Articles
Wimar said that Indonesians weary of the Bush administration’s policies in the Middle East and the war in Iraq feel Obama is someone who can understand their concerns as Muslims. “He represents change, and in a sense an apology from the US to the world for their misled policy, because he has from the beginning rejected the war in Iraq and he never categorised Islam as a troublemaker,” Witoelar said. Read ›
Political and media expert Wimar Witoelar said the government was on the wrong track and had damaged its credibility with the public by ordering the Internet block. "This is a really clumsy move by the government. It shows how the government is exploiting certain religious issues to suppress the freedom of its citizens," Wimar told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. "It's like turning back the clock to the Soeharto era, when the government was always suspicious." Read ›
Wimar often grills government officials and legislators on his show and makes fun of their answers without making them feel too embarrassed. During the show, Wimar criticized Golkar and its current chairman, Jusuf Kalla, who is also the country's Vice President, and the party's former patron and late president Soeharto. He was not afraid that his new talk show would be aborted by ANTV's owner, the family of Aburizal Bakrie, who is also Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare. "I think the family would not drop my show. They do not control the station any longer," said Wimar, who was recently appointed the non-executive director at ANTV representing Hong Kong-based STAR TV, a global media network controlled by tycoon Rupert Murdoch. Read ›
Apa sih yang digodok Star TV dan Wimar? Sekarang anda sudah boleh resmi mengetahui, salah satu stasiun televisi mereka yang bernama antv mengangkat Wimar sebagai salah satu direktur. Ini statement mereka dalam bahasa Inggris. Read ›
Indonesia is looking forward to a new America with a new leader. Possibility of Obama gives great relief. Even if he had a connection with Indonesia, we don't expect political favors or foreign aid. What we need from foreign governments is attitude, is an open heart, is a symbolic gesture, is access, to have the embassy open without four layers of marines and sandbags. LISTEN TO AUDIO. Read ›
A female friend texted me, greatly upset that everybody has gone Obama-crazy. I seem to be included in the mass hysteria. Well, it is time to post an FAQ on what we think of Barack H. Obama, But you should know, dear J, that it is not really an issue for me personally, Read ›
Suharto did a lot of good, but his corruption and atrocities did permanent damage to Indonesia. TIME omitted references to the implications for today's public. That is fine for readers around the world. But for Indonesians, it is more important to recognize that there is a serious threat of not recognizing the current danger, which is, the current government and political elite in Indonesia are idolizing Soeharto's to the extent that it discredits the reforms attempted since 1998. Read ›
On the 101 East program on Aljazeera TV, Emil Salim defends Soeharto's record. He said that the alleged crimes happened only as excesses in the last years of his rule. Most of Soeharto's rule, says Salim, was used in managing economic growth and stability. Wimar says that whatever good for his economy does not cover the immense damage Soeharto's caused in people's lives. So how could Soeharto stay in power for so long? Wimar says because people defended him and covered his crimes. Watch the video here! Read ›
Soeharto has less power, or no power except the power of his money, so there should be less people on his side. Yet every day television shows dozens of public figures coming to pay him a visit at the hospital. But there is an important difference from the time when obsequious figures fawned around him looking for favors. Now at least when he is in the headlines, many voices remind the public of his alleged criminal past. Read ›
Mr. Wahid and Mr. Yudhoyono, who are liberal democratic leaders, have repudiated Mr. Suharto’s rule, and they have supported the pursuit of corruption cases against him in the courts. But it was no surprise here to see them by his bedside. "I think the number of visitors should be observed as something quite isolated from other types of reaction," said Wimar Witoelar, a leading political commentator. "It is just a cultural mode of honoring older people who are in trouble." Wimar as quoted from the New York Times, also the Voice of America and ADNKRONOS International Read ›
Change wins over experience!! The 2008 US presidential elections and the 2009 Indonesian presidential elections are both some time away. New names are coming up on the US political landscape, while Indonesia - the world’s newest major democracy - is still glued to failed names of the past. Read ›
Happy Blogging to All Good Guys!!! Read ›
Officials of local administrations should address journalists directly instead of hiding behind press releases, in response to media questioning, in order to create more transparent government institutions. Witoelar said the main hurdle in creating harmonious relations was the unwillingness of state officials to acknowledge their faults that were publicized in the media. Read ›
This is what the Bali Meeting is all about. Can the 180 governments hammer out agreements which will not only resuscitate the Kyoto Accord on climate change, but also push for new national policies on poverty? We are not too optimistic that the Indonesian government will rise to the challenge, especially this being an intersectoral issue. However, we must not give up hope. And if we take care of our democracy, we can keep demanding that necessary measures grow into sufficient remedies. Read ›
STOP MUSIBAH BUSWAY! Mobil dan motor yang tidak dilarang naik jalur busway setengah jadi, menghadapi kecelakaan. Ada mobil patah as, ada speda motor terjungkal meninggalkan pengendaranya berlumuran darah di atas beton. Kalau tidak bisa menghentikan korupsinya, paling sedikit hentikan jebakan maut yang dibuat proyek konstruksi busway! . The busway has been a hotbed of corruption. The previous director of the busway project is in jail for corruption, although he kept saying he was following the governor's orders. Now the busway construction project is a death trap. Eliminate this safety hazard!! Read ›
Vice President and Golkar Chairman Jusuf Kalla said that democracy is only a means a tool a process and not a goal. Therefore it is only a second priority which comes after the goal of achieving economic prosperity. Coming from a vice president it is downright dangerous. But one can expect it from Jusuf Kalla, because he is a man with anti-democratic tendencies. Read Wimar's interview on Metro TV. Read ›
Some people say, including respected New York Times reporter Seth Mydans, that Soeharto is fading away. But some people note, including yours truly, that his fortune is getting bigger and bigger. From Soeharto's holdings, any intelligent investor could get USD 6.25 billion per year or almost Rp 57 billion (dalam bahasa Indonesia, hampir Rp 57 Milyard). That is the amount people accuse gubernatorial campaigners to have pumped in the Pilkada (local elections) as political money. Read ›
Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri Read ›
A charming article about a charming sports festival in the northernmost city of the Netherlands, Groningen. Reported in the Jakarta Post by their reporter who is completing his studies at the Rijks Universiteit Groningen, Rendi A. Witular. No relation to the people with the name spelled differently, but sharing a fondness for Groningen. Read ›
2009 presidential race: Megawati always a good symbol but not a strong candidate. Sutiyoso will be better off making his own party, than being Mega's vice. Golkar starts slow but later may win it. PKS are not presidential class. Yudhoyono will win the election hands down, but with one condition. Read transcript of Wimar's interview on MetroTV earlier today. Read ›
