Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia

BY Beni Bevly
On July 16, 2007 there was a labor strike against PT Nike Indonesia that involved thousands of employees from PT Naga Sakti Paramashoes (NASA) dan PT Hardaya Aneka Shoes Indonesia (HASI). This strike took place in front of Bursa Efek building in Jakarta, where PT Nike Indonesia that lead by John Richard leases its office (Nike Dituntut Bayar Pesangon, Tempo Interaktif, Juli 17, 2007). The employees of NASA and HASI demanded PT Nike Indonesia to provide them with severance pay or termination pay due to the termination of shoes order contract as of March 2008. This demand was also supported by Indonesia Manpower and Transmigration Minister, Erman Suparno. The questions are: is it correct decision for Suparno as a minister of Indonesia who carries Indonesia name to support this demand? What is the impact to Indonesia reputation in global economy?

Let us analyze this issue carefully. First, the contract is between Nike Indonesia and Hartati Murdaya, the owner of the NASA and HASI. The contract, of course, includes the production of shoes that has to meet certain standards, such as policy and procedure, price, quality, quantity and delivery time which must be fulfilled by both parties. In this case, Nike Indonesia does not deal with Murdaya’s employees.

Second, Murdaya, through her two companies had breached the contract. According to the Director of Nike Indonesia, Erin Dobson, the termination was caused by those two companies failed to maintain the minimum quality standard of the products and the delivery date. Dobson mentioned these issues had been addressed before. “It has been two years, the delivery of the products are rarely on time,” he said. Even Indonesia Industry Minister, Fahmi Idris admitted between Nike Indonesia and those companies had been dealing with these issues.

Understanding the above issues, it makes sense for Nike Indonesia to terminate the contract. Form Murdaya’s side, instead of showing the improvement in quality and service to Nike Indonesia, she mentioned to the media, “Nike has been arrogant.” She also mentioned that her companies had been humiliated and employees knew about it.” According to her, Nike should terminate the contract 18 months before with HASI dan 30 months before with NASA. She denied that she mobilized her employees to strike against Nike Indonesia.

Beside Murdaya, Indonesia Manpower and Transmigration Minister, Erman Suparno said, “PT Nike Indonesia must take the responsibility in rescuing 14,000 employees from NASA dan HASI who are threatened from getting laid off.”

On the other side, Indonesia Industry Minister, Fahmi Idris mentioned that the lay off case is the responsibility of Murdaya’s because so far Nike does not have relationship with her employees.

Recalling the above questions, is it the correct decision for Suparno as a minister of Indonesia who carries Indonesia name to support Murdaya dan her employees demands? What is the impact to Indonesia reputation in global economy?

By looking at the contract, it is obviously wrong to support Murdaya’s and the emplyees’ demand. In this case, Murdaya should have fulfilled all the requirement in the contract. The employees themselves should have demanded the severance pay or termination pay from Murdaya, not from Nike, simply because Nike is not their employer and their actual employer is Murdaya who had allegedly breached the contract.

From global economy perspective, the labor strike, Murdaya’s action and Indonesia Manpower and Transmigration Minister, Erman Suparno’s reaction have created bad image on Indonesia economy. How come, the employer is the one who breached the contract, and it is obvious that Nike is not the employer of 14,000 employees, yet both employer and employees demand severance pay from Nike?

Nowadays global economy, most country, such as China, India and Vietnam fight to get their businesses or contracts. The governments compete to provide better infrastructures, facilities, procedure/policy and more educated employees who know their responsibilities, obligations and rights about their jobs. While Indonesia, through its Manpower and Transmigration Minister, Erman Suparno, supported its employer who allegedly breached the contract to demand unrealistic compensation.

What would you do if you were Nike? I would start looking for other country which provides me better business contract and could keep their promise because I need a peace of mind in doing business.

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*Beni Bevly holds BA in Political Science, MBA in Marketing, and is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) candidate. He is the founder of Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia.

