Several days ago I read a news report saying that a government minister and a senior member of the Golkar Party had openly pledged to set up a Rp 1 trillion trust fund for Golkar to help them win elections in the future (if they make him their leader).
But up to now, I haven't read anything about a one trillion rupiah fund, from Bakrie or anyone else, to help earthquake victims in Padang and West Java.
It seems that when power and prestige are at stake, Indonesia's political and financial elite are able to find massive sums of money to further their ambitions. There is certainly no shortage of personal wealth available here, as evidenced by the ever-increasing number of Bentleys, Ferraris, Porches, Hummers and Lamborghinis that are visible on the streets of Jakarta these days.
People who are members of the financial elite seem to care so much about power and money that when opportunities to get more power and money present themselves, massive amounts like one trillion rupiah can suddenly become available. But when it comes to providing much-needed humanitarian assistance for fellow citizens, the same voices are never heard. Although, if this was still election campaign season, then there would be up to 40 political parties at the disaster area, handing out food and T-shirts with candidates' faces on them, and money would flow like water. Unfortunately, campaigning is over.
And the government seems determined to do everything as slowly and bureaucratically as possible. For example, I saw on the news that one regent refused to release aid (which was piling up in his office) unless victims could show documentation from their neighborhood chief (presumably to prove that they were residents and that their houses had been destroyed). I wondered how an earthquake victim would get the necessary letters if the local chief himself was also buried under the ruins of his house.
Many countries are lining up to send assistance to the victims in Padang, and that is both desperately needed and gratefully accepted. But the wealthier citizens of Indonesia are capable of doing so much more themselves. Unfortunately, they probably won't. A majority of well-off people I have seen in Jakarta is so full of self-interest it almost seems to be a cultural obsession to take care of yourself above all else and do as little as possible to help others. Or at least, help others a little bit (as a token gesture) without sacrificing too much, so that you can still live in excessive luxury.
Throughout history, there have been numerous examples of larger-than-life individuals, who were less concerned with lives of excessive luxury and more concerned with how they could be of service to others, for the benefit and the betterment of all mankind. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa are just a few examples. If only we had such people living here in Indonesia to set an example to others, then there might be fewer Hummers on the streets of Jakarta and more free public kitchens in Padang right now.
Realistically, we can expect that aid will slowly arrive, some people will live, some will die, some will survive and become beggars because they are now destitute or physically disabled, and the whole country will forget and focus their attention once again on which TV stars are getting divorced. At least until the next natural disaster occurs, and then everyone will care again for a few minutes before their favorite soap operas and celebrity gossip shows start. And the people with wealth and power in Jakarta will also quickly forget, and will refocus their attention on a very a difficult decision: "Shall I buy another Bentley or a Ferrari this time?"
And life will go on as usual. Welcome to Indonesia. See you next natural disaster, when the comments above will be repeated, as nothing will have changed.
Gene Netto
Jakarta
