Indonesia
2024 Indonesian Election: Politicians make bold promises of free fuel and school lunches
As Indonesia gears up for the 2024 presidential election, eye-catching promises have emerged. Syaiful Huda of the National Awakening Party (PKB) has stirred controversy by pledging free motorcycle fuel if Muhaimin Iskandar wins.
Meanwhile, Prabowo Subianto, Gerindra Party Chairman and presidential candidate, has unveiled policy proposals, including free school lunches and milk for all students.
INDONESIA: As Indonesia approaches its 2024 presidential election, political promises have started to emerge, with one particularly attention-grabbing commitment coming from Syaiful Huda, a prominent figure in the National Awakening Party (PKB).
Huda has stirred controversy by pledging to provide free fuel for motorcycles (BBM) if Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as Cak Imin, wins the 2024 election.
However, the proposal to make motorcycle fuel (BBM) free comes with significant risks, especially concerning the country’s state budget, known as the State Budget (APBN).
Yusuf Rendy Manilet, an economist at the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE), pointed out that Indonesia is a net importer of oil.
Simultaneously, domestic oil demand frequently rises, impacting the trade balance deficit.
If this situation is combined with the provision of free BBM, which Indonesia does not produce domestically, it would lead to an expansion of the national budget.
The government would bear the full cost of subsidizing BBM, placing substantial strain on the APBN.
Manilet stated, “This will result in a significant increase in government spending. It means that BBM will be given for free, and the government will fully subsidize it from the BBM price itself, making it quite challenging because the budget and deficit space in the APBN are relatively limited.”
If the government persists in providing free BBM, alternative financing sources would be necessary. Manilet explained that existing revenue streams from taxes and non-tax sources have been insufficient to cover the cost of BBM subsidies.
One potential alternative is to seek new loans, although this approach carries its own set of risks.
Manilet added, “Certainly, debt is not a sexy thing, especially from a political perspective. Increasing debt will undoubtedly draw attention from many parties, including oversight institutions scrutinizing the government’s performance.”
Tauhid Ahmad, Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), expressed skepticism about the feasibility of free BBM. Ahmad emphasized that such a move would burden the government’s expenses, primarily for subsidies.
Furthermore, if BBM becomes free, targeting the subsidies effectively would become even more challenging, as the current BBM subsidy scheme is considered inadequate.
Another risk associated with providing free BBM is the potential for global oil prices to suddenly fluctuate.
An increase in world oil prices would further strain government financing, potentially leading to increased national debt.
Free lunch and milk for all students in schools among policy proposals unveiled by Prabowo
In the midst of these discussions, Prabowo Subianto, the presidential candidate and Chairman of the Gerindra Party, unveiled a series of policy proposals outlined in the “Program Best Results Fast 2024-2029.”
One of these policies focuses on providing free lunch and milk for all students in schools, pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools), toddlers, and nutritional assistance for pregnant women.
However, Prabowo acknowledges that some individuals have doubts about his proposed policies. He stated that he has prepared strategic steps to implement these policies, including communication and discussions with experts.
Prabowo challenged his audience, saying, “Some may ask, can it be done? My friends, we have done the math. The resources are there, as long as we are willing and committed to serving the people.”
In response to these political promises, Masinton Pasaribu, a politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), urged political parties participating in the 2024 election not to engage in empty rhetoric.
He emphasized the need to avoid “lip service” politics in the upcoming presidential election and called for political leaders to act in accordance with their words.
Masinton further criticized the coalitions formed before the elections, suggesting that they often present themselves as solid and strong in the media but eventually fracture and change direction. He argued that dynamic politics involve cooperation among political parties within a coalition, not the other way around.
Claiming that PDIP is cautious in selecting its partners and not rushing to choose a vice-presidential candidate, Masinton concluded, “Politics should be a space for providing commitment to the people because it is observed by the people, thus giving certainty to the people.”
Community
Naked Russian tourist causes stir in Bali, claims sleepwalking
A Russian tourist, claiming sleepwalking, alarmed residents by walking naked in Bali. He received a warning, with the Indonesian police emphasizing the need of respect for local norms.
INDONESIA: In an unusual incident that left residents of Darmawangsa Street in Banjar Petangan, Kutuh Village, South Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali, perplexed, a Russian national, identified as DS (34), was seen strolling naked on Wednesday (27 Sep).
This bizarre incident has sparked concerns among locals and raised questions about the man’s actions.
According to local authorities, DS, who is a professional parkour athlete in his home country, was apprehended shortly after the incident. He claimed to suffer from a sleepwalking disorder.
“DS admitted to having a history of sleepwalking and is currently taking prescribed medication,” stated I Ketut Sukadi, the Head of the Public Relations Section at the Denpasar City Police Resort (Polresta), in a written statement.
Sukadi further explained that, based on reports from witnesses, the foreign tourist was observed leaving a villa and walking towards Darmawangsa Street in the buff around 9.22 am local time.
Upon reaching a workshop, he stood motionless for approximately 30 minutes. Subsequently, the tourist was seen crossing the road multiple times.
