Politics, sport, business towards Israel
Ahmad Qisai at Politics and Society highlights the ever growing tension between Israel and Palestine and Indonesian government decision to boycot the playoff of the World Group II in Tel Aviv later this month but seems to have a double standard in case of economy. He said,
The unjustified ‘collective punishment’ by Israel to the Palestinian people seems to have evoked contradicting responses in Indonesia. Being a staunch supporter of Palestinian cause and statehood, Indonesian leaders think that Indonesia needs to show her sympathy and solidarity to the Palestinian people. But sport and business in Indonesia seem to have different take on this Israel – Palestine political conflict.
Based on the precedence set by Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) who had government nod to go to Israel, the Indonesian Fed team should go ahead as they are invited by an independent institution not by Israeli government:
… Showing sympathy and solidarity to the Palestinian people does not mean that we have to sacrifice our national interests. Kadin has given this example. Being able to play more active role in international forums to pressurize Israel to solve the conflict in the region peacefully is more important for Indonesia than boycotting a tennis tournament.
Charity There, Charity Here too
Yosef Ardi at Indonesia Today, one of the most active Indonesian blogger-journalist discusses a new phenomenon among Indonesian big bosses: setting up a charity foundation. Even though some skeptic see this current trend with cynical view, they got no less appreciation from some other corners. He wrote:
Some praised these foundations for what they have done so far, just like Bill and Melinda Gates or Warren Buffett who decided to give away most of his fortunes to Bill’s foundation. These foundations are aggresively announce what they called ‘donations’ or corporate social responsibility (CSR)…give scholarships or professorships to big universities…give billions of rupiah to help the victims of the recent Yogyakarta earthquake or tsunami in Aceh…
But others are cynical, especially certain names with poor track records (still) and considered the criminals to the state as bad debtors or walked away smartly with huge burden to the state and the people..or their current operations of destroying forest for raw materials.
Looking up to the Future
Martin Manurung, in the meantime, disagree with the current statements made by many national figures like Abdurrahman Wahid, former Indonesian president, who urges the nation to go back to UUD’ 45 philosophical constitution instead of go ahead with the reformasi. He believes that:
Leaders are called on to build their nations by creating the future rather than investing in the past, vision matters more than ever. Vision requires what looks to others like a leap of faith: the ability to go beyond the data and to make a smart guess.
