Someone asked this very important question:  should governments use blogging as a tool for public service? I answered yes so here goes…telling an all-too-familiar story another way.

The all-too-familiar story told another way...tingim.

After 30 years in public sector work, I present to you the ruminations of a dinosaur with one eye open. Close your eyes…now, aherrm both eyes please…and come with me on this journey…

Just imagine receiving a blog from your local MP…

Can’t help it…got to say it! I can just see the title of my next tune beckoning in the distance: Blogging Me! Blogging You! Uhuhhhhhh’. For now, try singing/humming (whatever), these words with that famous ABBA tune ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You, uhuhhhhhh…’ See…not difficult is it?

Where are we? Oh yes the MP’s blog. Yes the blog is in your face and you seeing his/her face on your computer – for the first time! Wow! Some of these MPs don’t visit their electorates as often as they should once elected. So we need to think creatively to keep on reminding them about who gave them their mandate.

Unfortunately for most, they are all over you like a rash and in your face just before elections. Sometimes that is not so bad as someone’s got to put their best foot forward and declare their intention to lead. For some it’s more like willingly offering themselves for a life in a fishbowl, or go down in some quarters like the season’s pickings to be chewed up and spat out! Quite unceremonious goings on but that as we know comes with the territory.

Anyway, wouldn’t it be great for your MP to tell you what his/her vision is for your electorate for the next 5 years, and tell you about his/her hopes, concerns, issues, hobbies, interests, good causes, family, challenges and hardships they themselves or you put them through etc. MPs are human too. Yes, but human or not human is a small part of the commitment they made when they stood on top of trucks with loud hailers bleating out promise after promise for a better life that is only possible through them, disrupting traffic, disturbing the peace with loud noise, littering the sidewalks with their posters…etc.

Back to Le Blog, I could imagine a couple of engaging MP blog titles such as:
‘Getting to Know You’ (is this a line in a musical or what?)
‘Meet and Greet’ (hmmm…too wishy washy)
‘Coming to You Live from…(name of electorate/village)
‘Today With You’ (too suggestive perhaps)
‘Spanning Our Tribal Bridges’ (oooh…that’s heavy)
‘With Love From Me to You’ (maybe not…) and so on and so forth.

Gradually, election fever is no longer life-threatening, the warmth of the ballot paper becomes cold and the loud hailers are silenced and tossed aside in some dark damp corner for another 5 years or so. Promises become challenges and a 4-5-year uphill battle, more like every year, to meet election commitments prevail. The mandate to govern becomes blurred with self-indulgence and extreme liberties.

The electorate once more fades into yet another 4-5 years of the same old same old…as the loyal voter cries out over and over again: where is the road, the school, the aidpost, the airstrip, the drugs for all manner of illnesses etc etc? Why are we suffering when our country sits on gold and oil deposits, our rich forests and oceans teeming with bountiful harvets of tuna etc. That’s right! the promises that were coming over the loud hailers not so long ago. Why?, where?, how? — on it goes day in day out like a broken record.

Now I got to thinking as an avid blogger: Could blogging change this ever so familiar negative scenario? Most may answer maybe or yes, followed by how soon! And from the zealous ones: how about yesterday?

So this ‘new face’ (dispela ‘niupela pes’) that I’m talking about or rather agonising over - what about it?

Just think of yourself, the blogging honest voter let alone a citizen in your MP’s electorate telling him/her or rather blogging him/her about your successes, hardships, challenges, your family, taxes, your community and the beat goes on – day in, day out.  This goes on for what seems like an eternity.

Then one day, voila! you get a response! A response from your MP! Oh my gosh, your lips form these immortal words, slowly and with great emotion and no sound emanating from your mouth. Your heart is beating faster than usual, you are not sure whether to laugh or to cry! As you reach for the Kleenex your heart is full of wonder and love…yeah love…imagine that too. The blogger and bloggee in contact with eachother in perfect harmony…hmmm.

As you log off you wondered...

The hours pass by and you go back to your usual routine of checking your emails and Facebook and anything fun or witty. Then you log off your computer and wonder about your MP blogging back…well what a humongous surprise…you feel the lump of emotion in your throat again. You stand up from your desk and in the silence of your office you wonder….

What would future elections look like and what would elected leaders be like? If you were all blogging for 5 years after he/she got elected. Yes, what kind of church, community and youth leaders, public servants, newspaper editors, office managers, donor agencies, technical advisers, volunteers, project managers, departmental heads, CEOs, and politicians – the elected representatives etc, would a blogging community produce. It could go the other way too…we could create monsters. Yeah that too, but let’s just focus on our hopefully benevolent and caring MP, please.

That’s all very well. But what if the MP doesn’t have a computer? Is there another way? Do we need to give every new MP a crash course, say, Blogging 101? Do we need legislation to introduce blogging as a form of government communication? Prepare a Cabinet submission on this? Allocate a fraction of the budget for blogging resources? Or should we as law-abiding citizens exercise our human and civil right and just do it, that’s right! Go ahead and blog with our MPs to our hearts’ content every minute, everyday, every week, every month and so  on. Well, it would all makes sense if we were receiving our MPs’ responses, right?

It all boils down to this: MPs are duty bound to communicate with those who are and may be potentially affected by their actions and they are morally bound to be accountable for their actions, right? Yes, it’s all good…but MPs are just one aspect of governance. And mine just one perspective.

So the more than a million quid question is: Could blogging be the ‘new face’ of governance? Could blogging empower us to create cultures of good governance?

My mind journeys on, long after the flames of my gas heater burn low and another night to create in slumber my world of happiness, wealth and prosperity. A title of another blog perhaps?

Terminologi Good Governance diperkenalkan oleh Bank Dunia dalam publikasinya Sub Saharan Africa : From Crisis to Sustainable Growth pada tahun 1989. Wacana ini memiliki tujuan untuk “memberdayakan masyarakat umum” yang ada di Benua Afrika. Wacana Good Governance sendiri yang bergulir pada dekade tahun 90-an tentunya tidak lepas dari perubahan peta politik dunia yang begitu dinamis kala itu. Adapun perubahan – perubahan tersebut ditengarai disebabkan oleh tiga faktor antara lain hilangnya legitimasi, keruntuhan ekonomi, dan protes rakyat[1]. Dalam hal legitimasi kekuasaan, umumnya dalam pola perpolitikan di negara – negara Afrika menganut sistem kediktatoran dan menganut sistem partai tunggal meniru sistem pemerintahan komunis yang ada di Eropa Timur, sehingga ketika medio tahun 1980-an, kemunduran kehidupan perpolitikan yang dialami negara – negara komunis di Eropa Timur yang berujung pada runtuhnya Uni Soviet pada dekade tahun 1990-an turut berimbas dalam kehidupan politik negara – negara Afrika sehingga kemudian muncul pergolakan rakyat karena kesulitan ekonomi domestik yang begitu hebat serta kehidupan perpolitikan yang kacau balau dikarenakan pemerintah (government) gagal dalam mengelola negara. Kegagalan pemerintah ini kemudian dengan bad governance atau poor governance dalam istilah negara – negara Eropa Barat dan Amerika Serikat dalam menyikapi hal tersebut.

Lain halnya yang terjadi Eropa Barat dan Amerika Serikat pada awal tahun 1980 – an, di negara – negara tersebut sedang berhembus semangat neo liberalisme yang diusung Presiden Amerika Serikat Ronald Reagan yang kemudian memunculkan istilah “Reaganomic” dan Perdana Menteri Inggris Margareth Thatcher dengan “ Thatcherisme “ yang kemudian menyusun strategi baru untuk menguasai dunia ketiga (negara – negara Afrika) dan mempertahankan hegemoni dan superioritas kemajuan teknologi yang dicapai “negara utara” kepada “ negara selatan”. Menyikapi kekacauan ekonomi dan politik yang terjadi di benua hitam pada akhir dekade 1990 – an, negara – negara “utara” kemudian menggulirkan konsep good governance disertai dengan progam – progam pembangunan struktural yang bertujuan “memajukan” kehidupan ekonomi dan politik di negara – negara tersebut. Mengingat bahwa negara – negara Afrika tersebut memiliki pola patronase baik secara politik, sosial, ekonomi, maupun budaya yang kuat dengan negara penjajahnya dalam hal ini adalah Prancis, maka dengan sendirinya wacana good governance dapat diaplikasikan di negara – negara benua hitam yang tedogma akan kesilauan kemajuan teknologi yang dicapai “ negara – negara utara.” Wacana dalam formula progam pembangunan penyesuaian struktural / Structural Development Adjusment Progams yang ditawarkan oleh negara – negara maju ini direkonstruksi sebagai “resep” yang ampuh untuk memajukan kehidupan sosial politik negara – negara Afrika.