Image source: npr.org

Oleh Beni Bevly
Pertumbuhan perekonomian Indonesia dalam beberapa tahun terakhir ini menunjukkan angka yang menjanjikan, yaitu mencapai rata-rata di atas 6 persen. Secara rinci terlihat angka sebagai berikut: pertumbuhan pada 2002 berada di level 4%-4,5%, 2003-2004 (5%), 2005-2006 (5,5%-5,6%), 2007 (6%), dan 2008 (6,5%-6,9%) (www.fiskal.depkeu.go.id). Pertumbuhan perekonomian yang lebih banyak terjadi karena dipicu oleh bidang kontruksi dan jasa ini ternyata sampai saat ini tidak dinikmati secara langsung oleh mayoritas masyarakat. Trickle down effect tidak atau belum terjadi. Kehidupan masyarakat Indonesia dari segi ekonomi secara umum lebih sulit dibandingkan kondisi sebelum tahun 1998. Harga barang dan jasa semaking tidak terjangkau, sementara pendapatan tidak mengalami kenaikan yang berarti. Mengapa hal-hal ini terjadi? Bagaimana jalan keluarnya?

Untuk mengetahui mengapa hal ini terjadi, tadinya aku berpikir bahwa aku membutuhkan pandangan para ahli dan professor dalam bidang pembangunan yang bisa memberi jawaban yang memuaskan. Tetapi aku bepikir lagi, ternyata kita tidak membutuhkan pendapat orang seperti itu karena setiap masyarakat Indonesia sudah tahu permasalahannya, yaitu birokrasi yang tidak beres dan korupsi yang meraja rela. Walaupun demikian aku tetap tergoda untuk mengutip pendapat John McBeth yang menulis di web site Asia New Zealand Foundation:

In fact, some people are now complaining that without bribery incentives to hurry it up, the work of the bureaucracy is more glacial than ever.

After the progress of the last 20 years, corruption contributed significantly to the economic collapse of the late 1990s. It now looms as a major obstacle to achieving the development successes this country is capable of – and which the Indonesian people deserve. Corruption not only undermines the ability of governments to function properly, it also stifles private sector growth. Where corruption is rampant, contracts are unenforceable, competition is skewed and the cost of doing business is stifling. When investors see that, they take their money elsewhere. Indonesia ranks among the lowest in the world in the enforcement of contracts – 145 out of 155. In fact, investors’ lack of trust in the legal system is one of the problems that have brought investment levels down to half of those in your fast-growing neighbours.

Ternyata masalahnya berbalik ke korupsi lagi. Sebelumnya aku sudah pernah tulis di sini dan si sini dan aku tidak pernah akan bosan menulis korupsi selama ia terus meraja rela. Sebelum ini, aku juga sempat memberi coment terhadap tulisan di Jennie for Indonesia besama dengan lebih dari 20 pendapat pribadi lainnya mengenai korupsi. Komentarku adalah sebagai berikut:

Korupsi yang paling menggangu aku:

Aku nggak tahu persis istilahnya, sebutlah korupsi moral. Salah satu contohnya adalah seorang yang berwewenang mengambil keputusan untuk meluluskan permohonan pihak lain, sang pengambil keputusan itu memberikan persyaratan tambahan untuk kepuasan pribadi, misalnya pemohon harus mau “digauli.”

Yang paling penting untuk diperhatikan:

Semua korupsi penting untuk ditindak. Tetapi yang paling penting saat ini menurutku adalah korupsi materi, yang bermuara pada uang. Aku sempat melakukan hitung-hitungan soal korupsi, ternyata hanya dengan 12.5% uang hasil korupsi, desa-desa tertinggal di Indonesia bisa dimajukan (Baca di sini)

Hal yang bisa diperbaiki oleh kita semua:

Aku setuju dengan cara Konghucu yang mengusulkan bahwa perbaikan penting untuk dimulai dari diri sendiri, keluarga, lingkungan di mana kita tinggal atau kerja dan negara. Dari diri kita, walaupun kita punya kesempatan untuk korupsi, jangan dilakukan. Kadang kala kita berpikir, “Ah, ini tidak masalah kecil. Pasti tidak merugikan orang lain, jadi lakukan aja.” Bagaimanapun kecilnya, korupsi adalah korupsi. Jika kita terbiasa melakukan korupsi kecil, maka korupsi besar siap menunggu dan selalu menggoda kita.

