Sunday, May 5, 2013

Malaysia election a lesson for Indonesian parties

@ The Jakarta Post and @ Malaysia Insider

In the run-up to Malaysia’s general election on May 5, the Malaysian people have been offered two discerning choices. Either they let the National Front (BN) continue to govern for the next five years or they provide the opportunity for the opposition, People’s Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat), to take the helm. The voters know that if BN wins the election, Najib Razak will remain prime minister but if the opposition prevails, then former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim will secure the top job.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Blusukan: Management by Wandering Around


The Javanese vernacular blusukan (impromptu visit) has caught much hype thanks to Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo management style. In contrast to many Indonesian leaders who prefer to work behind a desk, Jokowi often visits unexpected places, such as river banks, traditional markets, slums and local public office. Through this blusukan style, he earned much respect as mayor of Surakarta, so much so he was elevated to the top job in Jakarta.

Likely inspired by Jokowi, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) followed suit recently.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Bang Haji: An Unfiltered President?

@The Jakarta Post

Many people ridicule Rhoma Irama (Bang Haji) for his presidential candidacy. Bang Haji is deemed to have no skill or capacity or experience to be a president. His polygamist life also makes things worse.

But is it true that someone like Bang Haji could not lead Indonesia well?

Friday, December 21, 2012

A Few Good Men

Published @ The Jakarta Post http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/12/17/imo-view-good-man-and-husband.html 

If we define a good husband as a man who has only one woman, then US presidents Jefferson, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Clinton of are definitely not good husbands. They cheated their wives with extramarital affairs.

Friday, October 26, 2012

This Is Why RI Must Import Cows

This happens simply because of demand exceeding supply. The back-of-envelope calculation goes as follows:

In 2011 RI's population was 238 million. The demand of cow meat is assumed 1.7 kg/caput/year, then in that year the need is 405 million kg.

It is assumed one cow has 209 kg in average, then the need of cow was 1.9 million cows in 2011. This was the demand.

While in that year the population of beef cow is 14.7 million and it is assumed that the adult male cow is 10% of total population.

So the supply of cow is only 1.47 million compared to the demand of 1.9 million. That's why we must import cows from Australia.

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