Adapun hal – hal / “resep” yang ditawarkan dalam wacana progam pembangunan penyesuaian struktural antara lain (1) Negara Minimalis, (2) Demokrasi Eksklusioner (3) Pemberdayaan Civil Society (4) Liberalisasi Ekonomi (5) Good Governance. Dalam hal ini wacana – wacana tersebut akan diuraikan sebagai berikut.

(1) Negara Minimalis

Konsep Negara Minimalis ini diwacanakan sebagai pengurangan porsi pemerintah (government) dalam mengelola kekuasaan negara (state). Berkaca pada kegagalan di masa lalu dimana pemerintah (government) di sebagian besar negara dunia ketiga dalam hal ini negara – negara Benua Afrika yang gagal dalam mengelola kekuasaan negaranya, maka perlu adanya dispersion of power agar pola kekuasaan lebih merata dan tidak menimbulkan absolutisme.

(2) Demokrasi Eksklusioner

Demokrasi eksklusioner ini tak ubahnya sebagai demokrasi prosedural dimana ada wacana keterwakilan dalam proses berdemokrasi. Inti dari konsep demokrasi ini adalah pemilihan umum dan sistem multipartai. Di negara – negara Afrika sendiri, umumnya masih berpegang pada partai tunggal sehingga wacana ini merupakan hal yang terbarukan dalam kehidupan perpolitikan di negara mereka.

(3) Pemberdayaan Civil Society

Sebagai tindak lanjut dari dispersion of power yang telah disebutkan di atas, maka dalam hal ini Civil Society perlu diberdayakan sebagai kekuatan penyeimbang daripada state dalam pola pengaturan kekuasaan pemerintahan sehingga dalam pola relasi kekuasaan di antara dua ranah ini, civil society selain itu akan muncul economic society merupakan sebagai watchdog (anjing penjaga) kepada state sehingga apabila dalam memerintah, state mengeluarkan policy yang sekiranya kurang berpihak pada civil society, maka tak segan pula masyarakat melakukan demonstrasi besar – besaran.

(4) Liberalisasi Ekonomi

Liberalisasi ekonomi ini dalam persepsi negara – negara barat selain akan memajukan sector ekonomi juga akan berimplikasi pada kehidupan berdemokrasi dalam negara seperti dalam teori Barrington Moore yaitu ”No Bourgouise No Democracy” bahwa sektor ekonomi akan menopang praktik berdemokrasi. Dalam hal ini masyarakat yang berkecimpung dalam sektor ini atau disebut juga economic society merupakan ranah kekuasaan yang sama dengan state dan civil society sebagai implikasi dari dispersion of power. Selain itu, economic society juga berfungsi sebagai watchdog dalam pola relasi pembagian kekuasaan terhadap state.

(5) Good Governance

Good Governance merupakan kulminasi dari konsep negara minimalis yang dijabarkan sebagai penyebaran kekuasaan negara (state) kepada dua ranah dibawahnya yaitu civil society dan economic society yang bersifat timbal balik satu sama lainnya serta negara tidak dipandang sebagai aktor tunggal dalam pemerintahan negara sehingga pola berdemokrasi dalam suatu negara akan lebih terjamin dengan aman dan tentram.

Namun, dalam pelaksanaannya di lapangan, wacana good governance ini justru mengalami kegagalan dalam aplikasi di negara – negara Benua Afrika baik dalam segi bidang politik, ekonomi, sosial, dan budaya. Hal ini terungkap pada studi kasus di Zambia, Ghana, Pantai Gading, dan negara – negara di Afrika Tengah. Resep pembangunan struktural yang digadang – gadang sebagai formula dalam menyikapi krisis Afrika justru menjerumuskan sebagian negara – negara Afrika dalam jurang kehancuran. Progam pembangunan penyesuaian struktural yang diusung oleh negara – negara maju ternyata mengandung “cost recovery” yang tidak sedikit bagi negara dunia ketiga utamanya dalam hal ini negara – negara Afrika sehingga sebagian besar negara – negara tersebut jatuh dalam pelukan IMF, World Bank, dan lebih parah lagi pada lembaga donor Bretton Woods dalam memecahkan persoalan ekonomi yang melanda negara mereka. Tentunya kekisruhan dalam ekonomi akan berimbas pada politik di negara tersebut. Zambia misalnya, negara ini bahkan hampir dicap sebagai Zambia for Sale. Tentunya dalam hal ini privatisasi badan usaha negara serta ketergantungan ekonomi yang tinggi pada lembaga donor keuangan dunia mengakibatkan negara – negara tersebut terpuruk.

Dalam hal ini perlu diingat bahwa wacana good governance memberi hak pada negara dunia pertama kepada dunia ketiga untuk melakukan intervensi dalam rangka mempromosikan pandangan pembangunan dan demokrasi serta wacana good governance juga melindungi negara – negara barat dari pengawasan demokratis[2]. Namun dibalik kegagalan wacana good governance, ada kebaikan yang dipetik bahwa wacana good governance turut mendemokrasikan negara – negara di tataran dunia dewasa ini.

[2] Rita Abrahamsen. Sudut Gelap Kemajuan. (Yogyakarta : Lafald). halm 43

Según la percepción de la gente, Argentina se encuentra 106º en un listado de 180 países en los que Transparencia Internacional (TI), organización que lleva adelante una coalición global contra la corrupción internacional, evalúa en base a encuestas personales la percepción de la gente en cuanto a la corrupción gubernamental internacional.  Solo Haití, en el puesto nº 168, Venezuela, en el nº 162, Paraguay, en el nº 154, Ecuador en el puesto 146, Honduras y Nicaragua en el 130, Guyana, en la posición nº 126 y Bolivia en el 120, nos superan en este dudoso privilegio. Uruguay y Chile (nº 25), en cambio se destacan del resto del continente, al igual que, por supuesto Canadá (8) y Estados Unidos de Norteamérica (19). Argentina está entre los nueve países del continente que no lograron superar la marca de los 3 puntos. “En una época en la que abundan los paquetes de medidas de estímulo, desembolsos rápidos de fondos públicos y estrategias para garantizar la paz en todo el mundo, es esencial identificar el modo en que la corrupción obstaculiza las buenas prácticas de gobierno y la rendición de cuentas a fin de interrumpir este círculo vicioso”, señaló Huguette Labelle, presidenta de Transparencia International, en la presentación del informe.
La gran mayoría de los 180 países incluidos en el índice 2009 tienen una puntuación inferior a 5 en una escala de 0 (percepción de alta corrupción) a 10 (percepción de bajos niveles de corrupción). El Índice de Percepción de la Corrupción mide los niveles percibidos de corrupción del sector público en cada uno de estos países y consiste de un índice compuesto, que se basa en 13 encuestas distintas a expertos y empresas. La edición de 2009 cubre a 180 países, la misma cantidad que el IPC 2008.
Los indices más bajos (percepción de alta corrupción) se dan en los países asolados por conflictos de larga data como Somalia, con una puntuación de 1,1, Afganistán con 1,3, Myanmar con 1,4 y Sudán, junto con Irak, con 1,5.

