Forum: Wake up, Minister Djoko

Mon, 05/12/2008 10:51 AM  |  Reader's Forum

This is a response to a comment made by Heru Andriyanto on my previous comment on an editorial titledUp, Minister Djoko", The Jakarta Post, May 3.

Papak Heru, I guess I dare write those words, because as a former taxpayer to your treasured republic, and a very large taxpayer at that, I earned the right to comment on how my tax rupiah were so poorly misspent.

As a resident, not a tourist, I learned that most rich Indonesians, including government ministers and former presidents and their children, avoid paying their legal share of taxes. No wonder the Achenese, Papuans, etc. are upset their wealth is transferred to Jakarta to be misspent by Javanese imperialists. TOMASO TETTAMANTI
Lugano, Switzerland

Hi, Tettamanti. I have been living in Lugano for more than five years, and I was surprised that Lugano, small city, only 20,000 people, nobody in the street after 5 p.m., was home to so many bank-fraud scandals.

We can find pickpockets, drunk people on the street and drug addicts easily as your neighborhood is very cold during winter. Switzerland is known as a country of sin but its appearance is that of a holy city. We probably need to learn why?
ALESSIO
Lugano, Switzerland

It seems that narrow minded people are everywhere. I think Westerns from high-education backgrounds are not always better in their thinking.

Indonesia's current mess is due to mismanagement, not the country's size. Come on, China and India are also big countries. They have succeeded in their development. Indonesia is a big country, meaning it has a lot of potential.

We have time on our side. Western countries began developing centuries ago. Countries in the East started developing no more than half a century ago.

Of course, we have the West to thank for lessons on imperialism and colonialism.

We can't blame them because it's down to our own stupidity. I hope our Western friends excessively enjoy their lives (less than 40 hours working weeks and lots of holiday).

We will catch you up.

For my countrymen, please work harder if you want to be respected and have better lives.

Let's hope the hardship and disgrace end during our generation so we can offer new generations better lives. As our leader SBY said, we are not a nation in waiting, but a nation awakening.
L. SYU
Jakarta

Airport train -- May 7, p. 4

I suppose Jakarta's international airport is meant to serve visitors from another planet!

A subway and a Mass Rapid Transit are needed all over town. Just decide where to start.

It is appalling that no progress has been made for many years because of a shortage of just US$500 million. How much money is lost daily in traffic jams?

The city can finance six-lane highways but cannot finance two tracks for trains. I know why. The government officials fancy cars do not run on tracks.

If you are responsible, build public transportation now for all.
JOHN WILFRED
Jakarta

Perth welcomes Indonesians

Once Western Australia's visitors recover from the very negative arrivals experience at Perth's third world international airport, they will see that this growing multicultural city is a most attractive slower-paced destination in which to both relax and, indeed, settle.

In general, Western Australians are friendly and very tolerant people who respect the beliefs and rights of those who are not native born.

Bali is the first-choice holiday destination for many Western Australian travelers of all ages and interests, so the exposure to and basic understanding of Indonesia and its people are actually broader and greater than many realize.

Links between Western Australia and Indonesia are as strong in 2008 as they have been for many years - and be it for a place to study for students of all levels, from Primary School through to Master's Degrees, for a relaxing holiday in a quality Indian Ocean destination, or indeed for a place to settle, Perth and Western Australia have a great deal to offer our Indonesian neighbors - and they are most welcome.
GRAHAM HORNEL
City Beach, Western Australia

UN's environmental award -- May 07, p. 7

Frankly speaking, I did not quite get the point of this opinion. The author is questioning the UN's environmental award, but in the end he asks why our government did not join, or even care about the award.

However, he actually did provide the answer to the latter question by arguing the UNEP paid little attention to ASEAN countries, and that Indonesia was held the opposite philosophy.

It is interesting how the author presents his judgment on Indonesia as an environmental troublemaker. We should admit that. However, it is unfair to only blame Indonesia.

We should think about who is behind the deforestation in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The culprits are the TNCs. I am reading a good article about the impact of the FDI and TNCs on the environmental.

We commonly blame the state for not providing appropriate environmental regulations. I do not disagree.

Nonetheless, we are confronted by theto the bottom" phenomenon, where a state or country lowers its standards in order to attract foreign investors.

Mostly it occurs amid South-South competition. Indonesia is one example of this. The state is being pushed to reduce its standards because foreign investments demand it.

Finally, regarding the UN body's award itself; it is for sure very surprising that Prince Albert II of Monaco and Liz Thompson have been selected as the winners.

This merely shows that UNEP serves to cater to the interests of certain party members.
HARIATI
Jakarta

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