Comments: Mudflow debate

Mon, 06/29/2009 12:33 PM  |  Reader's Forum

The three-year-old mudflow disaster made its way into last week's inaugural presidential debate. It was one of the questions posed to the three presidential candidates but their responses were all disappointing.

Given the first chance to speak on the mudflow, Megawati Soekarnoputri talked about the past, referring to what the current government should have done at the time: i.e. evacuate the victims. But, she failed to attack her main rival, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who apparently appeared defensive on this issue.

Your comments:
My impression is that the three presidential candidates were just blurting answers. Mega obviously was, as she got the first turn. The other two had a bit more content in their answers, but fell back on repeating their points several times, and did not actually mention anything new.

Most importantly, the question was not about what each candidate thought about the issue. The question was what one would do about it if one were elected?

The only one that made some form of direct answer to this was Jusuf Kalla He said: sophisticated technology.

But he was just bluffing; I honestly doubt he knew anything about the technical aspects of the issue.

If there was a technological solution to this, it would have been used. I am not a geologist either, but all my common sense tells me there is no way the mud can be stopped.

The debate's moderator rightly pointed out Indonesia is a disaster-prone country.

Looking into the future, it would be a good idea to set up funds, disaster coordination teams and to have each province work out an evacuation plan.

Of course, ultimately we come to the question: who will pay the bills? I suppose we all should, which means don't get angry if taxes are raised.

P. Drive

I mostly agree with this editorial. However, the information I received from the victims is that they pleaded with the media to keep in perspective the so-called "compensation" repeatedly blown up by the media is, in fact, "land buying" of the whole Porong area.

Therefore, as the mudflow is not being dealt with, the mud has spread in such a way as to benefit the company, for should the mud flow suddenly stop (by a miracle?) the company will own most of the region.

Or if the mudflow never stops, the company can expand into brick making, since they will have an endless supply of mud.

Patrick

A global nuclear disorder--June 24, p. 5

The world is edging precariously toward nuclear anarchy. The warning signs of the collapse of the global nuclear order are clear. The emergence of a dangerous axis of nations with nuclear ambitions - North Korea, Iran and Pakistan - is a very real threat. They are daggers pointing at the heart of peace and stability. The brute facts emanating from these three states suggest an irreversible bottom line: trends toward nuclear powers in the world are worsening.

Your comments:
You didn't mention India, the first country to disturb the nuclear order. Some hidden agenda?

M. Asif

You mention North Korea, Iran and Pakistan as part of dangerous axis of nations with nuclear ambitions, why not India?

It was India that actually triggered the nuclear race in South Asia. And what about Israel? Isn't the main reason for Iran trying to get her hands on nuclear weapons the threat it faces from Israel.

Anderson

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