Cuando las instituciones básicas son débiles o inexistentes, la corrupción aumenta sin control y el saqueo de los recursos públicos potencia la inseguridad y la impunidad. La corrupción también instaura una creciente desconfianza en las mismas instituciones y los nuevos gobiernos encargados de garantizar la subsistencia y la estabilidad. El soborno, los carteles y otras prácticas corruptas frustran la competencia y contribuyen a la pérdida masiva de los recursos para el desarrollo en todos los países, especialmente en los más pobres. Entre 1990 y 2005, se descubrieron más de 283 carteles internacionales privados que aplicaron sobreprecios estimados de US$ 300.000 millones a los consumidores de todo el mundo.
Tanto a nivel mundial como nacional, las instituciones de control y la aplicación efectiva de los marcos jurídicos, acompañados por una reglamentación más inteligente y eficaz, garantizarán niveles más bajos de corrupción. Esto redundará en un más que necesario incremento de la confianza en las instituciones públicas, crecimiento económico sostenido y una asistencia para el desarrollo más efectiva.
Argentina con un índice de percepción de la corrupción de 2,9 presenta todas las características propias de un régimen que ataca la libertad de prensa, que no respeta la división de poderes, debilitando al sistema jurídico, con un alto nivel de imprevisibilidad tanto en las reglas de la libre empresa como en el nivel de respeto por las instituciones y de su propia Constitución.
Adelantos en las fechas de elecciones, Consejos de Magistratura designados  a dedo, candidatos que se presentan a cargos sabiendo que nunca se sentarán en la banca para la cual han sido elegidos, millonarios sobreprecios en la obra pública, re-inauguraciones en obras públicas que no se concluyen, nepotismo en los nombramientos  y vista gorda a los delitos cometidos por los amigos   del poder o por los propios funcionarios del Gobierno, son solo la punta de un iceberg que está hundiendo la confianza de la sociedad.
Los altos niveles de  corrupción no están relacionados con el índice de pobreza de cada país ya que incluso Brasil, México , Perú y Colombia, las economías más desarrolladas de la región luego de E.E.U.U. y Canadá, no lograron superar el índice de 5 puntos.  La puntuación baja de la mayoría de países Latinoamericanos refleja el hecho de que las instituciones débiles, las prácticas de gobernabilidad deficientes y la excesiva injerencia de los intereses privados continúan frustrando las iniciativas tendientes a promover un desarrollo equitativo y sostenible.
A su vez, los periodistas de América Latina se enfrentan a un entorno cada vez más restrictivo, y varios países al igual que Argentina han sancionado o propuesto leyes destinadas a silenciar al periodismo crítico, lo cual atenta contra la libertad de prensa en general y la posibilidad fundamental de denunciar la corrupción y su impacto. Tanto la sociedad civil como los medios de comunicación desempeñan un rol clave en la prevención de la corrupción y las medidas para combatirla. Debilitar a estos actores, especialmente en un momento en que las instituciones democráticas también están siendo puestas a prueba en varios países, limita la posibilidad de alcanzar una prosperidad duradera y reducir las desigualdades.

Was she or wasn’t she.

That’s the question opinionated Pinoys are asking themselves the morning after Hillary Rodham Clinton’s charm offensive in Manila.

Oh yes, the American Secretary of State punched the right buttons as she gamely fielded questions about who her crushes were other than Bill  Clinton, her favourite NBA team, and her prediction that Manny Pacquiao would whip Miguel Cotto’s ass tomorrow at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

But did the top US diplomat hit a raw nerve when she spoke about how corruption “corrodes”?

Courtesy of my good friend Ellen Tordesillas, here’s the transcript of that portion of Sec. Clinton’s joint news conference with her Filipino counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo:

Question: Concerns re large troops in Afghanistan given concerns about corruption in Karzai government; talk about concerns of corruption and if they play role in determination of us war in Afghanistan?

Clinton: I continue to loath to share any advice received by the President in the course of his review. Its been an extremely thorough and thoughtful process and i will continue to honor the right of the President to hear from any of his government members or those outside government and to add that to the process of his decision making.

On the separate question with respect to corruption, lack of transparency, poor governance, absence of the rule of law, the concerns expressed not only by US but by others including PM Gordon Brown and many of our allies are ones that i share.

The Afghan government has to accept greater responsibility for its own defense by participating in training and deployment of an effective professional security force. It has to do more to respond to the legitimate needs of the people of afghan to deliver services….

The corruption issue really goes to the heart of whether the people of Afghan feel that the government is on their side, is working for them.

Corruption is corrosive in any society when leaders enrich themselves at the expense of their people when they put their own fortunes ahead of the fortune of their own people. It has a very unfortunate impact – people don’t trust the government. They don’t rely on the government. They can’t imagine a better life for themselves because they don’t think their leaders are working to obtain that for them. (Emphasis supplied)

We are concerned and we have expressed those concerns and we are looking for measures of accountability and transparency that will demonstrate a clear commitment to the kind of governance and outcomes that the people of Afghan deserve to see from their government And the international community should be able to look to as we move forward in our efforts to try to rid Afghan of terrorists that not only affect their lives but pose a threat to us and people around the world….

We look at it everyday in the State Department. (If) we are going to be providing development assistance, we wanna be sure it gets to where it’s intended. I have required that we look at every single contract that goes into Afghanistan ; that we do an in- depth review to try to determine if it is producing the results we expect; is the money actually improving the lives of the people of Afghanistan or not. So even before the review we were taking hard look at how business is conducted outside Afghanistan.

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So was Sec Clinton also nudging Malacanang?

As this corner observed yesterday, the Palace certainly isn’t saying if it felt alluded to, in much the same way that it kept a “who me” attitude when President Barack Obama used his inaugural speech one year ago and warned:

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

Anyone can play possum and just shrug off both the Obama and Clinton messages.

I’ve even heard some say that Clinton’s “lecture was an ill-considered intereference in the Philippines’ internal affairs and was a manifestation of America’s arrogation of the role of global policeman.”

But I think countries like the Philippines, whose of leaders have long displayed obeisance to Washington in exchange for both military and economic development aid, cannot escape the obligation to ‘behave’.

Up and until we put our own house into order by reforming our politics and elect leaders with true vision grounded on public welfare and not held captive by what I call ‘cadre/kumpadre politics’ but leaders who think, and decide with purpose, conviction, and independence.



I heard on the news the other day that the South African President, Jacob Zuma had been voted the best President of the year in Africa by the Kenneth Kaunda Foundation of good Governance and Accountability. He beat off competition from the ilk of Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Paul Biya (Cameroon) and the gadfly himslf, Mummar Gaddaffi (Libya).The award comes as a surprise because Zuma has just been in office for six months and has not had sufficient time to show his mettle or capabilities.

The chap is not popular in South African circles (afterall, he was sacked by his former boss, Thabo Mbeki of the ANC after been charged for the offenses of rape and corruption).Under his watch, Crime has gone up a staggering 75% and Robberies, Muggings and Carjackings have become very common.Zuma has not done much to combat the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS and is widely derided for admitting to having consensual sex with an AIDS victim without the use of condoms.

Zuma is not a fit and proper person to be a recipient of the award. There are more deserving cases. Like the President of Botswana who has done much to curb global warming and inflation in his country. The Mauritius President should also have had a shot at the award. His country has one of the most stable economies in the continent.

Better still, the President of Nigeria, Umaru Yar Adua should have gotten the nod for bringing peace to the Niger Delta region of his country and for his fight against corruption. These are chaps who deserve the gong, not a basket case like Jacob Zuma.

Speaker: Vinay Nair, LSE

Moderator: Wilson Tan (SIPA/LKYSPP) – Rapporteur: Kayo Matsushita (Tokyo University)

Problem

Kleptocracy in Africa

G20 has pointed out the following in Africa;

• To ensure promised funding made available for sustainable development,
• Tackling tax havens ‘grey listed’ by the OECD.

However the cost of achieving this is high and with the financial crisis things became more difficult. Africa needs an additional funding of 27 billion dollars per annum by 2015.

Definition of Kleptorcacy

To strengthen personal power, using state funds; even pretending as honest service.

It’s a phenomenon which is hard to measure though efforts have been made. A study was carried out by UK All Party Parliamentary Group.

Analysis

TIEAs (Tax Information Exchange Agreements)

Three TIEAs have been signed so far with France and UK but African leaders were not included in the negotiations. As to why this happened, following hypothesis has been formulated;

Hypothesis

• Obviation may suit many African leaders.
• Role for African Union – joint liable model, 1 meta- agreement, all 52 nations are not mutually accountable .

Kleptocracy is at the very roots, corruption itself has to be tackled.

Given obviation risk from both African and swiss leaders, what role other countries leaders, particular G20 leaders should play:

• Financial crisis aftermath should be accepted as a reality
• Alternative funding sources should be found
• The ‘root cause’ of the problem should be tackled

Possible Solutions

Giving the means to the African leaders, backed by the will of the international community.