Di lingkungan keluarga, apalagi berperan sebagai kepala rumah tangga, maka kita mempunyai pengaruh besar terhadap kehidupan anak-anak kita kelak. Untuk itulah anak-anak tersebut harus diajarkan harga diri (dignity), jangan mengambil barang yang bukan milik kita (kecuali barang tersebut disebutkan secara jelas “free” Jangan pula mengakui sesuatu yang bukan hak kita, termasuk hasil kerja orang lain.

Di lingkungan tempat kita tinggal atau kerja, jadilah contoh bagi yang lain untuk tidak berbuat korupsi dan perlihatkanlah dalam tingkah laku bahwa kita tidak melakukan korupsi bukan karena kita tidak punya kesempatan, tetapi korupsi berlawanan dengan kepribadian dan harga diri kita. Hal lain yang bisa dilakukan adalah beranilah untuk menjadi “whistleblower” yaitu tunjukkan dan paparkan bahwa telah terjadi korupsi (kalau ada) di lingkungan tempat tinggal dan tempat kerja kita. Lakukan dengan hati-hati dan bijaksana. Jangan hal ini dilakukan karena ada dendam pribadi dengan pelaku korupsi, tapi lakukanlah karena hal ini bertentangan dengan prinsip hidup kita. Record semua bukti yang ada untuk menghindari dianggap memfitnah.

Di tingkat yang lebih tinggi, yaitu negara, harus ada “political will” yang kuat dari pihak yang memiliki kekuasaan yang memaksa, seperti presiden, militer, jaksa agung, polisi atau “moral forces” seperti para mahasiswa dan NGO lainnya. SBY sudah memulai dan memperlihatkan hasil, jika hal ini didukung pihak-pihak lain yang berkompeten, maka prosessnya akan menjadi cepat dan impact-nya lebih meluas.

Beni Bevly

http://www.overseasthinktankforindonesia.com/

Sebagian dari komentarku di atas menganjurkan jalan keluar yang bisa ditempuh bagi pribadi kita masing-masing. Tetapi bagaimana dengan mereka yang sudah terlibat korupsi secara mendalam, mendarah daging dan dalam jumlah yang maha besar. Akankah tindakan seperti pemerintahan Cina yang menerapkan hukuman mati terhadap koruptor Zheng Xiaoyu, mantan direktur State Food and Drug Administration Cina pada hari Selasa 10 Juli 2007 bisa menjadi jalan keluar di Indonesia? Beranikah dan bisakah Presiden Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) melakukan hukuman mati seperti ini demi kemakmuran ratusan juta rakyat Indonesia?

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*Beni Bevly holds BA in Political Science, MBA in Marketing, and is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) candidate. He is the founder of Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia.

By Beni Bevly
The OverseasThinkTankforIndonesia.com (OTTI) is founded with a mission to to analyze and synthesize problems in Indonesia intellectually and to deliver the results to the government and the public of Indonesia with purpose of providing some answers that would develop Indonesia. However this very new blog is just a tiny starting point and still far away from what to be expected.

Despite it’s still far from expected, OTTI has been chosen as one of the sources on the www.worldwidirectory.com with 2 and 5 star category, side by side with The Official Site by Indonesia Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Many of the sources have no stars and only a few of them were awarded star/stars. Looking at its traffic which ranks 73,137 at www.alexa.com by the time this article was posted, worldwidirectory.com has significant role in providing worldwide information. It means, hopefully, OTTI soon will get recognized by more parties.

The other good news is that one of the OTTI’s articles, Deliver Us from Evil was archived by www.bishop-accountability.org, a non-profit corporation based in Massachusetts, USA. This non-profit organization is making an effort to archive comprehensive documents in order to hold the bishops accountable for bringing abusers into the priesthood and for transferring known abusers into unsuspecting parishes. Hopefully, this article will take part in achieving their noble goal.

