penggunaan uang publik dan memberantas korupsi.
Menteri Keuangan Xie Xuren mengingatkan, Senin, bahwa perekonomian menghadapi kondisi yang "sangat berat" pada tahun ini dan mengindikasikan anggaran pemerintah akan ketat karena pajak akan dipangkas untuk mengatasi penurunan perekonomian.
Pidato Menteri Keuangan itu merupakan sinyal terbaru dari kekhawatiran pejabat terhadap keadaan keuangan dan perekonomian negara ketika sejumlah masalah yang diakibatkan krisis global terus menghantam perekonomian China yang bergantung pada ekspor.
Beijing pada November mengumumkan paket stimulus 590 miliar dollar AS untuk mendorong permintaan domestik.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Pejabat China Dilarang Jalan-jalan
Editorial: Politicizing economic issues
The Jakarta Post | Thu, 01/29/2009 10:05 AM | Opinion
With parliamentary and presidential elections coming up in April and July respectively, we find it increasingly difficult to ascertain whether politicians or officials, when commenting on economic issues, are making fair observations or are simply campaigning for their parties.
It is understandable if officials of the incumbent government focus their public commentaries on the positive aspects of the economy, while politicians of the opposition parties tend to be extremely critical in their assessment.
Look, for example, how President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono went all out to exploit the government-mandated fuel price cuts over the past three months for his political grandstanding, as if claiming credit for what should have been attributed to the economic downturn in developed economies.
There is nothing wrong, nor illegal, in the official emphasis on the positive multiplier of the fuel-price decrease and other positive indicators of the economy. It is also politically understandable if opposition parties emphasize the shortcomings of the incumbent government, citing the high unemployment and poverty rates.
It would, though, be damaging to the market confidence in our economic management and the credibility of government policies if inordinately optimistic forecasts by officials and members of the President’s political camp meant mainly for election grandstanding were seriously considered in policy making.
Likewise, an irrationally adversary stance on the part of the opposition parties in parliament against any law or reform proposals from the government could adversely affect our macroeconomic stability, especially now when firm and quick decisions are required to cope with the fallout from the recession in the world’s economic powerhouses.
True, our economic resilience and institutions are now much stronger than during the 1997-1998 economic and political crisis, and our dependence on exports is not as large as many other countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
But the blunt fact is our economy is suffering from the brunt of the sharp downturn in the developed countries and major emerging economies. The government can still be highly optimistic, expecting 4.5-5.5 percent economic growth this year, as against 2.75-4 percent predicted by independent analysts. But it is much better to err on the conservative side than on highly optimistic forecasts because the adjustments needed to cope with the impact of the latter error are more painful for the common people.
This is, we think, the main challenge for Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who is in charge of fiscal management, and Bank Indonesia Governor Boediono as the chief of the monetary management.
Since both officials do not belong to any political parties, their integrity, competence and leadership become the key to maintaining the credibility of government policies. As the leaders of the economic management they should have the courage to stand up against any demand even from the President for economic measures which seem beneficial in the short term but damaging in the long term.
The first test case will be the sorely needed amendments to the 2009 state budget. The budget revision should reflect a consistently high fiscal discipline, despite the big pump priming to cushion the impact of the global economic downturn.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Govt unveils final stimulus plan to boost economy
Aditya Suharmoko, , THE JAKARTA POST , JAKARTA | Wed, 01/28/2009 8:45 AM | Headlines
After giving conflicting figures, the government has finally set the stimulus at Rp 71.3 trillion (US$6.31 billion) to boost the economy amid the threat of crisis.
The package will include the Rp 27.5 trillion stimulus previously announced, and is higher than the figure of Rp 50 trillion touted by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The new stimulus revolves around tax savings worth Rp 43 trillion, waived taxes and import duties for businesses and certain households, worth Rp 13.3 trillion, as well as subsidies and govern-ment spending of Rp 15 trillion for businesses.
Speaking before the House of Representatives' Commission XI, which oversees financial affairs, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the stimulus was aimed at increasing people's purchasing power, the competitiveness and sturdiness of businesses facing the economic downturn, and labor-intensive infrastructure spending.
Mulyani said the stimulus "is everything that cuts costs borne by businesses and the people", when asked why the stimulus was not fully designed to support businesses.
The incentives include paying the income taxes of employees — now paid by businesses — of up to Rp 6.5 trillion, subsidizing diesel by Rp 2.8 trillion, and increasing infrastructure spending by Rp 10.2 trillion.
According to the ministry, Indonesia's Rp 71.3 trillion stimulus package accounts for 1.4 percent of the country's GDP, higher than the recently announced US stimulus, percentage-wise, which only accounts for 1.2 percent of the GDP.
