Djoko Suyanto resigned from Adaro

Marshall (ret) Djoko Suyanto has resigned as independent commissioner of PT Adaro Energy (ADRO) Tbk. Djoko is the coordinating minister for politic, security, law, and human rights. 

Adaro informed stock market authorities that the management is seeking his replacement. Djoko was military commander in 2006-2008 and air force chief of staff in 2005-2006. He was deputy chairman of SBY-Boediono national campaign team in the July election. 

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Bakrie unit pays US$77M for 10% in Masela

PT Energi Mega Persada (ENRG) Tbk informed stock market authorities today that its wholly owned subsidiary PT EMP Energi Indonesia will pay US$77.25 million for the acquisition of 10% shares in Masela Block PSC.

ENRG, a company controlled by Bakrie & Brothers (BNBR), will also pay certain pre-completion adjustment pursuant to farm-out agreement between EMP Energi and Inpex Masela Ltd. The company has yet to disclose financing of the acquisition.

The acquisition is pending approval from public shareholders, Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Body (BPMigas), shareholders of Inpex Masela Ltd, and the signing of joint operating agreement.

Masela PSC is expected to commence LNG production of 4.5 million tons per annum and 13,000 barrels of condensate per day by 2016.

ENRG closed lower by 1.64% at Rp300 today. The stock has lost 30% its value in recent weeks. Still, it gained over 200% YTD.

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Seven Vice Ministers & Civil Servants

President SBY is scheduled to install vice minister for up to seven departments on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Do we really need them?

These vice ministers shall be those with identity as civil servants. The departments predicted to have vice minister are finance, foreign affairs, industry, transportation, agriculture, defense, and health. We have to admit, civil servants are better off after the 1998 reform. In fact, they're the clear winners of the reform.

The basic salary of civil servants in Indonesia is currently higher than minimum wage of most Indonesians. Higher salary is expected to cut corruption, while that's not the case. Attorney General, for example, asked legislators to approve his plan to raise minimum salary of state prosecutor to Rp10 million or about US$1,000 per month. That would translate to US$12,000 per annum or about six times the nation's average GDP per capita.

The President's salary is currently Rp60 million per month or about Rp800 million per annum (US$90,000), 45 times the nation's average GDP per capita. US President Barrack Obama makes US$475,000 per annum or 10 times the country's GDP per capita (PPP).

High school teachers in Jakarta could make Rp6.5 million per month, lot better than average salary of journalists in town. The lowest paid civil servant in Indonesia, according to President SBY's speech before National Assembly in August, is Rp1.72 million per month or slightly less than US$200 per month. Since most civil servants get 13 months of salary, they could make at the minimum of US$2,600 per annum. Meanwhile, minimum wage for non-government sector is set US$106 per month in Jakarta. 

Public service is currently the best paid job in Indonesia, especially taking into account their relatively "relaxed" working environment. Civil servants in most government offices could go home three hours earlier than their peers in private sector. With less working hours, the current average salary of civil servants could be considered overpaid.

That's why government job attracted youngsters in various provinces. Look at this article, where 56,000 people are competing for 7,411 tickets in North Sulawesi province. Brokers reportedly offer one seat for US$3,000 (guaranteed).

Or this one in South Sumatra, where 6,000 applicants competed for 82 seats in department of religious affairs. In Sleman, Yogyakarta, 7,410 people submitted their CVs online, while only 367 seats available. In Bengkulu, the ratio is 10 to one, 7,616 applicants for 700 seats.

These guys are looking for jobs. They are not entering public sector to serve public. But realistically, this is the easiest way to create job. Expand the bureaucracy. Create more departments, more ministerial level positions, more legislators, more regents, sub-regents, governors, team member this and that.

But please tone down your expectation, i.e. to get better public service. Oh, and if you think higher salary will trim down bureaucratic process or corruption, please continue your dream. 

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Trenggalek KP converted to IUP

Arc Exploration Ltd told ASX this morning that the conversion of the Trenggalek KP to a Mining Business Licence (IUP) has been completed in accordance with the new Indonesian Mining Law.

The Exploration IUP, covering the original KP area of 30,044 hectares, has been signed by the Regent of Trenggalek and is valid for 4 years. This conversion to the new IUP title is in accordance with the Indonesian Mining Law, promulgated on 12 January 2009, which requires the conversion of all pre-existing tenements.

The Company recently announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with a leading drilling contractor in Indonesia to undertake a 5,000-m diamond drilling program on the Trenggalek Project at its own cost in exchange for shares and options in ARX. Preparations for this drilling are on track to commence early in 2010.

