Several days ago Fun Zone Collection also talk about Funny Animals Photography
How about Roller Coaster??
Funny Roller Coaster Photos
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Luxury Car for State Officers: Who Can Resist?
As of today, about 150 State top officers, including ministers, have been delivered brand new Crown Royal Saloon as their official car. The US$100,000 plus-plus car (because of over 100% luxury tax) is considered too luxury for State officers in a country where most people live with daily expenses of below US$1 per day. Who can resist the luxury item when you know Japanese Emperor is also riding on it?
Thousands of readers posted hate comments about the luxury car reports. But look at how State Secretary Minister Sudi Silalahi defended the policy. "The budget for these cars has been planned and approved," Sudi, one of President SBY's trusted aides said.
Coordinating minister for the economy, Hatta Rajasa, argued the luxury car has been planned by the previous administration. "Don't ask me about that, because this is part of the previous administration's programs. Ask State Secretary," Hatta said.
Well, Hatta was the minister for State Secretary in the previous administration. He was part of the previous administration, for five years. He asked journalists to ask the previous State Secretary minister, who is himself?
Coordinating minister for the economy, Hatta Rajasa, argued the luxury car has been planned by the previous administration. "Don't ask me about that, because this is part of the previous administration's programs. Ask State Secretary," Hatta said.
Well, Hatta was the minister for State Secretary in the previous administration. He was part of the previous administration, for five years. He asked journalists to ask the previous State Secretary minister, who is himself?
Taufik Kiemas, the speaker of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), can't wait to ride on the new car. "If government provides me with the car, why should I reject. Besides, the car will not be mine. I will use this for the next five years and then return it to the State. Take it as a "loan" from people," Kiemas, husband of former president Megawati said. Hundreds of readers barked at Kiemas for this comment.
Priyo Budi Santoso, deputy House speaker from Golkar Party, responded with BIG SMILE when asked about his impression with the new car to replace his old Camry.
Marzuki Alie, the House speaker from SBY's Demokrat Party, said initially he considered to reject the car. "I thought it would trigger "controversy", which turned out to be true. But the car has been delivered, purchased, what can I do? I will use this new car," Marzuki said.
But not all State institutions would accept the car. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suggested the State top officers riding Kijang Innova (also a Toyota). Haryono Umar, deputy chairman of KPK said KPK leaders won't take the car.
Syafi'ie Maarif, former chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, the second largest Moslem organization, also suggested officers to ride Kijang instead. "Officers shall not ride on luxury cars. It's just a proof that they are heartless on people's miserable lives," Syafi'ie said.
Anies Baswedan, rector at Paramadina University, said "from budget perspective, the policy might be accountable, but what about people's sense of justice? This is not the right time to ride on luxury cars. What kind of message you want to give to public?" The writer of the article, Inggried Dwi Wedhaswary, wrote "Can our officers have modest style?"
The Joker, YKK & The Cikeas Octopus
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed the flow of money from the fugitive businessman Joko Tjandra (nicknamed The Joker by convicted businesswoman Artalyta Suryani) to Yayasan Kesetiakawanan dan Kepedulian (YKK), one of foundations highlighted by George J. Aditjondro in his controversial book: Membongkar Gurita Cikeas: Di balik skandal Bank Century.
"It is true, the amount is approximately US$1 million," Bibit Samad Ryanto, deputy chairman of KPK said today.
KPK didn't investigate the money transfer because it was considered a "deal" between private sectors. KPK discovered the money transfer during the investigation of Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) in relation to the bribery scandal of Artalyta Suryani, considered as middle-person for tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim, and prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan.
Joko Tjandra's lawyer YB Purwaning Yanuar said he knew nothing about the money transfer to YKK. Yanuar said he only handled the Bank Bali issue.
KPK's statement today is a confirmation of various media reports earlier about the transfer of US$1 million to YKK. Yosefardi.com reported about the issue in its article titled "Mr President & The Joker" in October 1st, 2009.