• This is an important policy window and we risk it closing – 12 bilateral TIEAs with OECD countries but no African nations have been included
• Enforcing adoption of 13^th TIEA gives an opportunity to tackle kleptocracy
• gain a new source of income to close funding gaps
• Must be on the Agenda for next G20 summit in Huntsville, Canada, June 2010
• Precedent must be established for other ‘grey listed’ countries and other kleptocratic regions of the world

Question and Answers

How to motivate the G20 leaders?

• Leaders who really want to tackle the issue should be engaged
• Stronger regulations, institutions are required
• Additional/Alternative source of funding is essential

Speaker: Sawako Inada, The University of Tokyo

Moderator: Wilson Tan (SIPA/LKYSPP) – Rapporteur: Kayo Matsushita (Tokyo University)

Problem

While Chinese aid has become more influential today, it is problematic because characteristics of Chinese aid are quite different from other donors. Sometimes Chinese aid is criticized due to lack of humanitarian consideration, lack of good governance and so on.

Question

How we can cooperate with China?

Analysis

Characteristics of Chinese Aid

No conditionality

Mutual approach

• Variety and irrelevance of aid giving actors and styles (various ministries are concerned in aid)

It is difficult for China to join in the Development Assistance Committee because;

• Its loan is basically tied aid,
• There’s a lack of information sharing environment

Why Zambia?

China and Zambia go way back and now since Zambia is found to be rich in natural resources, Chinese interest is quite evident.

History of Chinese aid to Zambia

From the 2007 onwards, Chinese aid has increased significantly. However the nature of aid is now changing;

Difference in 1997 and 2007 projects

• Tazara railway(1970s): china delivered assistance w/o gaining any resources

Downsides: The aid was considered low quality as it was without any conditionalities; there was no cooperation with other donors, thus undermining the other aid in Zambia

• Special Economic Zones, 2006 made China’s Economic interests quite obvious. On one hand it helped in job creation and increased exports. On the other hand, lack of transparency, low quality of management, ill treatment of labors,  showed that there was no proper evaluation system.

Solution

China: to continue to make efforts to improve the quality of the aid

Other donors : to support China and Zambia

Zambia: to improve “Governance”; especially policy management with all donors involved in the development of Zambia, and accountability

China doesn’t want to join the donor groups, but it can enhance Zambian participation by giving options to recipient.

Question and Answers

Does China provide opportunity for the other donors to cooperate? Is there any chance to support china?

China is a developing country. Though indirect cooperation has been taking place already, no official framework or data exists to support the statement.

Speaker: Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN

Problem

The need to build a coherent global governance structure that reconciles hegemony of nation states with global constitutions (regulation and coordination) based upon resilient states and effective global organizations such as the World Bank. This equilibrium includes promoting a balanced relationship between states and international multinational corporations (MNCs).

1. An inadequate public power constellation at the international level – lack of a strong institutional setup that can balance the interest of the hegemony and that of global constitutions.
2. A lack of social contract with the role of the state at the nucleus [illustrated with Haiti as example – issues of human rights, lack of focus on women’s development (more than 50% of population), repeated UN peacekeeping missions, etc]. Fragile state is related to the low institutional capacity of the government whereas the failed state has no institutional capacity at all to deliver public goods.
3. Lack of relevance, legitimacy & effectiveness of the World Bank as an important international actor. There is a current aid fragmentation internationally with too many actors involved.
4. Lack of clarity in roles/relationship between state and large MNCs (e.g. ExxonMobil) for sustainable development – issues of equity, self-interest, power dynamics, etc.

Analysis

Tension within the current structure

• Inter-, intra- and international levels: hegemony (within a scale from coercion, i.e. “imperialism” to consensus, i.e. “leadership”) and constitutionalism
• The right of a global constitution to override the power of a national state and its national sovereignty BUT there is also the possibility of mutual interdependent and counter-influencing effects between hegemony and constitutionalism – potential convengence for the future (hegelian dynamics)
• Political actor (who is the hegemon?) and the global norms. The powerful decides the norms. How do we find the delicate balance between hegemony and constitutionalism?
• Political actors, potential for political manipulation and increasing demand for services
• Provision of basic public services (institutional capacity of government), political actors (interests & strategies) and impact on households (demographics & socioeconomic conditions)
• Decreasing world aid from various sources (public and private) with increasing need for aid (both arising from the global economic crisis)
• State and large MNCs’ viewpoints: State (as owner of resource) and large MNCs (as service providers) VS large MNCs as owners of assets

Growing need to reform World Bank to increase accountability and flexibility (institutional weaknesses). The World Bank can be a valuable instrument to mitigate the impact of decreasing aid from various sources (“affordable” means to channel aid) and future crises on the developing world while ensuring the sustainability and predictability of aid flows. However, G20 is the key to reforms. They need to have the necessary motivation to carry out the necessary reforms of the World Bank. And in failing to do so, the World Bank runs the risk of becoming irrelevant in the post-crisis.

Solutions and Strategies

To create an institutional framework that reconciliate hegemony of nations with global constitution with the following core features:

• A global community structured around an agglomeration of power (beyond mere national state level) repsenting the bearer of universal values such as solidarity, dynamic development, equality and pluralism.
• A global legal order to further integration and interaction with institutions conceived on regional principle.
• Balance can only be implemented on a case by case basis because different hegemonies has different power dynamices with the global constituions.

To implement the framework for the social contract with the following core features:

• Coordinate aid among the donors so as to lessen the burden on the state.
• The state should be the main provider of basic services with its state legitimacy established through regulations.
• Reforms to overcome fragile states have to be wider than security; it needs to include improvement of socio-economic conditions, distribution of political power and stronger institutional capacity of the government.

To reform the World Bank with the following core features:

• First critical thing is to change the structure of G20; the countries involved will change the dynamics in order to deliver better aid effectiveness.
• A reinforced and refined poverty-alleviation mandate, including a clarity on global public goods
• A broad and deep reform of the Bank’s governance structure, including the board size, function, accountability and voice, and human resources matters to include greater diversity, accountability and breadth of knowledge/competency of staff
• An improvement in the World Bank’s traditional business model to respond to the current crisis and the changing needs of its shareholders

To understand the dynamics of power between state and large MNCs

• Prisoners’ dilemma illustrates the payoff and the relationship, in this case, profits = power. Hence, there is a need to balance out the power between the state and the MNCs as owners of resources into a mutually dependent and beneficial relationship through an external mechanism of enforcement. They need to be “taught” to choose the cooperative option.

“Mujiarto Karuk” <mkaruk@yahoo.com>

Nasional-List, 10 Nopember 2009

Assalamualaikum Wr Wb

Bissmillaahirrohmaa nirrohiim

“Dan katakanlah: “Bekerjalah kamu, maka Allah dan Rasul-Nya serta orang-orang mukmin akan melihat pekerjaanmu itu, dan kamu akan dikembalikan kepada (Allah) Yang Mengetahui akan yang gaib dan yang nyata, lalu diberitakan- Nya kepada kamu apa yang telah kamu kerjakan”. QS. At-Taubah (9) ayat 105.

Sebagai sebuah sistem hidup yang paripurna, yang berasal dari sang Pencipta yang Maha sempurna, Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla, Islam memiliki sejumlah cara yang sangat gamblang untuk menanggulangi berbagai masalah manusia, khususnya dalam upaya mencegah terjadinya kasus korupsi, suap-menyuap dan maraknya mafia peradilan. Di antaranya adalah sebagai berikut:

1. Sistem penggajian yang layak.

Sebagai manusia biasa, para pejabat / birokrat tentu memerlukan uang untuk mencukupi kebutuhan diri dan keluarganya, Untuk itu, agar bisa bekerja dengan tenang dan tak tergoda untuk berbuat curang, mereka harus diberi gaji serta fasilitas yang layak. Rasul saw. bersabda yang artinya :

“Siapa yang bekerja untukku dalam keadaan tidak beristri, hendaklah menikah; atau tidak memiliki pelayan, hendaklah mengambil pelayan; atau tidak mempunyai rumah, hendaklah mengambil rumah; atau tidak mempunyai tunggangan (kendaraan), hendaknya mengambil kendaraan. Siapa saja yang mengambil selain itu, dia curang atau pencuri !”. (HR Abu Dawud).

