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strong>April 15, p6

It is obvious why we keep checking off the names Muhammad Hatta, Gen. Hoegeng and Gen. Sudirman on lists noting exemplary figures. They are individuals whom we look up to on account of the values they stood up for: Hatta for his promotion of austerity, Hoegeng for averting graft despite having the chance to commit it and Sudirman for his unconditional love for this country. (By Anies Baswedan, Jakarta)

Your comments:

Pak Anies has managed to encapsulate the core issues facing Indonesian politics and leadership or lack thereof. I wish more people could see the truth as you see it and were willing to recognize the issues for the future. Only then can the situation improve for Indonesia ' the people really do deserve better than what they are currently getting.

Simon

What Anies wrote cannot be more than the truth. Nothing more needs to be said. I'm shocked on a daily basis noticing how people interact in Jakarta.

We used to pride ourselves on being a cultured nation. That period is long gone. I think our nation is very, very ill, and the extent of the damage is huge as even the so-called 'educated' are no different from the least privileged.

Something has to be done or we will regret it for the rest of our lives.

Thank you Anies for being so candid in bringing this issue into the open. You have my deepest respect.

Hatanto Reksodipoetro