plain ideas for improving Indonesia

To be an optimistic leader.

2012-01-19T01:31:00.000-08:00

What is the best thing about Indonesia? Do you proud as an Indonesian? I do proud as an Indonesian.
However, I do understand mostly you do not happy with the news on the Internet and TV. It is because mostly the news release about the corruption scandals. Many people have been involved with the scandals. Sadly, the scandals are involving the leaders from political parties and parliament members.

But, I am sure it is only a matter of the process. It is the process to be mature. We are in the process to be the new amazing countries. To achieve this, we should be patience. We should be able to maintain our vitality in achieving the objective as one of the best countries in the world.

"Aroma" Coffee from Bandung

2011-10-21T01:33:00.000-07:00

If you come to Bandung, please try "Aroma", one of the traditional coffees from Indonesia.

LotteMart - BNI Credit Card Promotion

2011-10-02T04:45:00.000-07:00

These people make it more crowded at LotteMart Bintaro Jaya. They are under pressure of the performance target, but make us not comfortable with the mall.

New LotteMart at Bintaro Jaya

2011-10-02T03:35:00.000-07:00

It's very crowded because of grand opening.

The Price of Corruption

2011-09-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

The price of corruption is very expensive. In India, it caused not only the bad public services, but also the death of some doctors. In Indonesia, mostly it caused the death of some journalists.

WORLD
Graft Poisons Uttar Pradesh's Health System in India

Daniel Etter for The New York Times
An effort to improve maternal health care in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, has been plagued by a host of problems.

By LYDIA POLGREEN
Published: September 18, 2011

LUCKNOW, India - The first doctor to die, a senior government health administrator, was shot on his morning walk last October by two men on a motorbike. Six months later, his successor, a cardiologist, was shot to death while out on a predawn stroll. A third government doctor, accused of conspiring to murder the first two, was found dead in jail in June, lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts all over his body.

The one thing the doctors had in common? All three had at one point been in charge of spending this city's portion of the nearly $2 billion that has flowed to Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, as part of a nationwide push to improve the health of India's poorest citizens.

The state's health infrastructure remains abysmal, and officials say they now suspect that the murders resulted from a virulent combination of fast money, scant oversight and a notoriously graft-addled state political leadership. The last doctor to die, relatives say, was preparing to name names in a widening scandal. The central government has stepped in to investigate.

"When this much money is given to a government that is basically a criminal enterprise, violence cannot be ruled out," said Kamini Jaiswal, a prominent lawyer who has filed several lawsuits in the case.

The recent hunger strike by the social activist Anna Hazare has drawn attention to the everyday corruption that has infuriated India's middle class - the large and small bribes people must pay to evade the annoyances and harassments of an overbearing and inept state.
But in places like Uttar Pradesh, the price of corruption can be far higher, witnessed not just in the deaths of the doctors but in the toll it takes on the health of India's most vulnerable people.

Uttar Pradesh is by almost any measure one of the most corrupt states in the nation. It also has some of the worst health statistics anywhere, including rates of infant and child mortality and malnutrition to rival sub-Saharan Africa. If Uttar Pradesh were independent, its 200 million people would make it the world's fifth-largest nation, more populous than Brazil, a country with 35 times the land mass.

In 2005, the government, led by the Congress Party, created the National Rural Health Mission, which sought to overhaul the delivery of health care to the rural poor by building hundreds of thousands of new clinics and hiring millions of health workers.

Because of India's federal structure, most of the work was carried out by state governments like the one here, run by a lower-caste leader, Mayawati, who once accepted a garland of 1,000-rupee notes from supporters worth about $36,000. Not all of the states were prepared to handle it, and here, at least, much of the money never fulfilled its promise.

Some states fared much better, using the money effectively. Supporters of Mr. Hazare say that his demand for the creation of an ombudsman in every state could help stem corruption and protect whistle-blowers.

The central government handed over the cash to Uttar Pradesh with virtually no oversight.

Only after the doctors were killed did a review by the central government's investigators find that contracts worth millions of dollars were granted without competitive bidding, and millions more was paid in full to contractors who did not complete the work they were required to do, leaving health centers in ruins and without vital equipment. The government failed to make its investigative report public; The New York Times acquired a copy from The Indian Express, a leading newspaper that broke the story about the scandal.

Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Uttar Pradesh's health minister, said that the state had asked for the central government's inquiry. Asked for more details, he hung up the phone. Two state ministers have been forced to resign.
It is hard to see where the money went.

Two years ago state officials approved a plan to build a 30-bed health clinic in the village of Kurebhar, a three-hour drive from Lucknow. The new clinic would replace a four-bed site, which was straining to provide decent health services for 74 villages. More than $700,000 was budgeted for the project.

The building was supposed to be ready last December. Nearly eight months past that deadline, the health center was still a skeleton of red brick.

"We are trying to push them to do the work faster," said J. L. Mishra, the chief medical officer in the Sultanpur district. But the government had already paid all the construction fees in advance, leaving almost no leverage.

