P

robably former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher would not have lasted very long here in Indonesia as within a week or so of holding office, she would have probably sacked the whole House of Representatives.

Her only problem with doing that would have been trying to find the legislators as attendance at the House is too much of a hit and miss affair.

I suppose people would say the cultural difference between Britain and Indonesia is like chalk and cheese, but when it comes to the principles of government, there should be no real difference.

Certainly in Britain there is a more direct approach to events and lots of straight-talking as opposed to going round and trying to appease opposition parties or religions.

Despite the differences, Indonesia clearly needs not only a new leader but one that can change the direction of and thinking in the country.

Such a person probably exists, but it is doubtful if he or she would ever get the chance to prove their worth. As the national exams take place, the 'old school' has woken up from hibernation.

Political parties deserve to be dragged through the coals for their inept and inefficient performances as they are excelling only at corruption, which I suppose is par for the course.

They have let down and deceived the Indonesian people through collusion, nepotism, corruption, purposeful inefficiencies, negligence, self-interest and blatant abuse of power, with none of those unworthy attributes a part of their previous election campaign.

So what will they say this time round and who will believe them? Well unfortunately and for a number of reasons, people will still support and vote for these scallywags probably more out of self-interest rather than anything else.

It is that very same self-interest that the politicians love, but of course most people will follow that line.

If that happens (which likely it will) then Indonesia will remain as it is, and it will be business as usual but with a higher price to pay for fuel.

To be fair to Indonesia, the inefficiencies in government is a worldwide problem, but what is sad about this place is the fact that the opportunities to forge ahead are enormous.

Very few countries occupy such a position of luxury, and therefore it is a shame that the greed of the few has destroyed the dreams of the many.

David Wallis
Medan