2. Larangan suap dan menerima hadiah.

Tentang suap, Rasulullah saw. bersabda yang artinya :

“Laknat Allah atas penyuap dan penerima suap”. (HR Abu Dawud).

Dan tentang larangan menerima hadiah, Rasul saw. juga bersabda yang artinya :

“Tidak pantas seorang petugas yang kami utus datang dan berkata, “Ini untuk Anda, sementara ini adalah hadiah yang diberikan untuk saya.” Mengapa ia tidak duduk-duduk saja di rumah bapak dan ibunya, lalu memperhatikan, apakah ia akan mendapatkan hadiah atau tidak ?”. (HR al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad dan Abu Dawud).

3. Penghitungan kekayaan pejabat.

Agar tidak berbuat curang, Khalifah Umar ra. selalu menghitung kekayaan para pejabatnya di awal dan di akhir jabatannya. Jika terdapat kenaikan tidak wajar, Khalifah Umar ra. akan memaksa mereka untuk menyerahkan kelebihan itu kepada negara (Lihat: Thabaqât Ibn Sa’ad, Târîkh al-Khulafâ’ as-Suyuthi).

4. Teladan dari pemimpin.

Dengan keteladan pemimpin, tindakan atas penyimpangan akan terdeteksi secara dini. Penyidikan dan penindakan juga tidak sulit dilakukan. Khalifah Umar ra., misalnya, pernah menyita sendiri seekor unta gemuk milik putranya, Abdullah bin Umar ra. Pasalnya, unta tersebut kedapatan ada bersama beberapa unta lain yang digembalakan di padang rumput milik negara. Khalifah Umar ra. menilai hal tersebut sebagai penyalahgunaan fasilitas negara.

5. Hukuman setimpal.

Pada dasarnya orang akan takut menerima risiko yang akan mencelakakan dirinya, Hukuman dalam Islam memang berfungsi sebagai zawâjir (pencegah). Dengan hukuman setimpal atas koruptor, misalnya, pejabat akan berpikir seribu kali untuk melakukan korupsi. Dalam hukum Islam, korupsi merupakan kejahatan yang pelakunya wajib dikenai hukuman ta’zîr. Bentuknya bisa berupa hukuman tasyhîr (dipermalukan di depan umum), hukuman kurungan, dll; tentu disertai dengan penyitaan hasil korupsi oleh negara. Khalifah Umar bin Abdul Aziz, misalnya, pernah menetapkan sanksi hukuman cambuk dan penahanan dalam waktu lama terhadap koruptor (Ibn Abi Syaibah, Mushannaf Ibn Abi Syaibah, V/528; Mushannaf Abd ar-Razaq, X/209). Adapun Khalifah Umar bin al-Khaththab ra. Pernah menyita seluruh harta pejabatnya yang dicurigai sebagai hasil korupsi.

6. Pengawasan masyarakat.

Masyarakat jelas turut berperan dalam menyuburkan atau menghilangkan korupsi. Jika di dalam masyarakat tumbuh budaya anti korupsi, insya Allah masyarakat akan berperan efektif dalam mengawasi setiap tindakan para birokrat sehingga korupsi bisa dicegah.

7. Pengendalian diri dengan iman yang teguh.

Korupsi atau tidak, pada akhirnya memang berpulang pada kekuatan iman dan kontrol diri para birokrat itu sendiri. Dengan iman yang teguh, ia akan merasa selalu diawasi Allah SWT dan selalu takut untuk melakukan penyelewengan yang akan membawanya pada azab neraka.

Wahai kaum Muslim:

“Dan janganlah kamu campur adukkan yang hak dengan yang batil dan janganlah kamu sembunyikan yang hak itu, sedang kamu mengetahui. QS. Al-Baqarah (2) ayat 42, perjuangan untuk menegakkan sistem Pemerintahan yang bersih tidak boleh berhenti, selain karena ia merupakan kewajiban dari Allah SWT atas umat Islam, juga menjadi sumber kemaslahatan dan rahmat bagi kaum Muslim, bahkan bagi umat manusia seluruhnya. Allah SWT berfirman : “Tiadalah Kami mengutus engkau (Muhammad), melainkan untuk menjadi rahmat bagi semesta alam”. QS Al-Anbiya’ (21) : 107.

Sumber : Media Tabloit Umat

Asi se ve el futuro para el ex presidente Nestor Kirchner cuando intenta posicionarse nuevamente como lider del Partido Justicialista. Un liderazgo que perdió hace rato pero que envalentonado por las leyes impuestas por la mayoría parlamentaria juega sus últimas fichas a todo o nada.
Mientras larga a sus perros de presa por las calles para captar clientes para los sindicatos afines.¿Cuál será la fórmula que susurra en los oidos indicados para el 2011?

It’s not just euphoria that characterizes Noynoy Aquino’s candidacy, it is also stricken by a number of dilemmas and these will surely lose votes for Noynoy if he will not solve it as soon as possible.

Noynoy’s middle name is Cojuangco and that name is attached with a lot of connotations. On top of them is the concept of hacienderos and Hacienda Luisita, a 6,400 hectare sugar estate and a spate of unresolved issues on agrarian reform and the relations between peasants and landlords. If Noynoy will not lead his family in resolving the issue, it will remain as a stigma, a very bad one, in his campaign.

This is a test of leadership for Noynoy. If he delivers well, then votes will surely be delivered to him.

Another dilemma is his campaign itself. It has been months since Noynoy declared his intention to seek the highest post in the land but he is yet to release his platform of governance. Anyone who intends to lead this battered country, battered from incompetence and corruption and battered from typhoons and natural disasters, should have a clear goal towards eradicating the nation out of it. Noynoy’s candidacy has a lot of euphoria that stemmed from the death of his mother but it still lacks substance and that’s what we need most.

His position on the Reproductive Health Bill is another. Antonio Montalvan II, in his column today at the Inquirer, revealed how Noynoy actually double-talked on his position towards the matter. He said his opposition towards a family member who happens to be a nun but declared his support in a meeting with a monsignor in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. That’s definitely “balimbing” in Filipino context and that’s what traditional politicians are. Once and for all, Noynoy should reveal his real position on this crucial legislation.

Noynoy, with the memories of his parents and the idea of democracy with him, surely draws inspiration among the Filipino people. He stirs hope among us. Hope that has long transformed into despair after nine years of hopelessness that the current government gave. Hope that has resurfaced after he surfaced as a presidential aspirant.

But let these hopes be not false hopes that will just lead the Filipino people into delusion. Let this be a hope that is accompanied with leadership and strong will that will stir this nation towards progress and development.

“Setiap Pergerakan Hebat Dan Berpengaruh Dalam Rangkaian Kejadian Di Dunia Ini Merupakan Kejayaan Dari Antusiasme. Tidak Ada Kehebatan Apa Pun Yang Dapat Dicapai Tanpanya.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Role play atau permainan peran adalah salah satu sesi penting di setiap pelatihan karyawan. Melalui role play suasana pelatihan menjadi penuh tawa dan kritis. Suasana ngantuk pun bisa berubah menjadi penuh gairah. Intinya, role play selalu mampu memberikan energi yang membuat para peserta tetap bersemangat bersama acara pelatihan. Jadi, Semakin sering para peserta tertawa kritis, maka semakin hidup dan bergairah acara pelatihan tersebut.

Dalam sebuah acara pelatihan good corporate governance – etika bisnis, saya membuat sebuah role play dengan skenario yang sangat sederhana, tapi bisa mengundang lelucon, tawa, dan sikap kritis peserta. Bunyi skenarionya seperti berikut,”  isteri Anda dicurigai telah menerima komisi dari mitra bisnis perusahaan Anda. Dan, Anda adalah orang yang ikut membuat keputusan terhadap tender perusahaan dengan mitra bisnis tersebut. Perusahaan memiliki bukti-bukti aliran dana dari mitra bisnis ke rekening isteri Anda. Sekarang Anda sedang diperiksa oleh tim GCG. Bagaimana cara Anda menjelaskan hal ini kepada atasan dan departemen GCG?”

Untuk skripnya bersifat bebas, di mana para peserta harus secara spontan mengeluarkan kata-kata dialog atau pun monolog sesuai suara hati mereka. Intinya, skenario di atas hanyalah sebagai petunjuk dasar, dan semua permainan peran dilakukan secara bebas sesuai suara hati nurani para peserta.