The government forecasts the economy to grow between 4.5 and 5.5 percent this year, a drop from an estimated 6.2 percent in 2008.
The global downturn is affecting Indonesia’s economy on all fronts, from weakening demand for exports and slowing down flows of investment, to reducing consumer purchasing power.
Businesses have long warned that massive layoffs could hit Indonesia when the impact of the global crisis hits home the hardest some time in the middle of this year.
To achieve 5 percent economic growth, the government will boost spending by 10.4 percent from a year earlier, as private consumption, the economy's main driver, looks likely to drop this year.
Fauzi Ichsan, an economist with Standard Chartered Bank, said that in the past four years, government spending was relatively low.
"The stimulus will boost growth only if the government and local administrations can spend the money effectively," he said.
Government Rp 71.3 trillion
Economic Stimulus Package
Tax savings
• Income taxes of individuals and corporates, as well as untaxed incomes: Rp 43 trillion
Waived taxes and import duties
for businesses and certain households
• Value-added taxes on oil and gas exploration, and cooking oil: Rp 3.5 trillion
• Import duties on raw materials and capital goods: Rp 2.5 trillion
• Income taxes of employees: Rp 6.5 trillion
• Income taxes for geothermal: Rp 0.8 trillion
Subsidies and government
spending for businesses
• Diesel subsidy: Rp 2.8 trillion
• Electricity rate discount for industries:
Rp 1.4 trillion
• Additional infrastructure spending: Rp 10.2 trillion
• Expansion of development for people living in rural areas (PNPM): Rp 0.6 trillion
Source: Finance Ministry
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Israel Siap Hadapi Tuduhan: Bukti-bukti Kejahatan Kemanusiaan Sudah Ada
Mustafa, bocah lelaki berusia 5 tahun, Jumat (23/1), berjongkok di depan rumah orangtuanya di Bukit Jabaliya, Jabaliya Timur, Jalur Gaza, yang hancur dibom pesawat tempur Israel, F-16, pada 27 Desember 2008. Selama tiga minggu, pesawat tempur, helikopter, dan tank Israel memorakporandakan wilayah ini.
Koran Kompas,Sabtu, 24 Januari 2009 | 04:27 WIB
Oleh Trias Kuncahyono dan Mustafa Abd Rahman
GAZA CITY, JUMAT — Perdana Menteri Israel Ehud Olmert meminta Menteri Kehakiman Daniel Friedman membentuk tim untuk membela militer dan warga sipil Israel. Pemerintah bertanggung jawab penuh mengirimkan pasukan Israel untuk melindungi rakyatnya. Demikian pernyataan tertulis Pemerintah Israel, Jumat (23/1). Hingga Jumat, kehidupan di Jalur Gaza tenang tanpa letusan senjata. Warga melakukan shalat Jumat tanpa ketakutan.Di pasar utama kamp pengungsi Jebaliya, massa memadati toko-toko dan restoran yang sudah dipenuhi bahan makanan. Sebanyak 221 sekolah yang dikelola Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa dibuka kembali pada Sabtu ini. Israel juga membuka perbatasan dengan Jalur Gaza.Namun, hal itu tidak menutup potensi Israel didakwa melakukan kejahatan kriminal di Jalur Gaza.
Sebelumnya, Sekretaris Jenderal PBB Ban Ki-moon meminta pelaku serangan Kantor Badan Bantuan Sosial dan Pekerja PBB (UNRWA) di Gaza City segera ditangkap dan diadili. Lembaga Amnesti Internasional juga menyebutkan, Israel ”tidak diragukan lagi” telah menggunakan amunisi fosfor putih di kawasan permukiman padat penduduk di Gaza. Ini melanggar hukum internasional, bahkan bisa dianggap kejahatan perang. Israel bersikeras mengatakan, pasukan Israel telah berusaha semaksimal mungkin menghindari korban warga sipil di daerah yang padat penduduk. Israel justru balik menuding Hamas sengaja bersembunyi di belakang warga sipil dan memasang warga sipil sebagai tameng hidup.
Lebih kejam
Pakar hak asasi manusia untuk isu HAM di Tepi Barat dan Jalur Gaza, Richard Falk, menyatakan, sebenarnya, bukti bahwa Israel telah melakukan kejahatan perang saat menyerang Gaza selama 23 hari sudah jelas. Namun, untuk membuktikan Israel melanggar aturan hukum internasional dan melakukan kejahatan perang, diperlukan penyelidikan independen dan mendalam. Apalagi melihat fakta, Israel tidak berusaha memperbolehkan penduduk sipil menghindari serangannya. Israel justru mengunci warga sipil dalam zona perang. ”Itu jelas lebih parah dibandingkan dengan yang pernah dialami kaum Yahudi yang dibiarkan kelaparan dan dibunuh Nazi pada Perang Dunia II,” kata Falk.
