Honours and Dishonours 2005At 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 20051. 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 2005Theo 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 .....
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