Alarmed residents who witnessed the scene promptly alerted local law enforcement.
Officers from the Kuta Police Sector, along with Public Order Officers (Linmas) and the Municipal Police Unit (Satpol PP) of Kutuh Village, rushed to the scene. DS fled into a villa in South Kuta upon seeing the gathering crowd and officials approaching.
During questioning, DS revealed that he had been staying at a Guest House in Tabanan Regency, Bali, as a guest of a friend since Tuesday (26 Sep).
Following the incident, the police collaborated with immigration authorities to examine DS’s travel documents to Bali. It was confirmed that his immigration documents were in order, resulting in a mere warning for his actions.
“DS is a professional parkour athlete in his home country. At this time, he has only received a stern warning,” added Sukadi.
In light of this incident, Sukadi urged all tourists, both domestic and foreign, within the jurisdiction of Polresta Denpasar, to always respect and honor Bali’s culture, customs, and applicable regulations. He emphasized the importance of adhering to local norms and laws to avoid any violations.
Crime
Indonesian woman returns paralyzed from Riyadh sparks human trafficking suspicions
Budi Hartini, a paralyzed Indonesian migrant worker returning from Riyadh, prompts a human trafficking investigation, raising concerns about migrant worker safety.
INDONESIA: In a shocking turn of events, a 39-year-old woman identified as Budi Hartini hailing from Teniga Village in the Tanjung District of North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has been left paralyzed after her return from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September 2022.
Authorities suspect that she may have fallen victim to human trafficking.
Hartini’s condition is currently dire, as she is unable to speak and is confined to a wheelchair. Disturbingly, there are visible stitches on her head and scars on her throat.
Muhammad Saleh, the Chairperson of the Migrant Workers Legal Aid Center, revealed, “When she was brought back (picked up in Jakarta), she was already paralyzed, her head had already been fractured but had been stitched back together. Her body is now paralyzed; she can’t speak, can’t do anything, and no one seems to be taking responsibility.”
Budi Hartini has filed a report on her alleged human trafficking ordeal with the North Lombok Regional Police.
Accompanied by her family, the village head, the Legal Aid Center, and migrant worker protection advocates, she submitted her complaint to the Directorate of General Crime Investigation (Dit Reskrimum) at the NTB Regional Police headquarters.
According to Saleh, Hartini’s case goes beyond the usual human trafficking cases and involves potential violations of human rights.
“Because this case is not just a regular human trafficking case, but it involves human rights violations. The victim’s head was fractured, allegedly from a fall at the airport. But we do not yet know if this occurred at the airport,” he explained.
Saleh added that if the victim did fall at the airport, there should be an official statement from airport authorities or a local hospital.
“Because the airport is a highly accountable place. So, if someone falls, there should be a letter from the airport authorities, perhaps if she was still under the airline’s responsibility, there should also be a letter from the local police, a letter from the hospital, including the local government,” Saleh emphasized.
Novita Sari, a Migrant Worker Advocate, recounted that the incident began when Hartini registered as a domestic worker intending to go to the Middle East in May 2022, through an intermediary known as SY.
Shortly afterwards, Hartini was processed and sent to a shelter in Jakarta. After one week in Jakarta, she was then provided with a ticket to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
From the moment BD left for Riyadh, her family in Lombok received no further information.
“Based on the information we received, she had an accident at Riyadh Airport. According to what we heard, she had a head injury and underwent surgery,” Novita explained.
Throughout the surgical and medical treatment processes, the family received no communication whatsoever.
“During this process, there was no information given to the family, neither at the time of the incident nor during her treatment,” Novita stated.
Three months after Hartini’s alleged fall at Riyadh Airport, the family was informed that Hartini would be repatriated due to her illness.
“They only mentioned she was sick, without specifying the nature of her illness,” Novita added.
Upon Hartini’s return on 3 September 2022, the family was shocked and devastated. Budi Hartini, who had departed as a healthy migrant worker, returned in a pitiful condition.
Her hair had been shaved due to surgery, and there were visible stitches on her head from a surgical procedure. She also had scars on her throat, rendering her unable to speak, relying solely on gestures. Hartini’s condition remains far from stable.
Accompanied by her family, Hartini has reported the alleged human trafficking case to the NTB Regional Police in hopes of obtaining justice.
“Our hope is to achieve justice because this has led to permanent disability and to deter other intermediaries,” Novita remarked.
In response to the case, Ni Made Pujewati, the Head of Subdirectorate IV at the NTB Regional Police’s Directorate of General Crime Investigation, stated that they would thoroughly investigate the recruitment process of victims sent to work in Saudi Arabia.
“We will delve into the facts of what the victim actually experienced, starting from the recruitment process, this is a fragment that needs to be explored,” Pujawati said on Monday, September 25, 2023.
The NTB Regional Police’s Human Trafficking Task Force, in collaboration with district police departments, has already uncovered 31 cases in 2023 involving hundreds of Indonesian migrant workers.
Among these cases, Hartini’s condition has been described as the most severe.
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