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Authors: Mochtar Lubis
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authority have already received instructions to support the party’s efforts. What do you think?’
Raden Kaslan looked at Husin Limbara. He had heard already of the party’s intentions to raise this money, for quite some time he had been hoping that he would be invited to participate. Even though his name was being mentioned among the council’s members, he had not failed to solicit on his own the help of friends among the council members. And he had already spent several thousand rupiah in connection with these efforts.
‘If the members of our party in positions of authority give their support it will not be too great a problem,’ said Raden Kaslan. ‘Of all the economic sectors, the easiest to get money from is certainly the import sector, whereas the other sectors will ask for time, ask for organisation, ask for personnel – as for instance transportation, or export, or industry – the import sector will need nothing at all.
‘All it will need is a name of a corporation, and that’s all. We’re just going to sell the import licences which we obtain. I suggest that we make two plans. One for quick results, that is via the import sector of business. And the other, a permanent plan, for establishing banks, industries and so forth.’
‘Ah, not in vain do people say that Raden Kaslan is an expert in economics,’ laughed Husin Limbara.
‘No, it’s really not so difficult,’ said Raden Kaslan. ‘Importers are willing to buy their licences, particularly for ordinary goods which are public necessities, for as much as 200 per cent more. So if, for instance, the price of all licences is one hundred thousandrupiah they could be sold for up to three hundred thousand rupiah. And we get three hundred thousand rupiah clean without investing a single cent!’
‘Good!’ said Husin Limbara and clapped his hand on the table with delight. ‘According to our calculations, our party, in order to win in the coming general elections, will need at least thirty million. Do you think we can raise this amount in six months?’
Raden Kaslan was silent a while, calculating.
‘Ah, no trouble,’ he said.
‘Good,’ said Husin Limbara again. ‘I leave it to you to prepare the plans.’
‘However, there is one more principle which ought to be settled,’ said Raden Kaslan. ‘What percentage does the party get, and how much for the people who implement the plan? This work involves risks, of course ….’
‘Ah, as for risks, don’t be afraid. Our ministers will protect them.’
‘Oh, that’s not what I meant,’ said Raden Kaslan suavely. ‘But even though these corporations we establish will be fake, there nevertheless will arise financial consequences such as taxes, certification fees and many other things.’
‘Ah, now what would be proper in your opinion, brother Raden Kaslan?’
‘I think fifty-fifty is fair. Fifty for the party and fifty for the names of the people we will use.’
‘Isn’t that too much?’ asked Husin Limbara distrustfully.
‘How come too much? The party will be sure to have the money in six months,’ Raden Kaslan answered.
‘Brother Raden Kaslan, you realise, of course, the importance of maintaining complete secrecy in this matter?’ asked Husin Limbara.
‘Ah, certainly! I will exercise the greatest caution. Isn’t my own reputation involved too?’
Husin Limbara rose from his chair, and, stooping slightly to favour his hurting shoulder, stepped to the door, then turned to Raden Kaslan and said,
‘When do you think you can bring the plans?’
‘Give me a week,’ said Raden Kaslan.
‘All right, a week. Let me know.’
On the front verandah they saw Fatma who sat in a chair reading, and at the piano in the corner Suryono, lackadaisically playing some tunes.
‘Are you going directly home, mas?’ 1 said Fatma. ‘Won’t you have something to drink?’
‘Ah forgive me, mbakju, 2 another time. Too much work.’
‘Suryono, come here for a moment. Meet Pak Husin
Raden Kaslan looked at Husin Limbara. He had heard already of the party’s intentions to raise this money, for quite some time he had been hoping that he would be invited to participate. Even though his name was being mentioned among the council’s members, he had not failed to solicit on his own the help of friends among the council members. And he had already spent several thousand rupiah in connection with these efforts.
‘If the members of our party in positions of authority give their support it will not be too great a problem,’ said Raden Kaslan. ‘Of all the economic sectors, the easiest to get money from is certainly the import sector, whereas the other sectors will ask for time, ask for organisation, ask for personnel – as for instance transportation, or export, or industry – the import sector will need nothing at all.
‘All it will need is a name of a corporation, and that’s all. We’re just going to sell the import licences which we obtain. I suggest that we make two plans. One for quick results, that is via the import sector of business. And the other, a permanent plan, for establishing banks, industries and so forth.’
‘Ah, not in vain do people say that Raden Kaslan is an expert in economics,’ laughed Husin Limbara.
‘No, it’s really not so difficult,’ said Raden Kaslan. ‘Importers are willing to buy their licences, particularly for ordinary goods which are public necessities, for as much as 200 per cent more. So if, for instance, the price of all licences is one hundred thousandrupiah they could be sold for up to three hundred thousand rupiah. And we get three hundred thousand rupiah clean without investing a single cent!’
‘Good!’ said Husin Limbara and clapped his hand on the table with delight. ‘According to our calculations, our party, in order to win in the coming general elections, will need at least thirty million. Do you think we can raise this amount in six months?’
Raden Kaslan was silent a while, calculating.
‘Ah, no trouble,’ he said.
‘Good,’ said Husin Limbara again. ‘I leave it to you to prepare the plans.’
‘However, there is one more principle which ought to be settled,’ said Raden Kaslan. ‘What percentage does the party get, and how much for the people who implement the plan? This work involves risks, of course ….’
‘Ah, as for risks, don’t be afraid. Our ministers will protect them.’
‘Oh, that’s not what I meant,’ said Raden Kaslan suavely. ‘But even though these corporations we establish will be fake, there nevertheless will arise financial consequences such as taxes, certification fees and many other things.’
‘Ah, now what would be proper in your opinion, brother Raden Kaslan?’
‘I think fifty-fifty is fair. Fifty for the party and fifty for the names of the people we will use.’
‘Isn’t that too much?’ asked Husin Limbara distrustfully.
‘How come too much? The party will be sure to have the money in six months,’ Raden Kaslan answered.
‘Brother Raden Kaslan, you realise, of course, the importance of maintaining complete secrecy in this matter?’ asked Husin Limbara.
‘Ah, certainly! I will exercise the greatest caution. Isn’t my own reputation involved too?’
Husin Limbara rose from his chair, and, stooping slightly to favour his hurting shoulder, stepped to the door, then turned to Raden Kaslan and said,
‘When do you think you can bring the plans?’
‘Give me a week,’ said Raden Kaslan.
‘All right, a week. Let me know.’
On the front verandah they saw Fatma who sat in a chair reading, and at the piano in the corner Suryono, lackadaisically playing some tunes.
‘Are you going directly home, mas?’ 1 said Fatma. ‘Won’t you have something to drink?’
‘Ah forgive me, mbakju, 2 another time. Too much work.’
‘Suryono, come here for a moment. Meet Pak Husin
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