Hand clap survey

Kid: There's no need to get disheartened by screwed up surveys like this Mr, lots of people are still applauding you! How bout we just do a hand clap survey?

The Democratic Party has lashed out at a recent survey by the Indonesian Survey Circle showing a drop in President Yudhoyono's approval rating from 56.7% in January to 42.7%, claiming the poll was unfair, biased and aimed at undermining the government's credibility.

Kompas - June 30, 2011

Cleptocractic State

Kid: Because of poverty our housewives are willing to become slaves and be abused in other countries Dad!

Man: They're also abused by the Cleptocractic State of the Republic of Indonesia! (a play on the acronym NKRI – Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia)

The beheading of Ruyati binti Satubi in Saudi Arabia has again focused debate on the dearth of jobs at home, which force impoverished women such as Ruyati to seek menial jobs overseas where they suffer widespread abuse.

Kompas - June 25, 2011

Birds of a feather

Man: How come their so quick to defend and protect people who flee the country?

Woman: Birds of a feather flock together!

The ever widening corruption scandal surrounding fugitive Democrat Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin illustrates how the political elite are always ready to pounce on a political opponent when they become the target of anti-graft investigators, but just as quick to jump to each other defense when one of their own gets caught.

Kompas - June 18, 2011

Your seat's out of wack

Man: Corruption is rampant Mr! ... Your seat's a bit out of wack Mr...

Initially unfazed at the accusations by fugitive party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin – who fled the country last month in face of questioning by anti-graft investigators – of corruption at the highest levels of President Yudhoyono's Democrat Party, the president exploded at reporters last week denouncing the social media for spreading "false allegations" and "slander" after suggestions were made that he and his family were involved.

Kompas - June 15, 2011

Presidential plane

The Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency has called on President Yudhoyono to cancel the purchase a $58 million private presidential plane – to be called Indonesian Air Force One – saying the country is already sinking in a mire of foreign debt, which by the first quarter of 2011 had reached $214.5 billion, a $10 billion increase on last year.

Kompas - June 14, 2011

Haven for corruption fugitives

Resentment of Singapore's perceived role as a safe haven for corruption fugitives has resurfaced as the Yudhoyono government scrambles to pursuade disgraced Democrat Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin to return home after fleeing to Singapore. Singapore signed an extradition treaty with Indonesia in 2007 as part of a defence pact but the House has refused to ratify it citing sovereignty concerns. That fact that many lawmakers' cohorts in crime are living off their ill-gotten gains in Singapore has not been lost on the Indonesian public.

Kompas - June 11, 2012

A robber!

1st Man: White-collar crime, the judicial mafia, shady conglomerates, or a corruptor?

2nd Man: A robber!

While the full force of the law is unleashed on the poor for petty offences such as stealing a few cocoa fruits or a handful of bananas, the wealthy and politically connected who plunder billions from the state's coffers simply buy the 'justice' they want from corrupt judges and prosecutors and go unpunished or receive light sentences.

Kompas - June 8, 2011

Don't try anything stupid

Politicians: Don't try anything stupid or I'll spill the beans on your rotten dealings too!

Headline reds: Big cases

President Yudhoyono's Democrat Party is scrambling to persuade party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin to return home (where hopefully he can be silenced) after he fled the country last week in the face of questioning by anti-graft investigators and is now threatening to expose the dirty dealings of other senior Democrat politicians.

Kompas - June 4, 2011