There is little evidence of the influx of cash in the health center. "We sometimes don't even have soap for our hands," said P. N. Tiwari, the center's vaccination officer. "Meanwhile, they are looting like monkeys," a reference, he said, to politicians, bureaucrats and contractors.

Half a dozen babies are born in the clinic daily, but the water tank is broken, so deliveries are performed without running water. The center has an ambulance, but it, too, is broken. Repairs would cost only about $30, but there is no cash to pay for it.

Crucial medical supplies, like oral rehydration salts for children with diarrhea, have been out of stock for months. Mr. Tiwari said that the money to fuel the generator ran out, leaving workers scrambling to keep vaccines cold.

Mr. Tiwari, a 30-year veteran of the government health system, said he was among those who believed that the vast increase in health funds with so little oversight had led to murder.

"Because of this money two doctors were killed," he said. "A huge amount of money is involved, so a huge amount of crime is taking place."

Doctors started dying in Lucknow last October. When the first to die, Vinod Kumar Arya, was shot, the case was treated as a puzzling mystery: why would anyone kill a mild-mannered government doctor?

The government did not immediately replace Dr. Arya, who had been the chief medical officer for the city, installing as interim chief a more junior officer, Dr. Y. S. Sachan. It was an important position that included responsibility for spending millions of dollars in rural health money from the central government.

In February, a cardiologist, B. P. Singh, was named chief medical officer. He had accepted the job in March under pressure, relatives said, and felt a great deal of strain in the post.

"He used to say there was a lot of corruption," said a cousin, Inder Pratap Singh, a lawyer at Lucknow's high court.

Dr. Singh had begun keeping a diary of improprieties, Mr. Singh said, and complained that he was being pressured to approve false expenditures worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

On April 2, Dr. Singh was killed by two gunmen. A police investigation later concluded that the same weapon had been used in the killing of Dr. Arya.
Suspicion fell on Dr. Sachan, a politically connected bureaucrat who had worked in the city's health department for years.
He was an associate of the minister who managed the health funds, Babu Singh Kushwaha, a close ally of Ms. Mayawati, the state's chief minister. Dr. Sachan was arrested, but few people believed that a relatively junior bureaucrat would have carried out the murders on his own.

Dr. Sachan's wife, Malti, who is also a physician, said that her husband had been sacrificed to protect more powerful people.

"He told me, 'I am being framed in this case,' " she said.

Dr. Sachan had told his wife that he feared someone would kill him and felt safer in jail. He had decided to reveal who had directed him to steal money from the health department, relatives said, in a court appearance.

But the day before he was to appear he was found dead. Initially, officials ruled his death a suicide, but an autopsy revealed that he had bled to death from deep wounds that could not have been self-inflicted.

"The intention was very clear," said R. K. Sachan, Dr. Sachan's brother. "He was going to disclose the involvement of senior politicians in the scam. That is why he was silenced."

The families of the dead doctors hope for justice, but they have kept their expectations low.

"If he had been corrupt, he would have survived," said Mr. Singh, Dr. Singh's cousin. "Never will a senior bureaucrat or politician be convicted. Some small fish will suffer, but never the big ones."
Hari Kumar contributed reporting.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/world/asia/graft-poisons-uttar-pradeshs-health-system-in-india.xml

Governance vs Management in ITIL and COBIT 5

2011-08-29T21:20:00.001-07:00

When I learned ITIL and COBIT, I read a lot about IT governance. What I learned, it was not governance, but management. Until now, there is no clear framework about IT governance. Even in ITIL and COBIT 5. My argumentation is supported by this statement:

I think the reality is that all of what both ITIL and COBIT 5 call "governance" is in fact "management" and that neither framework demonstrates any comprehension of the role of those who are in the true governance role - the board of directors.

Because neither recognises the true governance role, they also miss the opportunity to understand the concept of the "system of governance" which is central to the overall definition for corporate governance as popularised by Cadbury. The system of governance has a deep symbiotic dependence on the system of management and the machinery for effective governance often extends deeply into the management systems.

Having discussed this with the chief of one of the local university business schools recently, I am more convinced that there is a significant gap in academic understanding here and a field that deserves more research.

(Mark Toomey, 2011)

Governance vs Management

2011-08-29T21:10:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, we have a problem to differentiate between governance and management, especially in IT aspect. However, there is a discussion about this in a group. I think this is one the best explanation to differentiate between governance and management.

IT Governance is a global challenge but. IT governance must be an integral part of corporate governance.

IT people and industry in general, make IT sound complex and scare people from corporate governance away. They just leave IT behind as they think its all too complex and things they wont understand.

IT governance should ensures that IT goals are met and IT risks are mitigated such that IT delivers value to sustain and grow the organization.

Now because IT management is mostly 'governing' itself. That is where the problems start. IT management always claim everything is fine and all projects are going great.

