Jakartass Home thoughts from abroad. Alien thoughts from home.

If you’ve read Okey Dokey Coca Cola?, the post above, you know that I don’t think that things go better with Coke.

However, in the interest of balance, it’s only fair to find out what Coca Cola-Indonesia has to say. Although I can find nothing more recent than this page from Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia (CCFI) and Coca Cola’s Corporate Responsibility Report 2008 (.pdf), they do say a lot.

Live Positively is our commitment to make a positive difference in the world by redesigning the way we work and live so sustainability is part of everything we do.

Really, Coca Cola? “Everything“? Really?

Why is there no mention in the letter to Ya ‘Udah of Coca Cola’s commitment to recycle the aluminum cans which “could be re-sold per kg in the market.” Are they going to collect them from Ya ‘Udah and their other outlets? And if so, what do they plan to do with them? I doubt that they’ve established a network among the omnipresent scavengers and NGOs.

If they haven’t, they could try the XS Project who inform me that they “are now working with corporations to turn their trash into treasures.”

And what of PET bottles which are being churned out in their billions, yet Ya ‘Udah et al are expected to deal with?

Polyethylene terephthalate (sometimes written polyethylene terephthalate, commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P), is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination with glass fiber.

One problem with PET is that although these drinks bottles are recyclable, the material itself may be toxic. I also wonder if the process of manufacture along with the recycling process has a smaller carbon footprint than simply reusing glass bottles.

They say that they see packaging as a resource, not waste. We will continue to find ways to reduce the amount of
packaging we use and ensure it is recyclable. CCA has consistently improved rates of packaging waste sent to recycling in our manufacturing plants in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Strangely, it seems that those companies in Indonesia which recycle PET have to also import the material in order to have a viable volume of production.

Back in February 2006 I quoted the following from a now forgotten source: Plastic water bottles can take 1,000 years to biodegrade. Nine out of 10 water bottles end up as garbage or litter, and that means 30 million per day. Only a small percentage are recycled.

Adding soft drinks bottles to that number, however biodegradable they may be, and then considering the Indonesian habit of discarding litter wherever they may be and it seems fairly obvious that Coca Cola has not considered the consequences of their discarding glass bottles, except in a small way in Bali.

As part of [the} ongoing, year-round campaign to clean up Bali’s major beaches and waterways, we installed 200 public place recycling bins on Kuta, Legian and Sanur beaches, strategically located next to vendors’ ice chests.

And in Jakarta? What is the programme which ensures that their fine words aren't hollow? What is Ya 'Udah to do with their recyclable waste? As they haven't been informed, we may presume that neither have the umpteen bars, warungs, shops and other outlets for Coca Cola products.

Ah, but Coca Cola does have a Corporate Bullshit Policy. They have philanthropic Foundations in Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea [which] distribute in total more than $1.5 million dollars annually to projects which assist local communities in Indonesia [including] micro-loans for people to start their own businesses.

Is this really an appropriate project for Coca Cola? To me, it appears that for all its vast reach, Coca Cola does little for Indonesia. It may well gloat that in 2007(?) Coca-Cola Bottling Indonesia was awarded a certificate for environmentally responsible companies from Environment Minister, Rachmat Witoelar.

That may look good hanging on an office wall, but it doesn’t look good from where I’m sitting and you can be sure that Ya ‘Udah doesn’t want a copy. Why is there a Coca-Cola Indonesia Eco-bus, powered with bio-diesel, touring schools educating students about recycling, energy saving and waste processing when they don’t seem to practice what they preach?
………………………………………………
Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia (CCFI) est. 2000.
Contact Information:
Ms. Titie Sadarini
Wisma GKBI, 8th Floor
JI. Jenderal Sudirman No. 28
Jakarta 10210
Email: ccfi@apac.ko.com

I would have been more than happy to have been caught up in the hype surrounding the Football World Cup currently underway in South Africa. This wouldn't have been because I'm a fan of the woeful England squad but more to watch those players who fairly recently played in the strip of 'my' club, Charlton Athletic.

There may well have been a few but I couldn't tell because although I've got a paid subscription to Indovision, a satellite service incorporated on August 8, 1988 and owned by PT MNC Skyvision, the World Cup is only being broadcast on terrestrial channels RCTI and Global TV, which are free to viewers prepared to put up with ads for soap continuously interrupting their soap operas..

Our expertise in television programming that brought us to be the leader in television audience share has enable us to be produce quality contents that appeal to Indonesian taste and interests. (sic)

That RCTI and Global TV are part of the package I've paid for matters not a whit. What does is that these two channels are also owned by PT Media Nusantara Citra Tbk (MNC)!

Whilst on the subject of not giving customers what they want, I noted a couple of days that ex-dictator Suharto's eldest daughter, Siti 'Tutut' Hardiyanti Rukmana, has reclaimed ownership of Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI), from MNC.

At least I've still got the annual joy of Wimbledon with another mix of 'superstars' and not so wealthy journeymen and women plying their sporting trade much like Charlton players..

Apart from hapless viewers such as myself and hopeless teams such as England and Italy, another major loser at World Cup 2010 has been the major sports attire manufacturer Nike.

Their TV advertising campaign tie-in featured the following stars: Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) broke an elbow in a warm-up game; Fabio Cannavaro, Italy's captain and the defender responsible for at least two goals against his losing side; Wayne Rooney who, it's pretty-much universally agreed, had a nightmare tournament; Theo Walcott, also of England, did not even get picked to go to South Africa; Franck Ribéry and Patrice Evra were both haples and hopeless for France who managed just one goal and one point from their three group matches.

Although Spain have reached the quarter-finals, Cesc Fábregas has only played a total of 59 minutes in their four games. This is lots more than Brazil's Ronaldinho who, for all his fancy flair, didn't get on the squad sheet, let alone flight.

Given the time difference between South Africa and Indonesia, matches are played after our bedtimes, but no matter. Even the workers being paid minimum wages (c.$126 a month) at the factories in Jakarta's satellite cities which produce Nike sportswear manage to watch the matches.

A recent article in the LA Times highlighted the campaign of Jim Keady to bring justice for the workers who produce the goods which are worn by such morally upstanding superstars as Tiger Woods.

Jim has been to Indonesia several times and spends time living with the Nike workers. Unfortunately, I was out of town on the days he was last here, but regular readers will know that I support Team Sweat.

The closing paragraph of the article perhaps best explains why.

Keady told the story of one Nike factory worker.

"He said that one day, he'd like to be able to buy a pair of Nike sneakers that he helps make," the activist recalled. "After 19 years of factory work, he wanted to be able to bring home the product so he could show his daughter what Daddy does."
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Postscript
Nike also can't be happy that Roger Federer got beaten today at Wimbledon.

That is the headline in today's business section of the Post:

Franciscus Wilerang, head of the Permanent Committee for Food Resilience at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said yesterday at a Feed The World seminar that the successful implementation of the programme could contribute $101.5 billion to the country's revenues for the 2010-2014 period.

This is all part of the government's '2009-2014 road map for food development' and at first glance may sound wonderful. However, a closer read of what what was said, demonstrates that Kadin doesn't actually have any faith that it is achievable.

There is the "could" in the quote above and then he continued by saying, "Considering Indonesia's potential to achieve food self-sufficiency, we have to see the global food crisis as an opportunity and participate in efforts to feed the world."

Ah, there's that word 'potential', one that is unfortunately over-used when talking about Indonesia.

Full marks to SBY who reminded the assembled business executives not to neglect the domestic demand for the sake of more lucrative markets overseas.

"Why feed the the world if we still have problems with food supplies and price instability at home?"

I trust he was, in part, referring to the 'potential' to rid Indonesia of the high levels of malnutrition, infant mortality, hunger and poverty as identified in the Nutrition Map of Indonesia published in 2006.

Two years ago I wrote about not knowing that Cadbury's, the world renowned confectioner founded in 1824 by a Quaker family, was no longer a family firm. At least it was still a British firm, I think, offering familiar taste treats, even if I have had to rely on oleh-oleh brought back by returning friends or visiting family.

So what am I to make of its $11.9 billion takeover by Kraft which adds another leading British confectioner to a portfolio which already includes Bournville, Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts, Terry's and Green & Black's?

On my worldly travels, I've tasted Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate – a glass and a half in every bar – from Ireland and New Zealand and discovered that they seemed to taste better than the English version. Something to do with the better quality grazing, I always thought. I never really liked American chocolate, and I now learn (read the comments) that American brands have loads more sugar. So, will Kraft homogenise for global markets?

For those of us who hanker after certain favourites of former times, there is the thought that Kraft will undoubtedly 'rationalise' the product lines. "There is a very real danger that some of the brands will disappear," said Tim Richardson, author of Sweets: a History of Temptation. "Whenever there is a big takeover, a company will look to improve productivity and ­profitability. Within five years, we could be looking at a Cadbury with far fewer brands. Mars only makes big brands, and Kraft might follow that route, which is very modern. Cadbury is not sentimental and will close underperforming lines, but you can't help thinking that without the same emotional investment in say, 'Finger of Fudge', the ­conversation in the Kraft boardroom will be very different."

While the Cadbury boardroom with its legions of financial and legal advisers has done very nicely thank you out of the deal, there will be "inevitable" job losses. It must not be forgotten that the "Quaker-owned company is worth special mention for its enlightened attitude toward employees. This chocolate company was the first firm to grant its workers a 5-day work week. Also, sports facilities, medical facilities, schools, kitchens and community gardens were built for the employees."

Cadbury's shareholders have until February 4th to accept or reject the deal. As much as the workers are appealing to them to help save their jobs, and as much as Warren Buffett objects – and he controls 9.4% of Kraft's shares – the takeover is a forlorn foregone conclusion because 40% of Cadbury's shares are already held by American funds.

There's not much we can do about it now, although Bruce Wagner feels we should all boycott the company, and a host of others. I wish I could; it's a forlorn thought, but at least I can post his picture of captivating (processed) cheesecake.

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Kraft wiki page – in Indonesian.

I am well aware that my title may suggest that I am advocating the use of drugs so let me say from the outset that I am not.

However, today is the World Drug Day co-ordinated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Their annual World Drug Report provides one of the most complete assessments of the international drug problem, with comprehensive information on the illicit drug situation. It provides detailed estimates and information on trends in the production, trafficking and use of opium/heroin, coca/cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants, based on data and estimates collected or prepared by Governments, UNODC and other international institutions, (and) attempts to identify trends in the evolution of global illicit drug markets.

Consider that the population Indonesia is c.230 million and then work out how many users of the following drugs and then work out the actual numbers from the given percentages of the population: Cocaine 0.1%, Cannabis 0.7%, Amphetamines 0.3%, Opiates 0.16%.

This week, calling for universal access to drug treatment, Antonio Maria Costa, director of UNODC said, “People who take drugs need medical help, not criminal retribution.” said Since people with serious drug problems provided the bulk of drug demand, treating this problem was one of the best ways of shrinking the market.

However, back in In 2005, Tom Lloyd, a retired UK chief constable, said that prosecuting users is misguided and counter productive; prosecuting dealers without tackling demand or their profits doesn’t work.

If the money wasted on misinformation, enforcement and condemnation had been spent on tackling the underlying causes, so many lives blighted by drugs and crime could have been different. There are a number of alternative methods available, but sadly we can’t hold a rational public debate.

I agree, especially with “tackling the underlying causes”. Prevention is always better than a cure.

Without a fundamental change in society, one that offers both opportunity and equality, then I do not believe that there is much rationality in the government and other authorities here positing Say No To Narkoba.

I well remember a few years back standing at the now inaptly named Harmoni intersection in Jakarta and staring at a banner with these words and thinking that I was breathing in massive amounts of noxious exhaust fumes which were far worse in their long-term effects than the occasional intake of a non-addictive recreational drug such as marijuana, known as ganja in Indonesia.

Folk are able to choose whether or not to imbibe some recreational substances such as addictive tobacco or alcohol..

I wondered too about the intake of body and mind altering substances which governments have knowingly allowed us to imbibe. There are pharmaceuticals, such as Vioxx, Bextra and, most notoriously, Thalidomide, which have had to be withdrawn from consumer markets because of their serious side effects. There are decreases in fertility as urine ‘contaminated’ with contraceptive pills ends up in water supplies. There are pesticides and fertilisers spayed and spread on crops which also end up in water tables, ultimately drunk. And the crops end up on our kitchen tables. Meat animals are fed on gods know what and end up giving us BSE, swine and bird flu.

Then there’s the full spectrum of food additives, colorants and artificial flavours, and the excessive amounts sugar and salt in our ready packed snacks and meals. Consider too the proliferation of so-called food and health supplements we consume.

Yet certain remedies, commonly found in plants, are restricted by commercial considerations. Take aspirin, which I won’t dignify by capitalising, which is a derivative of salicylic acid commonly found in nature, such as the bark and leaves of the willow tree. Hippocrates knew this 2,500 years ago, although it took until 1900 for the German company Bayer, to patent the name, a patent they lost in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles with the end of World War 1.

Why then, is aspirin not marketed here as a generic medicine? (Incidentally, Heroin® was also a trademark Bayer was forced to give up in 1919.)

Narkoba are generally defined as recreational drugs which have been deemed to be illegal because their traffickers and users can be harmful to society. And this is true.

There are a number of highly addictive chemically produced drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy, which are marketed by criminal gangs with financial resources and armies greater than many countries. Indeed, in some countries, these gangs seemingly are the de facto government. The death toll among gang members competing for supply routes and the gangs’ addicted customers is unquantifiable but high, too high. I’m definitely not suggesting the decriminalisation of such evil people, although excuses can be made for many of the addicted.

Heroin is a main source of income for the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan as it wages war against non-believers in their brand of bigotry. Innocent civilians are numerous victims.

Here in Indonesia, the growing and trafficking of marijuana, known as ganja, by both the military and the Aceh Free Movement (GAM) undoubtedly prolonged the war, which only ended with a genuine act of nature, the tsunami. Unfortunately reports continue to surface of renegade acts of violence linked to the trade. And these would surely cease if marijuana were decriminalised.

Consider the use throughout human history of marijuana as a pain reliever.

Queen Victoria is supposed to have used it for period pains. It was sometimes used in childbirth and a poignant archaeological discovery in the Middle East revealed cannabis remnants near the body of a young woman who probably died in childbirth 5,000 years ago.

Cancer patients have claimed that cannabis helps suppress nausea after chemotherapy and the UK government now allows such use under medical supervision.

I can also attest to its beneficial effects. Twenty five years ago, whilst awaiting the arrival of a doctor to put to rights my herniated vertebra (slipped disc), a friend gave me some ‘pot’ to smoke. When the doctor arrived, I was smiling.

It has only been for a mere 70 years that the use of marijuana as a recreational drug has been prohibited. Marijuana is also known as hemp. The earliest known woven fabric was apparently of hemp, and over the centuries the plant was used for food, incense, cloth, rope and up to 25,000 uses.

In America, William Randolph Hearst, the multi-millionaire newspaper proprietor immortalised in Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, owned enormous timber acreage, land best suited for conventional pulp. According to Popular Mechanics, 10,000 acres devoted to hemp will produce as much paper as 40,000 acres of forest pulp land, so it was in Hearst’s interest to see the Marijuana Tax Act passed in 1937.

At this time, DuPont was patenting a new sulfuric acid process for producing wood-pulp paper, which ultimately accounted for more than 80% of all DuPont’s railroad car loadings for the next 50 years. Also, in 1935 DuPont developed a new synthetic fiber, nylon, which was an ideal substitute for hemp rope, and in 1938 they introduced rayon, which would have been unable to compete with the strength of hemp fiber or its economical process of manufacturing.

Hearst’s media orchestrated a campaign against blacks and Mexicans, seen as the main users of ‘reefer’.

“Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men’s shadows and look at a white woman twice.”

Here in Indonesia, a little sense is beginning to prevail. In 2002, then President Megawati issued a decree which led to the formation of the National Narcotics Board (BNN) and the development of a national strategy toward the abuse, trafficking and eradication of illicit substances. Despite the existing laws and regulations specifically criminalizing the use of illegal drugs, the strategy clearly stated that “drug users should be referred to drug treatment and rehabilitation (by court order) rather than imprisonment”.

In March, the Supreme Court issued a circular reminding judges of this decree. This is a small but positive step toward softening Indonesia’s harsh prohibitionist approach.

There’s a long way to go, however, before we can all breathe easier.

Further reading

Arguments Pro and Anti Drug Prohibition
The International Drug Policy Consortium is a global network of NGOs that specialise in issues related to illegal and legal drug use.

On the back page of today’s Jakarta Post is a full page colour advertisement for Adam Air with 69, count ‘em, business cards reproduced. I checked the cost, Rp.102 million (US$1,300) and this is the short editorial message.

Dear Friends,

It’s been two years, we’re up and flying. Start
with only 2 aircrafts and 2 destination, now
we’re flying 19 fleets and 22 cities.

We realize, your support made us growing.
Therefore, let us on this great opportunities to
thanks all of you and make a commitment to
always deliver safety flights and best quality
services.

I look forward to see you again on our flights
and thank you for choosing Adam Air.

Warm Regards,

Adam Suherman

How many language errors can you find?

I make it at least 13, which works out at a mere $100 each.

When Jakartass went national several years ago in an Indonesian newspaper, I made damn sure that my bahasa was acceptable by having it translated by a fully bilingual speaker and then having the text proofread. There’s no way I’d ever assume that I don’t make language mistakes ~ even in English as you may occasionally have noticed.

I’m not blaming Adam Suherman for this almighty cockup; he’s got a marketing department and, probably, an advertising agency to take care of things like that and all they had to do was to pop down to Jalan Jaksa on a Friday night, offer an impoverished English teacher there a few Bintangs to make the necessary corrections and, Bob’s your uncle (but who’s your aunt?), Adam Air would not look like such absolute prats.

But, if they couldn’t give a sh*t about a simple thing like that, then what are the odds that they cut corners on aircraft maintenance?

Grounded?

Sorry Adam, but for all your expenditure, you’ve lost at least one potential passenger.

Update January 2nd 2007
Adam Air flight disappears.