Biasanya setelah pertunjukkan drama “role play” selesai, pasti akan ada diskusi dan perdebatan. Dan, kebetulan di acara pelatihan ini ada seorang peserta yang begitu antusias dan sedikit ngotot. Si peserta berkata,” kalau saya dijebak bagaimana, mungkin saya tidak tahu tentang aliran uang itu, dan mungkin isteri saya juga ikut menjebak saya.” Sepertinya si peserta telah terhipnotis dengan drama “role play” tersebut, dan menjadi begitu perasa dan sensitif dengan setiap kata-kata yang diucapkan oleh para pelakon drama tersebut.

Demikianlah ketika saya sedang menonton drama cecak versus buaya di TV, saya malah teringat drama “role play”  di acara pelatihan GCG tersebut, suasananya hampir mirip, tapi di acara pelatihan GCG semuanya kami akhiri dengan suasana manis dan indah buat pengendalian diri yang lebih baik di masa depan.

Hidup ini adalah belajar dari kesalahan dan kesombongan, ketika kita sadar dan tulus untuk memperbaiki kesalahan dan menghapus sikap sombong kita, maka kita pun akan tumbuh menjadi lebih bermanfaat buat kehidupan banyak orang.

Di dalam setiap sesi role play, saya selalu ingin mengajarkan nilai-nilai moral, nilai-nilai moral yang mampu membedakan tentang benar dan salah, tentang baik dan buruk. Sebab, sekali kita menjadi pribadi yang tak mampu membedakan mana yang baik dan buruk, dan mana yang benar dan salah, maka kita akan berada dalam skenario kehidupan yang penuh dengan energi negatif, yang membuat diri kita terjebak bersama penderitaan batin untuk selama-lamanya.

Untuk seminar/training hubungi www.ninecorporatetrainer.com

Source : TV Selangor

Ahli Parlimen Klang,Charles Santiago berpendapat sekiranya kerajaan gagal menangani skandal PKFZ, ia akan membawa kesan yang buruk kepada Barisan Nasional dalam menghadapi piliharaya akan datang.

Menurutnya,isu yang membabitkan bekas Menteri Pengangkutan Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy,dan bekas Pengurus Besar Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang, Datuk Paduka OC Phang merupakan kes pecah amanah terbesar di Malaysia setakat ini.

“Kalau mereka tidak mengendalikan hal ini dengan bagus,maka ada kemungkinan besar Barisan Nasional akan kena hebat dalam pilihanraya akan datang,” katanya kepada TV Selangor.

Charles meragui laporan awal yang dikeluarkan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) selepas perbincangan dengan JAwatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) yang mengumumkan kedua dua yang disyaki, tidak melanggar undang-undang.

Kes yang telah dilaporkan sejak tahun 2003 itu dipandang sepi oleh pihak SPRM yang lebih berminat menyiasat Exco-exco di Selangor.

Charles turut mencadangkan supaya Najib untuk meminta Peguam Negara mengheret mereka yang terlibat ke muka pengadilan sekiranya kerajaan pimpinan Perdana Menteri itu bena-benar mahu bebas dari gejala rasuah.

“Cadangan saya sebenarnya ialah Najib mesti memberi arahan kepada pihak AG,katakan kepada AG,gunakan cadangan ini,heret semua yang terlibat ke mahkamah,terus,jangan bincang.Itu akan menunjukkan keseriusan dalam menangani masalah kanser rasuah ini di Malaysia,”katanya.

Negara dikejutkan dengan pendedahan laporan PAC dalam Sidang Parlimen,yang mendedahkan individu yang terlibat dalam Skandal PKFZ menelan belanja RM4billion itu.

PAC mengesyorkan suapaya SPRM dan polis menyiasat Kong Choy dan O.C. Phang membabitkan pecah amanah berhubung projek berkenaan.

Kedua-dua mereka harus disiasat berhubung tiga surat sokongan yang dikeluarkan Chan dan tiga surat akujanji oleh Phang, mengikut laporan PAC berhubung PKFZ yang diedarkan di Dewan Rakyat Rabu lalu.

Press Statement by Member of Parliament Klang Charles Satiago in Parliament on 5th Nov 2009

Once again we see the shadow play by the government, spiced with all the local ingredients of cronyism, rhetoric, cocktail of business and politics and topped with total disregard for accountability.

This pretty much sums up the shocking non-committal statement made by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who opined that the government would consider legal action against those recommended by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for implications in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal only if there is a need to do so.

The PAC after much inquiry strongly suggested that the government investigates former Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy and former Port Klang Authority (PKA) general manager O.C.Phang for criminal breach of trust.

Najib’s response is to wait for the special task force, set-up under the Chief Secretary to the Government, to determine if legal action is needed against the two.

Conventional wisdom has it that there would be no conflict of interest where members of the high level committee are concerned. But here, we see the exact opposite as ministry officials serving in the committee were also sitting on the PKA and PKFZ board.

They were privy to the back door deals and yet did nothing to uphold their responsibility as representatives of the state and failed to protect and promote the interests of the state and its people.

The PKFZ financial fraud is a RM 12.5 billion scandal, made worse with the leak of a cabinet paper, which revealed the government was fully aware that Chan had breached regulations when issuing letters of support. This is turn, helped PKFZ’s developer Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd to raise billions in bonds.

The PAC concluded that both Chan and Phang had breached the Financial Procedure Act 1957 and other government regulations by issuing the letters of support and three letters of undertaking without the approval of the Finance Ministry.

But Najib wants more proof. Either that or he is hoping that the scandal would simply go away because clearly the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transportation must have been aware of the financial manipulations and yet did not even make a feeble attempt to stop the abuse.

Given the dynamics and scale of the financial misappropriation, Najib’s mere assurance that the government “would not cover up any weaknesses or offence committed” is not enough. While investigations by the special committee is akin to those sitting on the panel investigating themselves, Najib’s insistence could only be translated as a fervent effort to cover-up.

Najib’s suggestion also undermines the PAC and the democratic process. Here, a government special task force is empowered to overrule the highest policy making body in the country. In fact, the PAC would potentially be subordinated to the whims and fancies of Najib’s special task force.

The call for a Royal Commission of Enquiry is welcomed. However, given the Lingam tape fiasco and IPCMC recommendations that came to a naught, this offers no solution for justice to Malaysians. In fact, the commission would be an absolute waste of time and resources.

My view is that the government machinery is culpable and thus on trial in this case. Reports were made to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), police and Securities Commission about the financial embezzlement but nothing was done.

Instead we need a thorough neutral probe. Therefore, I strongly suggest that Najib hands over the PAC report to the Attorney-General, Abdul Gani Patail, with strict instructions to start proceedings against Chan, Phang and other government officials named.

Najib must personally oversee that Abdul Gani acts on his orders as the country’s highest judicial officer was also well aware of the PKFZ scandal but chose to remain silent instead of prosecuting the culprits.

If Najib and Abdul Gani fail to act, Malaysians would contend with my observations and it would also suggest that 1Malaysia is synonymous with corruption. We might either get a glimpse of justice or be confronted with the fact that political survival has, once again, determined the course of the government’s politics.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang

016 626 7797

————————————————————————————————————————————-

巴生国会议员查尔斯圣地亚哥文告，2009年11月5日于国会。

巴生港口自贸区弊案 联邦政府应被审判

我们再次看到政府主导的皮影戏，内容尽是朋党、花言巧语、官商勾结和全无责任感。

首相纳吉对此弊案的总结是惊人地不置可否，他说政府将考虑国会公账委员会提出的法律诉讼建议，如果需要的话。

国会公账委员会在诸多审查巴生港口自贸区弊案后，建议以刑事失信的条文，调查前交通部长陈广才和前巴生港务局总经理冯惠珠。

纳吉的回应是等待由政府首席秘书丹斯里莫哈末西迪领导的特别工作队决定是否需要采取法律行动对付二人。

常识告诉我们利益冲突不被允许，特别是高级别的委员会。但是在此却截然相反，参与委员会的部门官员同时是巴生港务局和巴生港口自贸区的董事。

他们通过秘密幕后交易，没有尽民意代表的责任，无法保障和提倡国家和人民的利益。

巴生港口自贸区欺诈案是高达125亿令吉的大丑闻。更糟糕的是一份泄漏的内阁文件指出政府完全知道陈广才违反条例发出支持信，以协助巴生港口自贸区发展商Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd发出数以十亿令吉的债卷集资。

