Letter: Energy shortage

The management of PLN should be fired for their inability to provide a vital service for the public and businesses in Java.

Regardless of the power plant being coal-fired or by natural gas, PLN can't or won't insure sufficient stocks of coal are on location "ready for use".

Just because BP is going to replace a low-pressure flair tip, why wasn't another pipeline in place to insure continuous supplies of gas for maintenance of the main gas line.

Our President, SBY, tells us to quit complaining? Why shouldn't we complain. We're paying taxes for what? His generators at his office, his houses and all the other minister's residences and their offices?

In addition to PLN being corrupt and broke, they are going to give us a 10 percent discount off our inflated monthly invoices. Can PLN actually afford giving us this "discount"? If your meter isn't turning, you're not getting power and you're not paying anyway.

It is always too little too late here and the government is trying to play catch up with the rest of Southeast Asia. Why are we always falling behind a country like Thailand? We have more natural resources than any other country in Southeast Asia and yet we're sucking on the hind teat.

It is a sad state of affairs and I fear it isn't going to get any better anytime soon. I had great visions for SBY when he was elected President of this great country and told all of my Indonesian friends that SBY deserved another chance/another 5 years; however my thoughts are changing fast.

MIKE COLEMAN
Jakarta