The primary targets of the drilling program are multiple prospects containing epithermal gold-silver-bearing quartz veins, high-level hydrothermal breccias and silica cappings having geological settings and mineralization characteristics analogous to known high-grade gold deposits found along Indonesia’s highly prospective magmatic arcs (Eg. Gosowong, Pongkor). Collectively, these multiple prospects represent a series of mineralized epithermal systems with potential to host a major new gold district.

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Crocodile Dumbee (2)

Crocodile Dumbee Force considers a lawsuit against Constitutional Court (MK) for the "broadcasting" of wiretapped conversation between crocodiles, Komodo, and some tamers.

Crocodile Dumbee said "the broadcasting hurts." What the zoo's visitors said, "that's the dumbest thing to do." 

Crocodile Dumbee II also said "The Gecko didn't pursue the prosecution on MSK because he is a close friend of CH, they have emotional relationship. MSK was the witness in the wedding of CH with the daughter of respected figure N." N's wife protested and strongly denied because "MSK was not even invited for the wedding." The zoo's visitors said, "that's completely bullshit. The crocodile dumbee should apologize."

Crocodile Dumbee III said "I swear to God, I never took Rp10 billion. I asked God, please take my life now if I really took the money. The wiretapped conversation was a trap to the gecko. I knew my cell was wiretapped, because I did a counter intelligence." The spectators said "that's dangerous. So, you designed the plot to incriminate the geckos."

King Kong said "the wiretapped conversation also hurts me, because my name was mentioned several times by the tamers, as if I supported the crocodiles. So I ordered Crocodile Dumbee to investigate the defamation."

King Kong said "it's me who asked Crocodile Dumbee to suspend Dumbee III." Spectators said, "But looks like Dumbee III is still in charge. So, we're afraid that the crocodiles are not afraid of you."

King Kong said "really? I'm surprised. Let me establish A TEAM to investigate why the crocodiles don't really follow my instructions."

Spectators asked "why not replacing the Dumbees?" Komodo said, "I will do so, but depending on how many mails would support that. I have established A TEAM to prepare A TEAM to work on Post Office Box 4999. If you guys have complaints about the crocodiles, send letters to POBOX 4999."

Why 4999? "That's my birthday. You know, I love my self so much. I wish next year I got more postcards with my beautiful pictures and expressing their support for 2014 election. I will not run, but I'm expecting them to support Queen Kong." 

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My enemy's enemy

It is a general belief that legislators hate Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) because some of their friends have been jailed, prosecuted, and wiretapped. In the past few months, we have seen open wars between KPK and police/attorney general's office (AGO). 

Last night's hearing between House Commission III and National Police leaders was not more than a meeting of two friends. The friend in need went into tears, telling friends that "I didn't do it. I swear to God. I never took the bribery..hiks..hiks..." The friends started to console him...and BIG SMILE...They loudly said in chorus...LET'S FIGHT BACK!

It reminds me of the below story from Republic of Idiotidols, where crocodiles and Komodo joined forces to fight Lizard Citizens.

They are a stronger group now: 50 + 50. "You are crocodile, right? And, we're Komodo. Don't let one single lizard alive," one member of the group said.

"How many of them?" another member asked. "About one thousand," the other replied. "That's not enough for all of us," others started to complain. 

"When will we get them?" "Tomorrow. It's already 3AM in the morning. Let's get some sleep, and let these lizards have their good sleep. According to the veterinarians, lizards with good sleep will have better meat."

"BTW, do we need back-ups from the King Kong?" one Komodo asked. "Oh, C'mon, King Kong is just too busy brushing his hair, check his cheek in the mirror, and serving the powerful Queen Kong," a sleepy crocodile replied.

So they decided to go to bed. When they're about to get their meals, they realize that the number of lizards have skyrocketed to millions. 

"Do you think we could win?" one crocodile asked to a hungry Komodo.

"Check out whether Britain succeeded in subsidizing any government that would oppose Napoleon? Did Nixon's alliance with Mao's China manage to weaken Soviet Union?"

The problem with the lizard group, some lizards have been trained by the crocodile group to be their informant or do some counter-intelligence operation.  (Haryanto Suharman & Yosef Ardi)

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Ka'ban denied police allegations, who's lying?

Former forestry minister MS Ka'ban (2004-2009) denied allegations that he took Rp17 billion bribery in relation to the investigation on PT Masaro Radiokom (owned by Anggoro Widjojo) scandal. He also denied the police's theory about his close relationship with suspended KPK leader Chandra M. Hamzah.