Because of lack (or at least the wrong usage) of performance matrices - there is little or no strategic alignment between IT investment and actual delivery.

(Shafiq Hamid)

Bureaucratic Reform Press Conference

2011-07-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

Press conference by Mr M. Jasin, member of KPK, and Mr. Rusdianto, expert staff of Menpan, at "Experiences and Reflections on 2 Years of Cooperation on Bureaucratic Reform Conference" in Mandarin Hotel, July 19, 2011, organized by KOICA and Menpan.

In the conference, there was also award presentasi, given to some innovators. Best of the bests innovator is KPK. The best innovators are BPKP, Kejagung, Bappenas, and Setneg. Congratulation for all of you, but please continue in maintaining the sprit of reform.

Hang Out and Smoking in the Public Area

2011-07-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Some young women who love to hang out and smoking at McDonald's Bintaro, a public area. Any one of them is your daughter?

Bogor Presidential Palace

2011-07-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

One view about Bogor Presidential Palace. Rebuilt more than one hundred years ago.

It's Bengawan Solo Coffe

2011-06-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

Flights Stuck Because of Computer Failure

2011-06-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

Even in the US, flights could be stuck just because of computer failure. You can imagine, in developing countries it could be worst!

U.S. NEWS
United Airlines Flights Delayed by Computer Failure
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
Published: June 18, 2011
Passengers were stranded at airports across the country Friday night after a failure in United Airlines' computer system, the airline said.
The disruption set off widespread delays at airports in San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, with many passengers left sitting in terminals or stuck on planes that were grounded.
United said in a statement that the problems began at 8:15 p.m. New York time, when the computer failure knocked out its flight departures, airport processing and reservations systems. The statement did not address the nationwide delays, and a spokesman did not return a phone call seeking comment.
It was not clear what had set off the computer failure, but United said in its statement that it had a technology team in place that was struggling to restore the system.
"We apologize for the disruption being caused to travelers at affected airports, and we are seeking to resume operations as quickly as possible," the airline said.
Passengers at San Francisco International Airport reported a chaotic scene at the United terminal, while others waiting for flights at various airports around the country took to Twitter as they sat in limbo.
"Sitting on the plane in Chicago wanting to go home so badly but the whole computer system at United Airlines has shut down," wrote @RonRhoads. "Delayed!"
Another stranded passenger, @mettlinger, posted from Dulles International Airport, or IAD: "Latest announcement at IAD: 'Every computer system United Airlines has is down ... Our computers are paperweights.' "

It's North Sulawesi

2011-06-10T19:33:00.000-07:00

The LPSE's Motivators

2011-06-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

The most innovative LPSE

2011-06-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

LPSE Awards for the Biggest Transaction

2011-06-07T21:54:00.001-07:00

Here are the winners for the biggest budget transaction.

Corruption and Procurement

2011-06-07T20:48:00.001-07:00

Abdullah Hehamahua, an adviser of KPK's leaders is giving presentation about the relation between corruption and procurement at 6th LPSE Coordination Meeting, Mercure Hotel, Ancol, Jakarta, on June 7, 2011

E-Procurement Coordination Meeting

2011-06-07T19:53:00.001-07:00

Improving e-procurement systems through continuous innovation

Certified Government Procurement Expert

2011-06-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

As I informed you before on April, 21, I took a certification exam for government procurement expert. Last month, I received the result announcement. I passed it and became one of the Certified Goverment Procurement Expert.

This is my second certification. I have already passed it in the past. However, the new certification is based on the new regulation (Perpres 54 year 2010).

As a Certified Goverment Procurement Expert I could give advise to you if you have any problem about the procurement. I will be happy to share all of my knowledge and skills related to procurement process, especially in the field of IT procurement process.

Binus University

2011-06-04T02:59:00.000-07:00

A place to improve our knowledge in information technology.

Bakso Bakwan Malang

2011-06-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

One of the best places to eat Bakso Bakwan Malang, also a traditional soup from East Java, at Bintaro 9Walk, Bintaro, Pondok Area, Southern Jakarta.

Soto Lamongan

2011-05-31T05:57:00.000-07:00

One of the best places to eat Soto Lamongan (traditional soup from East Java) at Graha Bintaro, Pondok Aren, Tangerang Selatan. Why don't you try it?

E-Government Rating Assessment

2011-05-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

South Sumatera Region, in action, 23 - 24 May, 2011

New Ways to Collaborate for Process Improvement

2011-05-20T06:04:00.001-07:00

A good article on how collaboration has made improvement in vertical, horizontal, and global process.

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/05/new_ways_to_collaborate_for_pr.html

A Pressed Beef Rib Bone

2011-05-16T05:31:00.000-07:00

Do you like to eat traditional pressed beef? You could try pressed beef rib bone at Leko Restaurant, in Ruko Kebayoran Arcade, Boulevard Bintaro Jaya Street. You could ask the hot spicy taste.