A very good opinion. But I don't think that a culture of shame is enough. It is needed, but it's only the beginning of an ethical development, as it is only a bit part of morality. What we need most is guilt culture.
Urip and Artalyta are ashamed. But do they feel guilty? I don't think so. Our corrupt legislators are ashamed of the gratifications they had received and thus busy in giving back the money to KPK. But do they feel guilty?
The basis of doing or not doing something should be whether it is right or wrong, not whether I'll be ashamed because of it or not. Students should not cheat because it's wrong and they'll have guilt in doing so, not because they'll be ashamed of it. This is what we should teach. A culture of shame is artificial but culture of guilt is absolute and universal.
JOKO ARIF
Jakarta
"Ethics, as a branch of philosophy dealing with morality, should be considered as an alternative school subject to be included in the curriculum."
Ethics is required, usually two semesters, in all MBA courses in America. (Replace the required ego-centric religious courses in all high schools and universities.)
But if you are serious about ending corruption, then create a proper tax department. It must be above suspicion with its own internal self-investigative police. It must conduct audits with due diligence.
It must have the authority to arrest, no exceptions, and confiscate possessions. If you cannot prove how you earned your bank account funds or your new house or Mercedes, they will be immediately confiscated (you are guilty if you cannot prove your innocence). It must have its own prosecutors and courts, totally independent of the normal legal system.
BRIEN
Jakarta
Curbing city motorcycles -- Sept. 7, Online
Reliable, comfortable and affordable public transport is needed to solve this problem. Look at Singapore. They provide good public transportation.
I believe the Indonesian government will defend themselves by saying they have no funds to provide public transportation. But actually money is not a problem if you have a proper plan and a strong will.
You may read former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin's history to open your mindset.
ROBIN
Jakarta
Reviewing sharia bylaws -- Sept. 9, p. 1
We are glad that finally the government is acting and hopefully will dismantle all sharia-based bylaws in this Asian future superpower country, Indonesia. "Unity in diversity" is our strength.
The state should be separated from religion. Europe was not able to develop and mature under the church; it was only after the church and religious matters were separated from the state that the law was able to be implemented equally for everyone.
Today we can see that people with Muslim attributes don't wear helmets, why are they above the law. Can you drive around town without a helmet if you wear a big cross?
I don't think so and so it shouldn't be accepted but as long as religion is higher then the law of the state it will never be able to be implemented. As long as woman with jilbabs can drive around without a helmet the law is ineffective as religion is above the law of the state thus useless.
JON
Jakarta
