TheJakartaPost
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Issues: Editorial: Incredible foreign help
Every school child knows that this country is rich and beautiful
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em>Every school child knows that this country is rich and beautiful. Less known to them is the country's vulnerability to disasters as this has been less emphasized in the classroom. When schoolchildren become adults, this lack of awareness sticks. This is part of the reason why we tend to be slow in tackling disasters like the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that rocked West Sumatra on Sept. 30 killing more than 1,000 people, destroying thousands of buildings and devastating scores of towns and villages.
Your comments:
How much you donate does not matter as long as you are sincere. Let's hope that the Indonesian government will be more prepared to face disasters like this in the future. I hope the surviving victims will have the spirit to move on. God bless them.
Nel
Sabah, Malaysia
I want to comment on NGOs and foreign aid agencies. During the 2004 tsunami, they came, lived in star-rated hotels, drove around in brand new SUV's and were clueless on what needed to be done. The locals had to help themselves. Every country needs to plan for disasters and be prepared and only accept specific targeted help. Otherwise we will receive outdated medicine, food, useless items and inexperienced westerners looking for something to do.
Sam
UAE
Sam, you're talking about Aceh. The overseas aid agents came with cash, food and vehicles. If they want to stay in hotels or drive around why not? They are the one (or their government) who'll pay for it.
I for one do not want to make myself miserable by sleeping in a ditch or walking for kilometers if there are better alternatives. Food, whether it is outdated, is better than no food at all, at least there are people out there willing to help.
Patrick JB
Malaysia
Sam, it is better to help than not help at all. What's wrong with foreign help being driven around on bicycles?
Or would you prefer they walk? And on your comment about outdated medicine and such, did you know that even though the expiry date may have passed, the medicine could still be adequate?
Did you know that there's such a thing as a pre-quality checks on foodstuffs and medicines before they are shipped out for use? It's best for you to read up and boost your general knowledge before commenting on such issues in future.
It just goes to show how lame and childish people can be just to have their posts listed online on a major newspaper's website. Grow up will you.
L Tan
Batam, Riau Island
It's good that there are still a number of Indonesians who are aware that their people occasionally need the help of people from other countries. Malaysia is one of the first countries to channel aid to Indonesians whenever disasters befall the people of the country.
Unfortunately, you are not comfortable enough to mention Malaysia in your report. Indonesians should be smart and grateful enough to notice that Malaysians are very kind-hearted to them despite the threat from some Indonesian morons who attack Malaysians with sharpened bamboo poles over issues they don't really understand.
Malaysians are not thieves like the many Indonesians who enter Malaysia illegally to avoid starvation. It is not an offense to be thankful to the people of a country who help to make your life better.
Rimau
Kuala Lumpur
Dear Rimau, please check your claims. In one article the paper did mention that the Malaysian government had donated US$1 million to the victims. Please check your facts.
Fairuz
Shah Alam, Malaysia
I agree with this opinion. We, as the people of this big country, should be thankful to foreigners without any prejudice. It's only a matter of humanity.
Vira
Jakarta
I hope everything will return to normal again soon. Too many things have happened in this country over the last couple of years. I hope that God will bless this country.
Ato
Toraja, South Sulawesi