国会公账委员会总结，陈广才和冯慧珠两人在没有财政部同意下，发出支持信和三封同意书，已违反1957年财务程序法令和其它政府条例。

但是纳吉要更多证据，或者他希望这个丑闻会自动销声匿迹。因为财政部和交通部一定知道这些金融条例和内部操纵，但是没人尝试停止这些滥权行为。

考量到这个金融丑闻的影响力和规模，纳吉确保政府“不会掩盖任何弱点和违法行为”的言论并不足够。当特别工作队的成员展开调查，这意味他们自己在调查自己，纳吉坚持要特工队调查的言论只能被诠释为他企图掩盖真相。

纳吉的建议也让国会公账委员会的报告形同废纸和破坏民主程序。如此，一个政府的特工队被赋予权力推翻国家最高决策机构的决定。实际上，国会公账委员会很可能变成纳吉特工队的从属。

我欢迎成立皇家调查委员会的呼吁。但是，皇委会针对林甘丑闻和独立警察投诉与行为不检委员会（IPCMC）的建议至今仍无法落实，这个建议不是给予大马人的正义方案。实际上，该皇委会完全浪费时间和资源。

我的看法是政府机关在这个丑闻上该被责怪和被审判。向反贪委员会、警察和证卷委员会的投报都无济于事。

与其展开一个独立的调查，我强烈建议纳吉把国会公账委员会的报告交给总检察长阿都干尼，给予严厉的指示，审问陈广才、冯慧珠和其他被点名的官员。

纳吉必须亲自监督阿都干尼，确保这位政府最高司法官员根据他的指示行事。阿都干尼清楚知道巴生港口自贸区弊案的整个过程，但他非但不提控涉案人士，反而选择保持沉默。

如果纳吉和阿都干尼没有采取行动，大马人将认同一个大马是贪污的同义词。或许我们将获得正义的曙光，也或许为事实冲击，政治生存再次决定政府政治的方向。

查尔斯圣地亚哥

巴生国会议员

016 626 7797

“Bila Saya Membandingkan Situasi Ketika Saya Masih Bekerja Di Tahun 1996 An, Di Mana Saat Itu Bisnis Dijalankan Seperti Sopir Bis Yang Ngebut Di Pinggir Jurang, Maka Di Hari Ini Saya Melihat Ada Aturan Dan Kesantunan Untuk Menjalankan Bisnis Secara Beretika.”-Djajendra

Saat ini para pemegang saham di perusahaan-perusahaan besar sangat mewajibkan manajemen untuk mensosialisasikan etika bisnis kepada setiap lapisan pimpinan dan karyawan. Setelah mengikuti program internalisasi etika bisnis, para karyawan dan pimpinan juga wajib menandatangani semacam pakta integritas untuk bekerja berdasarkan etika bisnis. Intinya, pihak pemegang saham sangat serius untuk membangun kualitas sumber daya manusia perusahaannya agar mampu berhubungan secara profesional dengan setiap stakeholders.

Perkembangan saat ini menunjukkan bahwa etika bisnis sudah tidak sekedar teori dan wacana, tapi telah menjangkau kepada program internalisasi ke mind set karyawan dan pimpinan. Jelas, semua ini adalah program lanjutan dari implementasi prinsip-prinsip good corporate governance.

Saya menyerap dari berbagai pembicaraan dan pelatihan good corporate governance yang saya berikan, pemegang saham bersama-sama manajemen perusahaan sangat menginginkan praktik-praktik bisnis yang bersih dan jujur. Hal ini mengindikasikan bahwa perusahaan – perusahaan Indonesia sedang menuju kepada praktik-praktik bisnis yang sehat dan penuh tanggung jawab. Semua ini adalah titik terang untuk terciptanya sistem ekonomi Indonesia yang berkredibilitas tinggi.  Saya selalu optimis dan percaya bahwa praktik-praktik bisnis di Indonesia akan menjadi contoh terbaik di dunia.

Setiap langkah menginternalisasi etika bisnis kepada sumber daya manusia perusahaan menjadi semacam konfirmasi kuat bagi stakeholders, akan keseriusan perusahaan untuk berbisnis dengan cara-cara yang penuh etika dan tanggung jawab.

Secara pasti niat implementasi good corporate governance di Indonesia ternyata berjalan sangat  luar biasa. Bila saya membandingkan situasi ketika saya masih bekerja di tahun 1997 an, di mana saat itu bisnis dijalankan seperti sopir bis yang ngebut di pinggir jurang, maka di hari ini saya melihat ada aturan dan kesantunan untuk menjalankan bisnis secara beretika. Walaupun semua ini masih dalam proses menuju ke cara yang lebih baik. Artinya, semenjak good corporate governance di perkenalkan di Indonesia sekitar tahun 2000 an, hasilnya cukup baik dan good corporate governance saya anggap cukup sukses memberikan banyak  hal positif  buat dunia korporasi Indonesia.

Sistem dan gagasan untuk menjalankan etika bisnis di perusahaan secara profesional akan menciptakan budaya korporasi yang mendukung keunggulan di dalam kompetisi global. Dan, semua ini akan menciptakan efisiensi dan efektifitas di semua aspek kerja perusahaan.

Semangat pemegang saham untuk menginternalisasikan etika bisnis di semua kalangan pejabat dan pegawai dalam perusahaannya dan juga terhadap para stakeholdersnya akan menjadikan perusahaan semakin kuat, sehat, dan kompetitif. Di samping itu, setiap stakeholders juga harus saling mendukung untuk menjalankan etika bisnis secara profesional.

Pelaksanaan etika bisnis secara total, hanya bisa dilakukan jika ada kesadaran dan kejujuran di antara setiap stakeholders untuk berkomitmen menjalankan praktik-praktik bisnis yang sehat, adil, bermoral dan jujur.

Untuk seminar/training hubungi www.ninecorporatetrainer.com

In its latest Least Development Country Report , UNCTAD is reflecting on the impact of the financial crisis on the 49 LDCs and is stipulating a move from “good governance” to “good development governance”. The report describes the weaknesses of the current “good governance” trend that has trapped many development agencies and governments, and provides recommendations on how to improve the impact of good governance interventions through a move to good development governance.

“Development governance is about the processes, policies and institutions associated with purposefully promoting national development and ensuring a socially legitimate and inclusive distribution of its costs and benefits”

http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=11721&intItemID=2097&lang=1

The UNCTAD LDC reports are an annual highlight, I strongly recommend that you take a look at this document.

Source : Malaysian Mirror 2/11/09

Monday, 02 November 2009 15:43

PETALING JAYA – The authorities should make public the details surrounding the Rawang-Ipoh double tracking project, says Klang MP Charles Santiago.

While the Public Accounts Committee has given an assurance that it would conduct a thorough probe, the public must first know who are involved in this project, he said.

Allocations made to the contractors, names of politicians involved, terms in which contracts were awarded and concrete reasons for the delay should be revealed to the public, he said in a press statement.

Accountability paramount

He said the issue came on the heels of the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco. The 2008 Auditor-General’s report had stated cost overruns exceeding RM1.3bil in the 179km rail double tracking project.

“Whatever happened to accountability? We thought the Port Klang Free Zone scandal was the last of the financial fraud running into billions of ringgit?” said Santiago.

The original contract value of the railway project was RM4.34bil but it has since escalated by RM1.43bil to RM5.77bil as at December 2008.

“Both mega projects have already cost the nation about RM14bil or every Malaysian RM520. This does not include losses from direct negotiations of contracts estimated at RM28bil as revealed by a local newspaper,” said Santiago.

The government must take stern action and punish the culprits to regain the confidence of the public and investors, he said.

Heavy price to pay

Santiago said there were irregularities involving Emrail Sdn Bhd, the railway engineering specialist signed on as one of the sub-contractors in the project.

Quoting the Auditor-General’s report, Santiago said Emrail Sdn Bhd had only completed 56.9% of the project given the deadline of Dec 10,  2003.

The government might now have to absorb part of the RM1.14bil loss brought about by delays in implementation, not keeping to the standards imposed in the infrastructural development leading to the infrastructure not being fully optimised and the procurement of extra equipment and coaches.

