Forum: Taxpayer money

Thu, 03/27/2008 12:07 PM  |  Reader's Forum

Taxpayer's money (my money) should definitely not be spent on the Sidoarjo (Lapindo Brantas) mud catastrophe nor should it be corrupted. It should be spent on transportation infrastructure, houses for low income families and for increasing salaries of civil servants.
RP SOEPRAPTO
Jakarta

We can learn from our neighbors. Last week, I was in Singapore. Roads, pedestrians, buses and other public facilities are very user-friendly. If the government wants people to pay tax, it should consider the question, "What's in it for me?"

The answer should not be written on billboards or banners, but just be real.
YAYU FAUZI
Jakarta

RI, ASEAN-EU FTA deal -- March 25, p. 14

This article is interesting because it seems to contain a rare admission by a government official that he is simply not up to the task at hand--negotiating with the big boys on international trade agreements.

This is, of course, something most of us have known for a long time, but when the Director General of the division in charge of this particular job admits it himself, you know something is wrong.

Then again, the first step toward solving a problem is admitting we have one. My only question now is whether the Director General in question will still have his job in the morning.
SIMON LACEY
Jakarta

Visit Indonesia Year? -- March 12, p. 6

It's sad to see Indonesia still has a negligible increases in tourism despite the government proclaiming 2008 as 'Visit Indonesia Year'.

Indonesia has hundreds of tourist destinations based on a myriad of diverse geographical and cultural denominations. This proves by merely setting up objectives nothing can be achieved until genuine efforts are made.

It is high time Indonesia realizes the potential of its tourism market particularly when other ASEAN nations are enjoying the tourist influx.
DR. GAUTAMA K. JHA
Jakarta

 

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