KPK's statement today is a confirmation of various media reports earlier about the transfer of US$1 million to YKK. Yosefardi.com reported about the issue in its article titled "Mr President & The Joker" in October 1st, 2009.
What is YKK?
As reported by Yosefardi.com, based on the information from its website, Yayasan Kesetiakawanan dan Kepedulian, is a foundation where former military commander Djoko Suyanto is a member of Supervisory Council. Djoko Suyanto was deputy chairman of SBY-Boediono campaign team and president commissioner of listed energy company PT Adaro Energy (ADRO) Tbk. Suyanto is currently coordinating minister for politic, security, law, and human rights affairs.
Other name listed in the supervisory council of the foundation is Sutanto (former National Police Chief, former president commissioner of state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, once a member of SBY-Boediono team, but resigned upon public criticism), who is now the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) Head.
Others including Purnomo Yusgiantoro (former energy and mineral resources minister, currently defense minister), MS Hidayat (chairman of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, now minister for industry affairs).
While the executive committee of the foundation is led by chairman Arwin Rasyid (currently CEO of Bank CIMB Niaga), deputy chairman Agustian Partawidjaja (executive of Sinar Mas Group), Nenny Sri Utami (former head of research and development of energy and mineral resources ministry), Setiawan Ambardy (finance director of PT Jaring Lintas Usaha), Dessi Natalegawa (brother of foreign affairs minister Marty Natalegawa, former executive of Prayogo Pangestu's Chandra Asri petrochemical center), etc.
KPK imposed a travel ban on The Joker based on information that he transferred US$1 million to Suryani, known for her relationship to tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim. But KPK then found the money was not transferred to Suryani. That's why KPK released The Joker from the travel ban, which cost them police investigation on "abuse of power". KPK then traced the money and found that The Joker gave the money to CEO of PT Mulia Viadi Sutoyo and Enang as courier. "They then gave the money to Djoko Suyanto from Kesetiakawanan Foundation," Ahmad Rifai, lawyer to KPK leaders explained.
Suyanto denied the allegation. The donation, he said, was received by the foundation's executive board through its account. "I have no idea about that, it's the foundation's business," he said few months ago.
Today, Suyanto admitted the "donation". "That's true. But its nothing to do with financing the (presidential) election campaign," Suyanto said. "The issue is already old, probably two or three years, probably George fell asleep back then, suddenly woke up and blowing up this issue," Suyanto commented George's theory about The Joker's funds for SBY's presidential campaign.
The foundation was active in providing assistance to various groups as shown in its website. That's probably why people like George asked how the foundation financed all the activities and programs?
KPK lawyer admitted it got the information about the money from The Joker to Yayasan Kesetiakawanan when KPK grilled Viadi Sutoyo (executive of Mulia Group) in relation to the bribery scandal of Artalyta Suryani and prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan in May 2008. Bibit argued "that (US$1 million) is between private sectors and the foundation, not KPK's business." Well, looks like it's not just an affair between the The Joker and YKK now, especially after George highlighted the role of other foundations.
Some people argued "what's wrong with the foundations, especially if they're doing good things for people?" Well, nothing wrong with that. Soeharto also argued the same on his foundations like Supersemar, Dakab, Dharmais, Dana Gotong Royong Kemanusiaan, Dana Sejahtera Mandiri, etc. But we all know Soeharto's foundations were also sanctuaries for corruption and rampant collusion due to lack of transparency in their fund raising and accountability of the money they collected.