It obvious, slowly but sure, OTTI has moved to the right direction in achieving its giant mission.

Last but not least, I welcome and invite people who have the passion in developing Indonesia to join OTTI as a volunteer columnist. Feel free to contact Beni Bevly at benibevly@prodigy.net.

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*Beni Bevly holds BA in Political Science, MBA in Marketing, and is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) candidate. He is the founder of Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia.

By Beni Bevly

“I made up my mind. There is no God. I do not believe in God. These rules, they were made up by men,”

said a father of the victim of pedophile priest in Deliver Us from Evil (2006), the unsettling Oscar-nominated documentary from filmmaker Amy Berg that investigates the life of 30-year pedophile Father Oliver O’Grady and exposes the corruption inside the Catholic Church that allowed him to abuse countless children.

When I was watching this film several days ago, I was touched by what the victim’s father said. That’s why I dare myself to write this issue even though this film was produced last year. While watching this film, I questioned my self, why did pedophile and clergy sexual abuse take place at the sacred institutions such as Catholic churches that supposed to protect its children and deliver them from evil? One of the elements, is that because the Catholic priests practice the mandatory celibacy? Will marriage solve the problem?

Prior discussing the above questions, let’s see what Amy Berg presented in her “Delivering Us from Evil.” She revealed the following data:

First, over 100,000 victims of clergy sexually abuses have come forward in the United States alone. Experts say more than 80% of sexual victims never report their abuse.

Second, since 1950, sexual abuse has cost the church over one billion dollars in legal settlements and expenses. More than that, this documentary film also shows how these priests also destroyed people’s faiths and beliefs painfully.

Third, Cardinal Roger Mahony who is currently serves as the fourth Archbishop of Los Angeles is still fighting sexual abuse allegations against 556 priests in his diocese (The John Jay Report found accusations against 4,392 priests in the USA, about 4% of all priests).

Fourth, Pope Benedict XVI was accused of conspiracy to cover up sexual abuse in the United States. At the Vatican’s request, President Bush granted the Pope immunity from prosecution.

Recalling and answering the above questions, there are some speculations collected as follow:

One, a report submitted to the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 1971, called The Role of the Church in the Causation, Treatment and Prevention of the Crisis in the Priesthood by Dr. Conrad Baars, a Dutch-born Catholic psychiatrist from Minnesota, and based on a study of 1500 priests, suggested that some clergy had “psychosexual” problems. It is a matter of speculation as to how much of the Catholic Church’s mishandling of sex abuse cases was influenced by such problems.

Two, Catholic doctrines outlined below (Other Catholic Teachings, Practices) and this understaffing combine, it has been claimed, to make Catholic clergy extraordinarily valuable. It is alleged that the Catholic hierarchy acted to preserve the number of clergy and ensure that they were still available to supply priestly services, in the face of serious allegations that these priests were unfit for duty.

Three, it has been suggested that the discipline of celibacy in the Catholic priesthood offers a means by which priests with sexual urges that are aimed towards children rather than adults can hide those tendencies, their lack of sexual feelings towards adults being unnoticeable in a completely unmarried clergy. It is believed that those with a predisposition toward child molestation would be drawn to the celibate lifestyle due to confusion about their sexual identity or orientation. There have also been suggestions that those who are already child molesters, either already acting or on the verge of acting on their disposition, deliberately enter the Catholic clergy due to the “cover” its celibacy provides, and since clergy may have frequent access to children.

Four, The Center for the Study of Religious Issues (CSRI), the research division of CITI Ministries (an anti-celibacy advocacy organization), published a book about quantitative studies 1999-2004, which argues that a connection exists between mandatory celibacy and sexual abuse. Based on her research, the author states:

“The evidence is so strong that we can predict a continuation of the crime as long as mandatory celibacy exists in the priesthood.”

According to the CSRI, it is true that the mandatory celibacy also causes the Catholic priests become pedophile and sexually abusive. In this case, it seems marriage will solve the problem. What do you think?

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*Beni Bevly holds BA in Political Science, MBA in Marketing, and is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) candidate. He is the founder of Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia.