Raise the price of 12 Kg LPG, Is It fake? (Dwi)

On 1^st January 2014, Pertamina announced to raise the price of 12 kg LPG. It is because Pertamina loss up about 5.7 trillion dollar. Therefore, to cover these losses, Pertamina has to raise the price of 12 kg LPG. However, it did not long continue, Pertamina was back to cut the prices of 12 kg LPG. Whether it is true or not about the absence of imaging some people in decrease of the price of 12 kg LPG that looking fast and sudden.

The LPG’s prices which raised precipitously from Rp.90.000 to Rp.135.000 of course will strangle society. The reason is many down middle entrepreneurs using 12 kg LPG. Most of traders are confused whether they want to raise the prices sell or not. Because, if they do not raise the prices sell, they will fear that they buyers will be low. And if they do not lower the price, they should move to a 3 kg LPG which the price could achievable. Of course this will also impact on the scarcity of 3 kg LPG.

However, the raise of 12 kg LPG did not long continue. Monday, 6th January, 2014 LPG was revealed at a meeting with some ministers. In the meeting, they are discussing about the revised 12 kg LPG’s price that is considered incompatible with the purchasing power of the society. The reduction of 12 kg LPG’s price can make reassure the society and it will reduce the burden on society amid rise in all staple.

It is like if there is political engineering behind the raise and reduce the price of 12 kg LPG. Whether there is a political element or as an imaging? Because, a lot of politicians who appear and try to resist the raise on 12 kg LPG as a hero who is ready to fight for the welfare of the Indonesian people.

In conclusion, the author hope, don’t make society like a doll that using for political element. Do not make poor people become poorer and then do not create the new poor people.

MODERN SLAVERY (Sulaiman)

Modern slavery is the illegal activity, in which one person is controlled by violence, the threat of violence, or psychological coercion, has lost free will and free movement, and forced to work for little or no pay. Slavery that exists until now called as Modern Slavery. It also prohibited by many international treaties such as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 195G UN Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery.

There are some characteristics of modern slavery, someone is in slavery if they ares
• treated as a commodity or bought and sold as property;

• forced to work - through mental or physical threat;

• -- owned or controlled by an ‘employer’, usually through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse;

• physically constrained or has restrictions placed on his/her freedom of movement.’

I think there are many factors why modern slavery still exists until now, for instance lack of education and training skills. Every labor has to have education and training skills so that they can boost their position in their community.

Modern slavery cases are common in Indonesia, like forced labor from a kitchenware factory in Bayur Opak village (CV Cahaya Logam), East Sepatan district, Tangerang regency, where labors forced and got torturous treatment, they forced to worked 18 hours with only two meals a day, they also didn’t get their salary, moreover some of them are still underage.

To conclude, to end modem slavery there are many ways like giving some knowledge and conducting training for labor. Government must give their attention about protection of labor rights so that labors can work safely and comfortably. 

Subsidy for the accused law maker (Agus Putra Gowa)

A lot of Indonesians are interested in becoming a law maker. Not only ordinary people, but also some singers, actors, and even comedians are eager to take apart in the legislative election. Being a law maker is very exciting. Every single thing is guaranteed by the country. At the end of their carrier, they will receive subsidy/pension fund from the country. Even, a law maker who has just retired or been a suspect of crimes/corruption will receive pension fund. This paper will discuss whether or not lawmakers who are suspected in criminals are reasonable to receive subsidy/pension fund.

A number of corruption .cases round up the parliament officials in this country. However, they get pension fund at the end of their carrier. According to marzuki all, the chairman of house of representatives, some of corruption accused who still receive it as follows; Panda Nababan from PDIP, Arsyad Syam from Demokrat who became the suspect of PLTD Sungai Bahar iambi in 2004, Wa Ode Nurhayati from PAN who became the suspect of local infrastructure accommodation budget, and Muhammad Nazarudin from Demokrat who became the suspect of Hambalang project. Meanwhile, some law makers who will be fired indecorously such as, Arifinto from PKS in case of watching porn video in the plenary meeting, and the chairman of Gerindra Faction Widjono Hardjanto who likes absent without leave.” All of them have the right to get subsidy/pension fund, Said All”.

Looking at the facts above, it really hurts the people of Indonesia. There are a lot of Indonesians live under poverty, without decent life and well managed education. Some other regions are being isolated without any attention from the government. This subsidy will be much better allocated to this sector than spending it to feed the corruptors. It will be more beneficial for the progress of this country and to develop the remote area in Indonesia.

The law makers have owned much money and allowance. Giving them subsidy especially for those who have done crimes or corruption can hurt the people’s heart. It is unfair. They only work for five years then receive subsidy. It is totally different from teachers who have to work for years to receive subsidy from the government. Therefore, subsidy/pension fund is not reasonable for the law makers, It is better allocating the budget for the other important sectors, such as education, infrastructures, and housing’ for the poor.

In conclusion, the government should revise the regulations. Accused law makers shouldn’t receive any money. They should live in poor as the result of their deed. 

WORK; LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT (Habib Muh Shahib)

“Do what you love, love what you did” Three Idiots Movie.
Work is a word with some interpretations. Some people said work is a symbol of life so if we have a good work (job) we can get many things in this world and also our reputation in our society will be good. But on the other hand some people believe work is a symbol of suppression of human life. Because of work many people become stranger in their daily live. They have been trapped in work’s environment and all of its regulations that make workers cannot socialize with their friends and their relatives as well as usual. Based on some arguments above I will try to explain from two sides (social environment and individual views) what are the real meaning and effects of work?
Work is a certainly of mankind and all of creatures on the earth. Without work we cannot continue our life and our civilizations. But currertly work is defined by people as a symbol of social status such as rich and welfare. This condition indirectly making many people have been trapped in majority view that believes we have to get a good job so we will be famous and happy although we do not like the kind of job. Effects of this situation people go to work without the real spirit of work- (to continue human life) but with the spirit of materialism (to get riches. In addition the spirit of materialism has domino effect to the society for instance; first, life is seen by people (parents) like a big market especially for education process. The cost of education is the modal and if we can get the great salary in our job in the future that is the benefit. This situation will be felt clearly when the man want to marry his love. Second, majority of parents always push their child to become what they want not what their child want. Finally the child or we never feel the happiness in doing our job. In the other words we can say “just trying to love our job”.
Whatever the reasons of the society about the work, we will never be free if we cannot build our comprehension about work. The great example of a good comprehension about work is the three idiot movie that taught us to become the people who have a dream about what our unique habit and use it to become our job. Because job is an art said Confucius. If you love it, your job will be expensive automatically like a portrait of the painter that will be expensive because of the synthesis of painter’s skill and love.

SMOKING CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS AND SHOULD BE MADE ILLEGAL (Arif Supam Wijaya)

There are clear arguments for banning smoking, based largely on health, but there is perhaps a stronger case to be made for maintaining the current situation, as will now be explained.
The most important factor for keeping smoking legal is that the decision to smoke is not something that should be controlled by the government, but by the individual. If a person decides to smoke, they do so of their own free will and this should be respected, as it is the government’s role to advice against harmful practices, but ultimately not to make decision for its citizens.
The other reason for allowing smoking is that by making laws against it is more likely to result in the sale of tobacco moving to the black market, and consequently increasing the level of associated crimes. There will still be people who cannot overcome their addiction, and will search for any means available to access cigarettes. A clear example of this reaction can be seen in the illegal sale of drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana,
Of course, there is the fact that smoking is known to have adverse health effects on both the smoker and those around them who are affecting by passive smoking. Yet there are other lifestyle choices that also have negative impact, such as fast food and alcohol, and banning these items would restrict the choice available to the customer.
To sum up, the decision to ban smoking, although having some advantages, would be more likely o have an overall nega.ive effect. It would therefore be better would be for the government to continue campaigns that educate people about the potential dangers of the habit.