(Haryanto Suharman, researcher at yosefardi.com contributed to this article)
Sampoerna, SBY-Demokrat, & Century bailout
I just remember when our fellow journalists discussed about who's behind Jurnal Nasional newspaper when it first hit newsstands few years ago (2006 to be exact). Journalists in town mainly mentioned Sampoerna. Which Sampoerna or who in the Sampoerna family involved in Jurnal Nasional (JURNAS), nobody knows except people within the company. George wrote that it's Soenaryo Sampoerna (not Putera, nor Boedi) who invested in the newspaper (PT Media Nusa Perdana). Soenaryo's name is mentioned in various reports about PT Esa Kertas, who is in legal dispute with Bank Danamon. Our source said Soenaryo, known as Kian Soen, is the son of Boedi.
In the first two years of JURNAS, according to George, Sampoerna installed two representatives: Ting Anantan Setiawan and Rainerius Taufik. Ting's role has reportedly been replaced by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono's younger sister, who is also the wife of Gatot Suwondo (BNI CEO).
Nobody knows how much money Sampoerna already invested in JURNAS. George only pointed to print cost of the paper since 2006 has reached Rp90 billion. If that's true, JURNAS might have spent over Rp300 billion, because according to our experience in the media business, printing cost might be around 30% of total cost.
Still, nobody knows who gave what and how much for the operation of this newspaper. What's the connection between Sampoerna investment in JURNAS and Century bailout? George, in a talk-show with TVOne, said he made no connection between those two. Let people to draw conclusion? Well, what an unpleasant New Year gift for SBY and Demokrat Party.
Gurita Cikeas Triggers Controversy
For those regularly monitoring Indonesian politics at play, George Aditjondro's book, Membongkar Gurita Cikeas (literally means: Uncover Cikeas Octopus), is a compilation of scattered reports about various foundations closely linked to Cikeas (President SBY, The First Lady, and the broader inner circle (including Demokrat Party). What makes it special is actually the inner circle's strong reaction to the book, most likely because of the connection to ongoing investigation on Century scandal.
George opened the book with the popular transcript of a wiretapped conversation between Anggodo Widjojo and Ong Yuliana where Yuliana claimed SBY's support for Ritonga (former deputy attorney general) on a plot (i.e. criminalization of KPK leaders).
George discussed about Sampoerna Group's "assistance" to Jurnal Nasional, a newspaper closely affiliated to Demokrat Party and SBY; utilization of public service obligation (PSO) funds for Bravo Media Center, one of campaign arms of SBY-Boediono; SBY-affiliated foundations (Puri Cikeas, SBY Nurussalam, Kesetiakawanan & Kepedulian, etc); First Lady-related foundations (Batik Foundation, Sulam Foundation, etc); Business connection of Cikeas Family, etc.
Yosefardi.com published various articles in the period of 2007-2008 about these issues under the following titles: Puri Cikeas Foundation, SBY's dzikir foundation, cabinet ministers wives' club, Tempo Scan Group & SBY, Tjokrosaputro & The First Family, Mr President & The Joker, etc.
The book has disappeared from bookstores. TBG reportedly withdrew the book. But Naluri Imayanti, duty manager of Gramedia Matraman (Jakarta) outlet, denied the withdrawal. "That's not true. The book has yet to entered the bookstore," Naluri said.
The publisher printed 4,000 copies for US$4/copy. Bookstores withdrawn the book, reportedly due to "pressures", just when the inner circle of the ruling elite seriously discussing the book. The President's spokesperson has expressed SBY's "concern" about the book's content. Demokrat Party executives mainly call the book a "defamation" and as a result, the writer shall be brought to justice (legal process).
House Speaker Marzuki Ali (from Demokrat) said the book is full of baseless allegations and defamations toward SBY.
Denial also came from Antara News Agency, which according to George, channeled public service obligation funds to Bravo Media Center (member of SBY-Boediono campaign team). Suratto Siswodihardjo, chairman of Puri Cikeas Foundation, asked George to drop the conclusion that the foundation he established is part of the Cikeas Octopus. "I simply can't accept that conclusion," Suratto, known as a friend of SBY and chairman of Pro SBY Movement/commissioner of state-owned company PT Angkasa Pura II said in a dialogue at TVOne. But George rejected straightforwardly. "I will not drop that," George said in the dialogue.