Seharusnya, lanjut Falk, Israel memberikan kesempatan kepada anak-anak, orang cacat, atau warga yang sakit untuk mengungsi ke tempat yang lebih aman di luar Gaza atau di Israel selatan. ”Semua penduduk di Gaza yang terperangkap di dalam zona perang tanpa diberikan kesempatan untuk mengungsi akan mengalami gangguan mental sepanjang hidupnya,” ujarnya.
Serangan Israel ke Gaza justru makin memperkuat gerakan ekstremis dan membuat warga Palestina semakin marah. Direktur UNRWA John Ging meminta utusan khusus Amerika Serikat untuk Timur Tengah yang baru ditunjuk, George Mitchell, untuk berbicara dengan penduduk sipil di Gaza yang tidak terkait dengan dunia politik sebagai bagian dari jalur diplomasi yang baru.
Penduduk sipil, menurut Ging, saat ini bukan saja masih shock dengan serangan Israel, tetapi juga semakin marah. Membuat suatu mekanisme dalam penyelidikan jumlah korban tewas dan kehancuran infrastruktur di Gaza diharapkan akan meredam kemarahan penduduk dan memperbaiki kepercayaan rakyat pada hukum. ”Semakin banyak ekstremis pasca-agresi Israel karena tak ada lagi yang percaya pada hukum dan keadilan. Kita harus dapat membuktikan itu salah,” ujarnya.
Perjalanan
Keputusan Pemerintah Mesir mengizinkan wartawan masuk ke Jalur Gaza lewat Pintu Gerbang Rafah muncul tiba-tiba, Rabu sore. Puluhan wartawan dari beberapa negara yang sudah menunggu selama tiga hari untuk memasuki Gaza segera menghambur masuk ke kantor imigrasi. Keinginan yang sudah ditahan selama tiga hari tiga malam itu meledak bagai air bah dan mendorong wartawan berebut untuk segera sampai ke bagian imigrasi. Wartawan berdesakan, berebut, dan saling dorong menyerahkan paspor dan surat keterangan dari kedutaan masing-masing ke kantor dinas intelijen dan imigrasi.
Walhasil, dibutuhkan waktu hingga tiga jam untuk menyelesaikan semua urusan. Setelah urusan imigrasi selesai, para wartawan—termasuk tujuh wartawan dari Indonesia—diangkut sebuah bus dari terminal imigrasi Mesir ke terminal imigrasi Palestina yang hanya berjarak beberapa meter dan dipisahkan oleh dinding perbatasan.
Begitu masuk ke terminal imigrasi Palestina, dua polisi dari Hamas menyambut wartawan dengan ramah. Mereka hanya meminta paspor dan menyuruh wartawan duduk menunggu. Seorang polisi dari Hamas mengatakan, ongkos taksi ke Gaza City yang berjarak sekitar 35 kilometer hanya 20 sikel (uang Israel yang berlaku di wilayah Jalur Gaza) atau sekitar Rp 50.000. (REUTERS/AFP/AP/LUK)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Exxon, Chevron in $6.76b deal to feed gas-hungry local market
Ika Krismantari , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 01/23/2009 7:43 AM | Headlines
Global energy giants, including ExxonMobil Corp and Chevron Corp, on Thursday signed deals worth US$6.76 billion with domestic industries to supply gas. The signing took place at the fourth international gas exhibition and conference in Jakarta.Under the deal, Exxon has agreed to supply gas to fertilizer and related products giant PT Petrokimia Gresik and state electricity company PT PLN in deals worth $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.
Exxon will deliver the natural gas from the Cepu block, where the oil giant acts as the operator in cooperation with state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina.
However, it is not yet clear how much gas will be delivered.
Chevron and its partners under the East Kalimantan production sharing contracts will supply gas to fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Kaltim in the province at an estimated value of $1.6 billion.
Thursday's signings mark stronger commitments from foreign oil and gas companies operating in Indonesia to supply part of their gas output to the domestic market.
A day earlier at the conference, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati revealed the government’s plans to prioritize gas production for domestic consumption rather than for export in the coming years.
She said this was because local consumption was expected to continue rising in line with growth in local industries and a burgeoning middle class.
