31 Dec
Honours and Dishonours 2005
At this time of the year, it is traditional in the UK to award worthy people “for services to the community”, whatever that word may mean. This year’s list includes Sir Tom Jones for services to Singing, Ms Emma Harriet Lamb OBE, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation, for services to Business and Dame Janet Frances Wolfsonde Botton, for services to Art and, presumably, having a strange name.
The key to getting an award here seems to be part of the (military) establishment, yet there are unsung heroes who are surely more deserving.
Jakartass Honours Even List 2005
1. Aid workers in Aceh and Nias ~ who are not on inflated expat salaries, driving around in environmentally-unfriendly SUVs or have a hidden proselytising agenda.
2. Friends of Munir, still seeking truth and justice for the slain human rights activist.
3. Corruption Eradication Commission for actually getting results and the NGO Indonesian Corruption Watch for persistence.
Jakartass Dishonourable Award 2005
Theo F. Toemion is a clear winner in that he has exemplified every one of the traits that betray reformasi.
Former Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Theo F. Toemion, fired earlier this year after attacking expatriates during a children’s basketball game at a Jakarta school, has now been declared a suspect in a corruption case.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on late Wednesday (28/12/05) said Toemion was suspected of inflicting losses of Rp.32 billion ($3.25 million) on the state through the issuance of fictitious or marked-up investment promotion.
At the beginning of 2005, Theo was slated to become Indonesia’s next ambassador to Nigeria. Now he is in police custody earmarked for a lengthy jail sentence.
One shouldn’t gloat but …..
God forbid that Her Majesty has overlooked your stirling work again? We shall write to her Equery immediately recommending you for an OBE at the very least.
One major ommision in your dishonourable list is Noordin Top presumably the brains behind the second bali bomb.
Whilst agreeing that there are many worthy ‘winners’ of a mention in my Dishonourable list, and without downplaying the significance of Islamic nihilists, I feel that focussing on an “I’m above the law” sh*t serves to encourage the exposure and downfall of others.
They’re easier to prosecute and in so doing will encourage a saner and fairer society; a society offering a voice and a stake in its vibrancy is one in which the likes of Noordin Top would find it harder to recruit other lost souls.
Attaining a measure of reformasi is achievable. Wiping out the seeming randomness of sheer evil is more problematic.
thanks ..thanks..
i feel like on the first list of jakartass honors even list 2005!
working in aceh for almost a year, living with ‘good’ salary and have to pay most of the items far more expensive compare to jakarta..
argghhh…but still enjoying the beauty of humanity work in aceh..
thanks for the honors!
as for theo, i feel dissapointed as well..about three years ago, i used to admire him