All of these would only popularize the book. What a "blessing in disguise" for the publisher. Members of the DPR's inquiry team on Century have reportedly ordered the book directly to the publisher in Yogyakarta (Galang Press). Some universities have also ordered substantial copies.
While SBY's supporters see SBY as a regular victim of defamation, others expressed their concern about the return of authoritarianism if the book is banned from distribution. Interestingly, Amir Syamsuddin, secretary general of Demokrat Party, who is also a lawyer, said the book shall not be withdrawn from distribution. "The book is rubbish, no relation between its title and the content," Amir commented.
President's spokesperson Julian Aldrin Pasha dismissed speculations that government has banned the distribution of the controversial book.
For your own research, checkout the following websites:
1. Puri Cikeas Foundation
2. Kesetiakawanan and Kepedulian Foundation
3. Yayasan Majelis Dzikir SBY Nurussalam. Or this article.
4. Yayasan Batik Nusantara
You may read others, for reference:
1. Indonesia Tersenyum
2. Indonesia Pintar
George opened the book with the popular transcript of a wiretapped conversation between Anggodo Widjojo and Ong Yuliana where Yuliana claimed SBY's support for Ritonga (former deputy attorney general) on a plot (i.e. criminalization of KPK leaders).
George discussed about Sampoerna Group's "assistance" to Jurnal Nasional, a newspaper closely affiliated to Demokrat Party and SBY; utilization of public service obligation (PSO) funds for Bravo Media Center, one of campaign arms of SBY-Boediono; SBY-affiliated foundations (Puri Cikeas, SBY Nurussalam, Kesetiakawanan & Kepedulian, etc); First Lady-related foundations (Batik Foundation, Sulam Foundation, etc); Business connection of Cikeas Family, etc.
Yosefardi.com published various articles in the period of 2007-2008 about these issues under the following titles: Puri Cikeas Foundation, SBY's dzikir foundation, cabinet ministers wives' club, Tempo Scan Group & SBY, Tjokrosaputro & The First Family, Mr President & The Joker, etc.
The book has disappeared from bookstores. TBG reportedly withdrew the book. But Naluri Imayanti, duty manager of Gramedia Matraman (Jakarta) outlet, denied the withdrawal. "That's not true. The book has yet to entered the bookstore," Naluri said.
The publisher printed 4,000 copies for US$4/copy. Bookstores withdrawn the book, reportedly due to "pressures", just when the inner circle of the ruling elite seriously discussing the book. The President's spokesperson has expressed SBY's "concern" about the book's content. Demokrat Party executives mainly call the book a "defamation" and as a result, the writer shall be brought to justice (legal process).
House Speaker Marzuki Ali (from Demokrat) said the book is full of baseless allegations and defamations toward SBY.
Denial also came from Antara News Agency, which according to George, channeled public service obligation funds to Bravo Media Center (member of SBY-Boediono campaign team). Suratto Siswodihardjo, chairman of Puri Cikeas Foundation, asked George to drop the conclusion that the foundation he established is part of the Cikeas Octopus. "I simply can't accept that conclusion," Suratto, known as a friend of SBY and chairman of Pro SBY Movement/commissioner of state-owned company PT Angkasa Pura II said in a dialogue at TVOne. But George rejected straightforwardly. "I will not drop that," George said in the dialogue.
All of these would only popularize the book. What a "blessing in disguise" for the publisher. Members of the DPR's inquiry team on Century have reportedly ordered the book directly to the publisher in Yogyakarta (Galang Press). Some universities have also ordered substantial copies.
While SBY's supporters see SBY as a regular victim of defamation, others expressed their concern about the return of authoritarianism if the book is banned from distribution. Interestingly, Amir Syamsuddin, secretary general of Demokrat Party, who is also a lawyer, said the book shall not be withdrawn from distribution. "The book is rubbish, no relation between its title and the content," Amir commented.