While aware of the possible dilemma facing gas companies in meeting demand for overseas
buyers, Mulyani said she believed the government had no other option than to prioritize the national interest.
Mulyani, who is also acting coordinating minister for the economy, urged gas producers to main-
tain production or produce more gas to meet local and overseas demand.
Estimates from the country's upstream oil and gas regulator, BPMigas, show national demand
for gas is set to rise steadily at a rate of 2.8 percent annually, reaching 6 billion cubic feet per day by 2020.
In 2007, demand stood at 4.2 billion cubic feet per day.
In Java, where most industries are based, demand will increase by 4.9 percent annually, reaching 4.1 billion cubic feet per day by 2020.
In light of this progressive trend of gas domestic needs, the government has significantly increased the gas supply portion for domestic industries from 29.6 percent in 2002 to 49.5 percent in 2008, according to BPMigas.
Indonesia, the world’s third largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, has been trying to in-crease its gas production to meet both foreign and domestic needs. Ironically, gas production has been on a downward trend for the past several years, due in part to aging fields.
This year’s production, for instance, is expected to reach 7.3 billion cubic feet per day, lower than the 7.9 billion cubic feet per day recorded in 2008.
BPMigas chairman Raden Priyono said the government would rely on a number of big LNG projects to help increase national gas production, including the Tangguh LNG plant in Papua, the Senoro LNG plant in Central Sulawesi, and the development of the Masela gas block in the Timor Sea.
Komisi-Komisi Negara Minta Dukungan Nyata Pemerintah
Kewenangan yang memadai sangat menentukan pelaksanaan fungsi dan tugas komisi.
Sejumlah komisi negara mendesak DPR dan Pemerintah memberikan dukungan nyata bagi pelaksanaaan fungsi, tugas, dan wewenang setiap komisi. Dukungan nyata meliputi sumber daya manusia, infrastruktur pendukung, dan sumber dana yang memadai.
Desakan itu disampaikan perwakilan dari enam komisi negara dalam pernyataan bersama di Jakarta, Kamis (22/01). Keenam state auxiliary organ itu adalah Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komisi Yudisial, Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK), Komisi Kepolisian Nasional, Komisi Kejaksaan, dan Ombudsman Republik Indonesia (ORI).
Urun rembug antar enam komisi ini bukan pertama kali terjadi. Sebelumnya, wakil dari enam komisi itu sudah lima kali melakukan pertemuan untuk sekedar tukar informasi. Namun untuk pertemuan yang digelar kali ini, mereka berhasil melahirkan pernyataan bersama.
Evaluasi atas pengalaman selama ini menemukan lima isu penting yang jadi kendala. Selain isu sumber daya manusia dan sumber dana, komisi-komisi negara menghadapi kendala keterbatasan kewenangan. Dua masalah lain adalah kurangnya komitmen politik pemerintah dan legislatif, serta partisipasi masyarakat.
Masalah sumber dana misalnya. Salah satu persoalan yang mencuat adalah mengenai ‘indepedensi’ anggaran yang diterima komisi. Jika KPK memiliki mata anggaran sendiri, tidak demikian dengan Komisi Kejaksaan. Komisi yang dikoordinatori Menkopolkumham ini berada di bawah mata anggaran Kejaksaan Agung. Anggaran untuk komisi negara di tahun ini sudah tertuang dalam Peraturan Presiden No 72 Tahun 2008 tentang Rincian Anggaran Belanja Pemerintah Pusat untuk tahun 2009.
Selain masalah anggaran, para pimpinan komisi juga menyoroti sejumlah kendala dan hambatan sehingga membuat kinerja komisi tidak maksimal. Komnas HAM misalnya. Menurut Ifdhal Kasim, ketua komisi ini, Komnas masih saja menghadapi keterbatasan dukungan sumber daya manusia. Bahkan, rekomendasi Komisi sering diabaikan karena sifatnya tidak mengikat, diperburuk komitmen politik yang rendah dalam merespon isu-isu hak asasi manusia. Intinya, kewenangan Komnas masih terbatas.
Demikian pula Komisi Kejaksaan. Selain dibelit persoalan anggaran dan sumber daya, Komisi ini seolah berada di bawah bayang-bayang Kejaksaan Agung. Sebab, kedudukan sekretariatnya dibentuk dan berada di lingkungan Kejaksaan Agung. Belum lagi dasar hukum pembentukan Komisi Kejaksaan –melalui Perpres No 18 Tahun 2005- yang dinilai lemah, terutama kalau dibandingkan dengan Komisi Yudisial yang dibentuk melalui UUD 1945. (Sumber Hukumonline.com/23-01-09)
