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Forum criticizes government task forces

Says millions spent on special units could be better spent
Forum criticizes government task forces
Attendees of a Church-sponsored seminar listen to presentations on the high cost and limited effectiveness of government task forces
Published: July 25, 2011 01:33 PM GMT
Updated: July 25, 2011 01:38 PM GMT

The Indonesian Catholic Society Forum in the Archdiocese of Jakarta over the weekend dismissed the government’s establishment of ‘special units’ as ineffectual in addressing social and political problems during a seminar at St. Theresa Church in Menteng. “The government has confused us. It often establishes a special unit… more than 100 special units since 2005,” Veronika Wiwiek Sulistyo, who heads the forum, told about 200 attendees on Saturday during a discussion titled “Chaos in the republic of special units.” “These include special units for illegal mafia and migrant workers,” she added. “If leaders were strong and could handle all problems in the nation, we would not need such special units.” Efendi Ghazali, a political communication specialist, and Bambang Susatyo, a legislator, also spoke at the seminar. Ghazali said the establishment of the special units was meaningless and served only as an attempt to legitimize the authority of the government. “We must have courage to speak about the situation faced by our nation today,” he said. He added that special units spent as much as a trillion rupiah (about US$117 million) every year. This sum of money, he said, could be used to reduce poverty. Susatyo agreed, saying the special units’ budget increased every year. In 2008, it needed 2.8 trillion rupiah. In 2010 and 2011 respectively, it needed 34 trillion rupiah and 80 trillion rupiah. “The special units with their expensive budgets are the nation’s burden,” he said. “President [Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono] might think that the establishment of the special units would resolve problems. We urge the president to stop establishing such units." Related reports: Activists slam anti-anarchy unit plan

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