A convoy of big motorbikes drove down the streets of Tajur on their way from Bogor to Ciawi last Saturday morning. In front of them a few police escorts, also on bikes, opened the road for them, their sirens blaring at 8:30 a.m.

People scrambled for safety as these arrogant bikers sped along a busy road. I wondered about the fact that just a few months ago, the President himself said that police escorts should only be used according to their rules and regulations.

But here were thoughtless, uncivilized bikers being escorted as though they were the owners of this country. I wonder why such human brings are allowed to ride in such an unruly manner in the first place, clearly without any thoughts for others.

They obviously broke most of the traffic laws. This is a jungle law country. BAGOES NARAYANA

Bogor, West Java

Investment scam victims Jan. 26, p. 3

We've had enough and we're taking back control of our own investment dollars. If you thought stock manipulation was and is illegal, you're right. But, since manipulation is hard to prove, big league corporations can get away with manipulating and controlling the market, and some of them thrive on it.

The big bad ones are raking in billions of dollars every year, illegally, with no-one saying a word. They think they are immune and safe, as indeed they are, unless someone does something to rock their boat.

Manipulators saturate the media with carefully worded information, even though they know it is either fully or partially false, because they know that what they put out there will create a false or misleading impression about the real state of the market.

This false reality is intended to send other traders and investors into a panic to sell or buy a stock. Enter BasherBusters.com. We're here to give individual traders a free, accurate, instantaneous forum that can make a big impact on putting an end to market greed and on leveling the playing field for investors of all sizes. But we can't do it alone. Voice your opinions, report the disparities you find, and use us to check up on what you've heard elsewhere. Help us keep them honest. And by the way, since we're privately funded, you can be sure we are not for sale and we never will be. VERACITY JONES Montreal, Canada

BIN and Munir Jan. 26, p. 2

The police want to make sure that Polycarpus is well protected from any attempts to "silence" him. The whole civilized world is watching Indonesia to see if it has the political will to protect a crucial witness to a murder most foul. PAUL E. RANTAU

Singapore

Ministry's Microsoft love Jan. 26, p. 1

It is a pity. But yes, we need to educate ourselves to welcome the open-source era. Somehow, Microsoft has made us dependable but they continue to lose revenues because of piracy. I think most people in Indonesia are too lazy to learn. Don't want to change, don't want to learn, don't want to pay. ROBIN

Kuta, Bali

Post-tsunami aid Jan. 26, p 2

The true way of showing appreciation to the millions of people all over the world who donated huge sums of money to rebuild Aceh and Nias is to complete the earmarked reconstruction without delays and without corruption. PAUL E. RANTAU

Singapore

Soeharto loyalists Jan. 25, p. 2

Acquire the assets his cronies collected using (misusing) his position. This should be done the sooner the better, else his cronies will also start disappearing! VIKAS VAIDYA

Pune, India

Jakarta's environment Jan. 26, p. 6

The content of this article should be sent in Bahasa Indonesia and illustrated with simple but clear pictures to each and every resident not only of Jakarta, but all over the country in any city. CHRISTIAN

Vienna

'The Golden Compass' Jan. 26, p. 7

I have also watched The Golden Compass. I was lost for words after reading the letter from Andrey Dmitrichenko about the bad characters in the movie speaking Russian. Well, the fact and fiction of the story are far different.

In my personal opinion, the U.S. is the biggest culprit that causes chaos in the world today and it has been proven that the claimed weapons of mass destruction did not exist in Iraq. If they are capable of that kind of lie, think of what they are willing to do to get whatever they want. NADURA KAMARULZAMAN

Subang Jaya, Malaysia

Climate change and peace Jan. 25, p. 6

I am amazed because most of the developed countries in the West are the main contributors to global warming. Then they preach to other countries that are on the edge of development about global warming.

They should take a good look at themselves first before trying to stop other countries' development by crying out about global warming. NADURA KAMARULZAMAN

Subang Jaya, Malaysia

Pardoning Soeharto Jan. 25, p. 7

I entirely agree with that comment by Emma van Leest. I would like to add that Soeharto stole heaps of public money, used his ferocious army for private interests, invaded Timor Leste, ordered the killing of many people and impoverished millions more. P. BORSA

Noumea, New Caledonia

When I heard about Soeharto's death, I was shocked. I was born when he was still in control. Now, the country without the presence of the former strongman feels different. I mean, Indonesians had been living in the shadow of him, and all of a sudden, he departed.

I just regret that there was no opportunity to bring justice to all the people who were jailed under his reign, the victims of human rights abuses and the minorities who were treated unfairly. The death of Soeharto before his trial only reiterates how difficult it is to bring justice.

I agree that the late ex-president was the Father of Development. I do not discount the fruits of his labor. Perhaps it is wiser and fairer for the next generation to learn from both sides of him; to model his good works as well as to stay away from any wrongdoings. CHRISTY KABUL

Singapore

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