Police Chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri mentioned at least twice yesterday about MS Kaban and Chandra M. Hamzah. First, he informed Team 8, established by President SBY about the flow of funds to MS Ka'ban. Second, he indirectly confirmed about that in a hearing with House Commission III. 

MetroTV interviewed Ka'ban saying "I never received Rp17 billion, and I don't know Chandra M Hamzah."

Ka'ban was a big supporter of SBY-Boediono. He declared the Pro SBY Movement (GPS) which campaigned for SBY-Boediono in the presidential election. Ka'ban is still the chairman of Crescent Star Party (PBB), which failed to get parliamentary seat.

In an effort to strengthen the Ka'ban-Chandra "conspiracy", police then mentioned the relationship between Ka'ban and Chandra where Ka'ban was the witness for Chandra's wedding with Nadia, daughter of the late respected Moslem leader Nurcholis Madjid (Cak Nur). 

But Ka'ban denied that. Worse, Nurcholis' wife Omi Komaria denied and condemned police chief Hendarso. She said Ka'ban was not even invited for the wedding ceremony. "I'm so sad learning the statement from Police Chief about the late Cak Nur and Nadia," Omi said.

Chandra's lawyer also deplored Police statement on the issue. Kompas.com published an article titled "Police Chief is alleged of spreading gossip."

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The tale of MK & Success Team

National Police Chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri disclosed to legislators at House Commission III hearing last night that someone identified as MK, a public figure and close friend of CH, received Rp17 billion (slightly below US$2 million) from those implicated in Masaro Radiokom bribery scandal.

The Police Chief declined to disclose the full name of MK. PDI-P legislator Gayus Lumbuun asked whether MK is MS Ka'ban, former forestry minister. "Something like that," Hendarso replied. MS Ka'ban was forestry minister, while the bribery scandal implicated legislators from various parties. Masaro was a supplier of radio communication system to forestry ministry. 

MS Ka'ban, according to media reports, was the one who declared Gerakan Pro SBY or Pro SBY Movement, which "voluntarily" campaigned for SBY-Boediono in July 8 election. Nobody knows, if it is true that MK who received Rp17 billion is the same guy we're talking about, how he spent the money. Neither we knew how Gerakan Pro SBY funded its operations nationwide during the campaign. No information provided about the relations between MK mentioned by police and Gerakan Pro SBY.

But as a friend said "being an active member of success team of one president candidate doesn't guarantee a seat in cabinet nor freedom from corruption prosecution. It's just your bad luck, you bet on someone, you think you win because he won, but you get caught for raised funds illegally."

"Even if you got the funds from bribery and spent all of them in the success team, it is not a guarantee that you'll be protected. You might get that temporarily, but as soon as you're not in the inner circle, not in a regular contact with the winner, you're alone, and that's the risk you should have calculated right from the beginning," another friend said.

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Wanna be minister? Establish Scholarship for...

If you want to be a cabinet minister in 2014, probably you can this "little trick". Establish a scholarship program in the ESMP at the JFKSG, top US university. Find one Indonesian, son or daughter of a potential president for 2014-2019. Help him to get a confirmed acceptance at the school. God Willing, you will be secured a cabinet post in his or her father/mother's cabinet. 

Criteria to get the scholarship: He or She shall be the beloved children of the potential president candidate in 2014. You may add the following criteria:

(a) an excellent academic record with a first degree equivalent to a good Second Class (Upper) Honors or higher or a GPA of at least 3.5; (b) a very good command of the English Language; (c) at least seven years full time relevant work experience; and (d) assessed to have outstanding potential for leadership in government, business, or civil society after graduation. 

You don't have to start it now, because election is still four years and eight months away. You can start in 2013. But you have to search the right candidate from now on, because others might do the same. Make sure you pick the right candidate. Then you may start to think what portfolio in the next cabinet you really want.

If you need consultation, you may contact the following address: ADORAFOUNDATION.CO.ID. PS: ONLINE CONSULTATION ONLY, FREE OF CHARGE, BUT IF THE ADDRESS IS NOT CORRECT, BLAME BOOBLE.COM!

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Susno & Ritonga resigned, next?

Susno Duadji, head of criminal investigation unit, and Abdul Hakim Ritonga, deputy attorney general, have resigned from their respective post. Their names are allegedly implicated in a plot to incriminate two suspended Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leaders. Will National Police Chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri and Attorney General Hendarman Supandji follow suit?

Actually some reporters have raised the question to Hendarman. His answer was, "it's up to the President." Isn't resign a voluntary action born out of self-consciousness?

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