I'm proud of you, Pak President. Don't be afraid of congressmen from this arrogant country. Indonesians will always support you in this case.
RUDI
Jakarta
Six coal exporters -- Aug. 12, Online
This ban is to remedy a fairly common scam used by Indonesian exporters and importers which use offshore "marketing companies" to mark up the value of exports/imports and thereby transfer the profits offshore to avoid paying full Indonesian income taxes.
If the Finance Ministry had reliable tax auditors it could reap a huge bonanza in taxes by stopping this abuse throughout all industries, not just that of coal.
TOMASO TETTAMANTI
Lugano, Switzerland
The government has to give priority to fulfill domestic energy needs. But demand for electricity hasn't been fulfilled domestically, whereas it has a huge effect in accelerating the growth of other sectors.
That is an irony; we produce coal, but we live with a lack of electricity. I can't think what will happen in education, industry and other sectors if we live in darkness. Grow up Indonesia.
MIZAN
Jakarta
Did the Games begin? -- Aug. 12, p. 6
Sports are a great part of everyone's life. The values one learns from sports such as fairness, teamwork, discipline and hard work are all values that one can apply to daily life.
I am fortunate to have an opportunity throughout my life to play sports and in my time in Indonesia, I have also had the joy of teaching a "foreign" sport -- rugby -- to Indonesians, who have excelled on an international pitch by defeating Brunei, Laos and Cambodia from 2006 to 2008 and now have a proud record of seven wins from eight attempts.
This shows that Indonesians can perform when tested internationally, but most of the populace need an opportunity to learn what international sports are all about and what better way than to watch the Olympics?
I absolutely applaud the two young Indonesian weight lifters who have done all the hard training and have "won" bronze medals at these Olympics -- you don't just "get" a medal at the Olympics! Well done lads, you are a credit to yourselves, your families, your coaches and your supporters.
STEVE BARBER
Jakarta
I totally agree with this editorial. It's very sad -- the lack of interest in promoting sports from the RI government. My mother is Spanish and my father is Indonesian, and I can see the difference between the countries.
Here in Spain the public channel is broadcasting the Games all day and most of the people are interested in it. Spain has become one of the strongest countries in many important sports such as football, basketball, tennis and cycling but this wasn't the situation too many years ago.
Thank to spectacular economic growth during the past 15 years. Spain has invested in its sports (schools, universities and sports clubs) and we are collecting the fruits now. Indonesia is now in notable economic growth and the RI government should do the same thing.
TONI
Barcelona
Religious but corrupt -- Aug. 14, p. 7
Mas Usep, although corruption is independent of religion, at the same time it could also be dependent on it. Yes, it's true that it is about listening to our inner voice. The question is: How do we listen to it?
By being true to ourselves.
Only when we can be true to ourselves then we can listen to our inner voice. But, how to be true? By knowing who we really are. The problem with our nation is that we don't even know who we really are.
This question needs to be asked at the nation and personal levels. This is when religion plays its role. Religion should bring us to be able to know who we are. Unfortunately, religious education is merely a formality.
Our religion is more of doctrinal teaching, which requires its listener to memorize. It's the same problem with our education system. Our education system never teaches us to know who we are and it's the other side of the coin along with religion education.
Lastly, our political system obviously does not even care to teach its citizen to know who they really are. That said, in my opinion, corruption is not completely dependent on religion and it is also not completely independent.
NIKO
Jakarta
