Punishment for flag waver

Wed, 04/16/2008 12:31 PM  |  Opinion

One of the reasons for separatism is dissatisfaction of the people. It can be avoided by creating a clean government and poverty eradication -- take Quebec in Canada and Basque in Spain as an example.

What corruptors do, however, is exactly the opposite. They do much more damage to our society than the Maluku flag waver. They create social problems. Many children can't go to school, many natural disasters such as flooding occur, etc., etc.

But I've never heard any single corruptor getting a life sentence. Give the Maluku flag waver just a warning and the life sentence to corruptors.
ADRIANUS MARULITUA
Jakarta

The Maluku flag waver is like a customer or a son. If you are a business owner and a customer complains, would you punish him? The same thing is for a son. If he says he doesn't like to be at home, we should ask him why instead of beating him. If I were a leader, I would invite the Maluku flag waver to a meeting, sit down together and ask him why he wants to separate from Indonesia. Giving him a life sentence is unfair.
GOWOK
Sleman, Yogyakarta

Hypocrisy all around -- April 12, p. 6

The editorial describes religious (Muslim) groups who go after prostitution dens as "overzealous" -- evidently the writer takes the Christian/secular/Western point of view that religion should never mix with life outside the church or mosque or whatever. As soon as you leave that building, forget about religion.

It also refers to prostitutes as "sex workers", excusing their behavior with morally neutral language, and only opposes complete legalization of prostitution for now, as it's "still" too "sensitive" an issue.

In other words, we should legalize it but people are just too recalcitrant right now. I have noticed that The Jakarta Post almost always publishes opinions from a Western/secular/Christian point of view, even though it's published in a country that is 85 percent Muslim.

It even features a regular column on wine, of all things! Obviously the editors see Western secular culture as the ideal for which to aim, and are embarrassed of their own genuine heritage.

If only they could open their eyes and see what decades of moral corruption have brought to the West! I have a proposal: rename your newspaper "The Colonialism Post" and just admit that it is written only for arrogant ethnocentric expatriates and for those who are eager to brush aside their own heritage.
R. A. STALLMANN
Jakarta

You, the editor, generalize all people as hypocrites. You also suggest regulating the sex business. It seems that the Post has committed an insult against women. It's better for the editor to establish a training center for women in any field of business rather than allowing sex.
LUKMAN
Bandar Lampung

Slank rocks on as House drops threat -- April 10, p. 1

A salute to Slank, which is campaigning for anti-corruption with their songs. As a popular band which has a lot of fans, Slank will be a role model for youngsters, or Slankers, not only to stay away from drugs but also corruption.

That's why the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) cooperates with Slank to campaign for anti-corruption. The anti-corruption campaign may cause corruptors insults. I think that's the reason why the House of Representatives planned legal action against Slank over a critical song.

Actually, the House shouldn't have been angry with this song. If they aren't corrupt, they don't need to get mad over this song. Slank said that they composed the song based on gossip on the street. As the result, the song is titled "Gosip Jalanan" (Street Gossip).

In fact, the gossip is true related to Al Amin Nasution's arrest. In this case, people should notice that corruption may happen everywhere, even in "Senayan".

I am really proud of what Slank has done as role model for youngsters and also the KPK who has done a good job arresting corruptors. A salute to Slank and the KPK.
NISSA KHAIRUNISSA
Bandung

A  |   A  |   A  |    |   |    |    |    |  

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.