DRB-Hicom was the original contractor of the project but the contract was terminated because it failed to complete the package.

The project was subsequently delivered by UEM Construction Sdn Bhd. After multiple delays, the project, which was supposed to be completed in 2002,  was finally finished in January last year.

Last Updated on Monday, 02 November 2009 17:55

Promjena klime dovela je do nastanka milijuna ekoloških izbjeglica, koji su prisiljeni napuštati svoje domove zbog pogoršanja okolišnih uvjeta povezanih s klimatskim promjenama. Radi širenja pustinja, poplava, podizanja razina mora i intenzivniji ekstremnih vremenskih događaja, dio ovih izbjeglica nikada se neće vratiti u svoje zavičaje u Aziji, Africi, Južnoj Americi….

Tužno je to što većina izbjeglica potiče iz siromašnih tako zvanih „zemalja trećeg svijeta“ gdje inače žive najranjiviji ljudi u vrlo osjetljivim ekosustavima, koji su ujedno i najmanje doprinijeli zagađenjima, stvaranju i gomilanju CO2. O ekološkim izbjeglicama, prvim žrtvama neoliberalnog tehnologijskog rasta, malo se piše u medijima, jer su oni nepoželjni svjedoci današnjice.

Environmental Justice Foundation je organizacija koja je svoje aktivnosti usmjerila na pomaganje i zaštitu ljudi i planeta. Svoj rad su utemeljili na stvaranju izrvane veze između potrebe za ekološku pravdu i sigurnosti i obranu temeljnih ljudskih prava na život u zdravom okolišu.

Environmental Justice Foundation, sa sjedištem u Londonu, fokusirana je na zemlje izvan europskog kontinenta te djeluje u Brazilu, Vijetnamu, Maliju, Sijera Leoneu, Uzbekistanu, Mauricijusu i Indoneziji. Trenutno provodi šest kampanja: protiv prisilnog rada djece na poljima i pogonima za proizvodnju pamuka, a povezano s tim vode kampanje o zabrani upotrebe smrtonosnih pesticida na bazi endosulfana.
Također vode javne kampanje protiv šteta u dragocjenim prirodnim staništima u obalnim područjima, a koje izazivaju forsirane farme za masovnu proizvodnju škamp, te protiv gusraskog ribolova kojeg strane korporacije rade u zemljama u razvoju, a prouzrokuju ogromne štete ribljem fondu jer milijune tona ulova nekvalitetne ribe ubijaju i bacaju natrag u more.

Environmental Justice Foundation pokrenula je i kampanju protiv ilegalne trgovine životinja i biljaka iz duboke divljine, jer smanjenje populacije divljih životinja i egzotičnih biljaka dovelo je već do izumiranja vrsta.

“Ketika Orang Bijaksana Meragukan Kejujuran Lingkungannya Untuk Menciptakan Kebaikan, Maka Keyakinan Dan Kepercayaan Diri Telah Tergoncangkan Oleh Badai Keraguan.” – Djajendra

Kejujuran adalah sifat dan perilaku yang sangat mulia. Ketika kejujuran menjadi kesepakatan dalam setiap hubungan dengan para stakeholders, maka semangat good corporate governance di perusahaan pasti dapat diwujudkan secara baik. Persoalannya, sering sekali perusahaan sudah berjuang keras untuk menjalankan praktik-praktik bisnis yang sehat dan bersih, tapi kelakukan tidak sehat dan tidak bersih dari segelintir stakeholders membuat kerja keras perusahaan tersebut kandas di dalam ketidakjujuran.

Di sela-sela makan siang pelatihan etika bisnis di Grand Jatra Hotel, Pekan Baru, Riau. Saya duduk satu meja dengan dirut dari perusahaan yang sedang saya training tersebut. Sambil mencicipi makan siang yang nikmat itu, si dirut curhat, si dirut merasa telah berjuang mati-matian untuk menjalankan etika bisnis dan prinsip-prinsip good corporate governance dengan sebersih-bersihnya, dan di internal perusahaan hal ini berhasil, tapi saat perusahaan berhubungan dengan para stakeholdersnya, perusahaan sangat sulit untuk mempertahankan nilai-nilai praktik bisnis yang bersih, jujur, dan penuh tanggung jawab.

Sebagai trainer dan motivator, saya harus membesarkan hati si dirut, saya harus memperbesar semangatnya agar beliau tidak menyerah diperjalanan sucinya untuk membangun korporasi yang sehat dan kuat. Beliau adalah seorang dirut yang luar biasa jujur dan bersih, beliau telah banyak memberikan contoh-contoh keteladanan yang baik di internal perusahaannya, sehingga para karyawan tertular sikap jujur si dirut, dan pada umumnya standar kejujuran para karyawan di perusahaan ini sudah cukup tinggi. Artinya, integritas para karyawan sudah tidak perlu diragukan lagi, semuanya telah menjalankan tugas, tanggung jawab, fungsi, dan peran kerja mereka secara bijaksana. Semuanya telah menunjukkan kuantitas dan kualitas kerja yang luar biasa berbobot.

Setelah saya mendengar curhat si dirut, saya katakan bahwa tantangan akan selalu datang untuk menggoyang setiap niat baik dan kerja keras, tapi pemimpin yang unggul tidak akan pernah tergoncangkan oleh sikap dan perilaku tidak jujur dari pihak luar perusahaan.

Batas kekuasaan si dirut hanya sebatas perusahaan, begitu batasnya sudah di luar perusahaan, maka yang bertanggung jawab adalah seluruh masyarakat bersama-sama pemerintah. Jadi, kerja keras para pemimpin di internal perusahaan wajib didukung dengan kerja keras yang lebih jujur, lebih bersih, dan lebih penuh tanggung jawab dari setiap fungsi dan peran pemerintah dan masyarakat di dalam menciptakan lingkungan bisnis yang bersih, jujur, terbuka, adil, dan penuh tanggung jawab.  Bila masyarakat dan pemerintah kompak untuk membersihkan dan membuat setiap fungsi pelayanan menjadi jujur, bersih, terbuka, dan penuh tanggung jawab, maka si dirut yang jujur ini pasti akan lebih bersemangat di dalam dedikasinya untuk membangun perekonomian bangsa yang kuat melalui bidang usahanya.

Untuk seminar/training hubungi www.ninecorporatetrainer.com

Source : Malaysiakini

Christine Chan
Nov 2, 09
4:39pm

Klang parliamentarian Charles Santiago urged the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to haul up certain individuals and account for their failure to complete the Rawang-Ipoh double tracking and electrification project.

He said the PAC should summon Chief Judge Zaki Tun Azmi, former transport minister Chan Kong Choy, as well as DRB-Hicom and its subcontractors.

Zaki was the chairman and the biggest shareholder in Emrail Sdn Bhd, one of the contractors involved in the project estimated at RM5.77 billion.

He said the 2009 Auditor General’s report mentioned Emrail Sdn Bhd as the most inefficient of the four subcontractors.

It had completed only 56.9 percent of the 179km double tracking and electrification project when the deadline for its completion expired on Dec 10, 2003.

The delay escalated the cost of the project to RM1.43 billion more than its original cost.

Auditor-General Ambrin Buang said due to contractual agreement between the government and DRB-Hicom, the maximum liability that could be claimed from the contractor was only RM257.99 million.

Bring ‘em to book

Therefore, the government would have to absorb part of the RM1.14 billion loss brought about by delays in implementation and not keeping to the standards imposed on the infrastructural development.

“I urge the PAC at its meeting next week to endorse theAuditor General’s suggestion that the Transport Ministry fine DRB-Hicom Bhd RM80.88 million (RM164,727 a day) for its failure to complete the Rawang-Ipoh electrified double tracking project on time,” he said.

Both the PKFZ and this double tracking project, he said have cost the nation approximately RM14 billion or every Malaysian RM520.

He added that before PAC starts its investigations, the public need to be informed about the parties involved in the project, allocations made to the contractors, names of the politicians involved, the terms on which the contracts were awarded and reasons for the delay.

“Without a doubt, the double tracking project joins the ranks of PKFZ as another mega financial scandal prompted by greed, cronyism, sophisticated potpourri of business and politics and devastating mismanagement,” said Santiago.

Source : Malaysiakini Chinese version

Source : Merdeka review