President's spokesperson Julian Aldrin Pasha dismissed speculations that government has banned the distribution of the controversial book.
For your own research, checkout the following websites:
1. Puri Cikeas Foundation
2. Kesetiakawanan and Kepedulian Foundation
3. Yayasan Majelis Dzikir SBY Nurussalam. Or this article.
4. Yayasan Batik Nusantara
You may read others, for reference:
1. Indonesia Tersenyum
2. Indonesia Pintar
Also Read : Sampoerna, SBY-Demokrat, & Century bailout
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Mind Reading (Funny)
It's foggy and low 50's F here, Supposed to clear up, no rain in the forecast.
Reading Minds
Reading Minds
Did God Create Evil ? (Humor)
This will make you think for a while. At a certain college, there was a professor with a reputation for being tough on Christians. At the first class every semester, he asked if anyone was a Christian. Whereupon he proceeded to degrade any poor soul that timidly answered "Yes", mocking his/her statement of faith.
One semester, he asked the question and a young freshman raised his hand when asked if anyone was a Christian. The professor asked, "Did God make everything, young man?"
He replied, "Yes sir He did!"
The Professor responded, "If God made everything, then He made evil." The student didn't have a response and the professor was happy to have once again proved the Christian faith to be a myth.
Then another student raised his hand and asked, "May I ask you something, sir?"
"Yes, you may," responded the professor.
The young man stood up and said "Sir, is there such thing as cold?"
"Of course there is, what kind of question is that? Haven't you ever been cold?"
However, to the professor's surprise, this young chap replied, "Actually sir, cold doesn't exist. What we consider to be cold, is really an absence of heat. Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat, but cold does not really exist. We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there."
Then the young fellow continued, "Sir, is there such a thing as dark?"
Once again, the professor responded "Of course there is."
And once again, the young lad replied "Actually, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is really only the absence of light. Darkness is only a term man developed to describe what happens when there is no light present."
The final question posed by our young friend went like this, "Sir, is there such thing as evil?"
The professor responded, "Of course. We have rapes, and murders and violence everywhere in the world, those things are evil."
The student replied, "Actually, sir, evil does not exist. Evil is simply the absence of God. Evil is a term man developed to describe the absence of God.
God did not create evil. It isn't like truth, or love, which exist as virtues like heat or light. Evil is simply the state where God is not present, like cold without heat or darkness without light."
The professor had nothing to say............
One semester, he asked the question and a young freshman raised his hand when asked if anyone was a Christian. The professor asked, "Did God make everything, young man?"
He replied, "Yes sir He did!"
The Professor responded, "If God made everything, then He made evil." The student didn't have a response and the professor was happy to have once again proved the Christian faith to be a myth.
Then another student raised his hand and asked, "May I ask you something, sir?"
"Yes, you may," responded the professor.
The young man stood up and said "Sir, is there such thing as cold?"
"Of course there is, what kind of question is that? Haven't you ever been cold?"
However, to the professor's surprise, this young chap replied, "Actually sir, cold doesn't exist. What we consider to be cold, is really an absence of heat. Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat, but cold does not really exist. We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there."
Then the young fellow continued, "Sir, is there such a thing as dark?"
Once again, the professor responded "Of course there is."
And once again, the young lad replied "Actually, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is really only the absence of light. Darkness is only a term man developed to describe what happens when there is no light present."
The final question posed by our young friend went like this, "Sir, is there such thing as evil?"
The professor responded, "Of course. We have rapes, and murders and violence everywhere in the world, those things are evil."
The student replied, "Actually, sir, evil does not exist. Evil is simply the absence of God. Evil is a term man developed to describe the absence of God.
God did not create evil. It isn't like truth, or love, which exist as virtues like heat or light. Evil is simply the state where God is not present, like cold without heat or darkness without light."
The professor had nothing to say............
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