Letter: Hopeful Indonesia

Thu, 05/08/2008 11:03 AM  |  Reader's Forum

I can now say I am really one of the happiest men in the world. Why? I live in Indonesia - a just, balanced and beautiful country, with a colorful landscape, full of green trees and perfumed clean rivers.

I am certainly a happy man, as I have learned there is no nationwide ban on Ahmadiyah, no violence, no persecution. The man waving the separatist flag in front of the President has been pardoned and freed from his life sentence. Dewi Persik is no longer restricted from bouncing around her swinging, seductive and talkative body in her Dangdut show.

The endemic corruption has been eradicated and remains only a joke of the past, while the shameful poverty rate has decreased considerably and high standard of living is a comfortable reality, with free health care and free education. Identity cards do not require a religious status and are valid in every corner of the archipelago.

My happiness soars as I am a Westerner married to a young and charming Indonesian lady, therefore awarded with special benefits: immigration authorities might have been told by a secret agent from my embassy I am a reliable person and a model citizen; I am allowed to stay and live in Indonesia without the infamous, costly, tiresome monthly visa run; Itake anybody's job away and I spend my generous full pension.

Well, readers, don't be impressed! Don't laugh! Just hold your unpolluted breath. I just wrote all this upside down.

ARTHUR J. SANTOS
Jakarta

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