By: Ahmad Harris *
Who does not know Sandiaga Salahudin Uno, candidate vice president number 2, who is full of intrigue and controversy. With a background in young entrepreneurs, Sandiaga Uno began his career in politics in the last Jakarta Governor Election. Shortly after, his political career increased sharply after being elected as a vice presidential candidate for Prabowo Subianto. A number of people consider their background as entrepreneurs will have a positive impact on the Indonesian economy. This is because Sandiaga Uno is considered to have capabilities in the business and economic fields.
Unfortunately, the assessment is merely subjectivity without looking at the facts and data. At first glance, Sandiaga Uno is indeed heard as an entrepreneur who is able to manage the company well. However, if explored further, there are surprising facts about Sandi’s governance of Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg BusinessWeek and Indonesian Finance Today newspapers that are included in the holding group IDEA Group. In November 2015, a number of employees from the company were laid off by the company. However, these employees did not get the rights in the form of severance pay, THR and wages for their performance. Various mediation efforts are carried out by employees to request clarity of their rights from the company. Not infrequently, they asked Sandiaga Uno as a shareholder, over the issue.
However, Sandiaga Uno did not contribute much to settling wages and severance pay for layoffs. When asked by employees, Sandiaga Uno tended to answer diplomatically without providing concrete solutions for both parties. The company’s actions clearly violated the legislation, both law number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower and Minister of Manpower Regulation Number 6 of 2016 concerning Religious Holidays for Workers / Labor Allowances at the Company.
When compared with the assets of Sandiaga Uno which reached fantastic figures at the trillion level, of course paying wages, severance pay and THR is a very easy thing to do. However, why did the issue not end up running for 3 years? In fact, this was motivated by the intelligence of an entrepreneur, Sandiaga Uno, in carrying out economic calculations. As an entrepreneur, it has become his instinct to avoid losses and gain profits. Even though Sandiaga Uno’s assets will not run out to pay wages and severance pay, he is aware that there is a loss he experiences if he takes such steps. Therefore, he tends to answer diplomatically and hopes that other shareholders and CEOs of the company will overcome the problem. Not caring about the rules that have been set, Sandiaga Uno and friends seemed to have closed their ears at the urging of employees.
It does not mean antipathy towards entrepreneurs, but it seems that Sandiaga Uno is not yet feasible to manage the country. In his campaign, Sandiaga Uno promised to improve the welfare of the community and provide employment for the productive age community. Unfortunately, through the Bloomberg issue, it can be seen how Sandiaga Uno cannot provide welfare and certainty to eight employees who were laid off. So, how could he be able to provide welfare to two hundred million Indonesians? Indeed, Indonesia does not need a leader who has an entrepreneurial background, a simple leader who does not think of personal profit in leading. Undoubtedly, Indonesia will advance as an honest, civilized and prosperous nation.
*) FISIP Student at the Dharma Agung University