a note from SBSN bill approvement

I knew him as Iqbal. I began to know him while hunting the news in Badan Pengawas Pasar modal dan Lembaga Keuangan (Bapepam-LK).

That night, I met him in DPR. I recognize him even from about 50 meter distance for his thick beard grown completely all over his chin, his thick eyebrows, and his glittering eyes.

Looking at him in a glance, people may mock him for having a look like Osama bin Laden. I reacted that way, too. But after having known him personally, I conclude that he is the most humble, polite, and shy moslem I've ever known.

That night, I saw an exhausting expression on his face after, as usual, he greeted me and shoke my hand. His eyes was dreary as he said, "I'm so sad that Islam is always been blamed.. "

Iqbal is one of government aparatus in Dirjen Pengelolaan Keuangan Negara, Departemen Keuangan. That night, he attended to DPR accompanying The Minister of Treasury for asking a legal agreement on syariah bond law (UU SBSN).

He couldn't hold no longer in the forum, listening Partai Damai Sejahtera (PDS)
accusing UU SBSN as a bill that is produced against Pancasila.

Hurrily, I walked into the forum, and witnessing some congress man shouted at Retna Situmorang, a congress woman from FPDS. She's the only person who rejected RUU SBSN.

Some of the journalist waiting for that assembly in almost two hours looked gloomy. Retna's stubborn made the debate goes long, to the dead end.

Finally, a congress man from FPKS (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera/ PKS) gave a solution by saying, "Different point of view has always been repeated along our history. We need not to push PDS changing his way of thinking for this bill is legally and formally has affirmed meeting the rule of making rule. This draft of UU SBSN is legal and agreed. If PDS and another person still rejecting this bill, they are welcome to make material test on this bill later through Mahkamah Konstitusi (MK)."

And the debate ends. It takes only a step to apply this bill, and the government can get million of cash from Middle West without burdened by INTEREST that entangle the people of Indonesia.

***

For two years I've been dedicating myself as a journalist, I witness the rise and fall of syariah financial industry in Indonesia for I'm in the financial (bank, insurance, multifinance, etc) and capital market desk.

It doesn't have to be a minister or to be Iqbal to feel sorry for PDS' attitude. I'm very sorry too, because this blind attitide of PDS come from a matter of FAITH DIFFERENCE. please check in this article.

Olala... For a religious sentiment reason, PDS' official rejecting this anti-interest bond. Just because of this system comes from non-christian paradigm, PDS heavily rejected this system implementation in Indonesia.

(Now I remember the blind attitude of bush: if you are not with me, you are my enemy. But, however, I still believe that not all christian in Indonesia has a retarder way of thinking such as PDS'. As I know, Dirjen Pengelolaan Keuangan Negara, Mr Rahmat Waluyanto, is a christian. RUU SBSN is proceed under his cold hand.)

PDS seemed to forgot (if ew maynot say MORRON) that economic system (non-interest/ syariah) and constitution (pancasila) is two different thing. Our constitution is indeed Pancasila, but what about our economic system? hehe.. Indonesia once applied socialism, and now capitalism grown vast, so.. why syariah economic system is rejected?

If this system is against the constitution, then what principal that has been violated? syariah economic system is philosophically and practically run under the Pancasila economic principle: pro public interest, fairness, anti-monopoly, anti-oligopoly, etc.?

To see the simple explanation of pancasila economic system, please open this link.

But.. wait a second. Does it really true that syariah economic principle is only recognized in Islam institution? I've tried searching wikipedia, and finding that the answer is: no. ALL heaven religion rejects the business system based on interest, which becomes the main principle of syariah economic system. check this.

PDS' attitude make me surprised. If they're not stupid, they should know that
syariah economic system has been applied in Europe, United States, Australia, Africa and Asia. Singapore as a secular state is also accomodating syariah financial system and dreaming to be the biggest hub (terminal) of syariah banking transaction in South East Asia.

International bank such as ABN Amro, City Bank, HSBC etc is also applying this syariah system for long. ANZ Australia has been opening special unit of syariah banking named First ANZ International Modaraba, Ltd.

Jepang, Korea, and Holland also ready to apply syariah sistem. The Minister of Treasury of Holland Wouter Bos rejected the objection of right wings party (geert wilders) for this plan. check here:

***

BTW, that night I clearly saw a very big different between two young similiar-but-not identical party: PKS and PDS. From Public Election 1999 (in which I decided not to participate for I don't want to choose party hasn't been proven), to 2008, PKS and PDS develop themselves in a very big different direction.

When PKS is showing more maturity in politics by deciding to be a plural party and not using religion identity (not acting as islam party), PDS on the other hand deciding himself to take the opposite choose. PDS rejection upon RUU SBSN shows a lot how hypocrite and childish they are in judging a matter based on their religion point of view only.

In an radical imaginative scenario, Iqbal who has a very thick beard a la salafi moslem perharps would have to be kicked from Depkeu when PDS in a rule. The reason is, "this is not a theocracy. So, don't put Islam identity (beard) in state institution (depkeu)!"

hehehehe...

And now, I decide myself to vote in the next election. If I don't use my rights, then it means that I clear the path for those hypocrite party as PDS to spread their foolishness in the government of this beloved state.

The absence of my vote (although only one single vote), means winning the party that I reject. correct, doesn't it???