We are heartened by the revelation that high ranking government officials, including ministers, have been named and shamed for their involvement in corruption.

The culture of corruption has been with us for at least two generations. Until recently no one dared accuse anyone of high position of any wrong doing, especially of corruption. It'll take perhaps one generation to name and shame officials who dipped their hands in the government's till.

KPK we salute you. Please continue with the good work, our nation needs to turn over a new leaf. Minimizing leaks and corrupt practices would be one of the most important steps to take. Perhaps, in one generation, Indonesian can take its place in civil society.

PAUL E. RANTAU

Singapore

Quake-hit temple -- July 28, p. 2

I'm an Indonesian citizen but I happen to look like a Japanese or Taiwanese or Korean. I went to Prambanan temple in May and they wanted to charge me and my wife U.S.$10 per person. The price for locals is $1.60 for two people.

The price gap is so big. If the government or Prambanan management charged reasonable rates to foreign tourists, they would come in bigger numbers. Bring down the price gap between locals and foreign tourists.

Tourists are not stupid. They can read. Also, eliminate "camera fee". It's a very stupid fee. (Not to mention about toilet fee). It shows to the world that Indonesia is desperate for money and not afraid of scaring tourists away.

HARTO

Jakarta

Economist Syahrir dies -- July 28, p. 9

He was a great man and he will be missed. It is a real loss for Indonesia. He was one of the good guys trying to make things better for the Indonesian people.

JERRY GARCIA

Jakarta

Kebamoto, NTT students -- July 28, p. 24

As I was reading this article I suddenly realized that most teenagers in Indonesia (including me) have almost forgotten what it feels like to 'reach for your dream' and the meaning of hard work and commitment.

I don't care what is happening around me as long as I still live with my parents and can enjoy happy days without worrying about anything.

I am studying in an institution where most of my friends come from other towns across Indonesia, and I keep hearing about their life experiences, getting scholarships so that they can continue their studies to the next level. I listen but I don't pay much attention.

I hope Kebamoto can teach us more about his life experience. And about his last question at the end. Yes, we all went through a very difficult period when growing up. Maybe that's what the word 'teenager' is all about.

CHARYZA WARA

Jakarta

Factories, electricity -- July 28, p. 7

Both manpower and the government are hiding from the key issue on the new regulation. Nobody is willing to stand up and clarify if overtime payments should be paid for switched days or not.

Everybody seems to try to avoid the problem. Not working two days is a loss of 9 percent of output and revenues to the economy. Switching days means 8-12 hours additional overtime cost for the same previous sales output.

Please make clear, are costs of buying from Indonesia or doing business in Indonesia going up yet again?

RYAN

Jakarta

E. Jakarta clash -- July 26, Online

I watched myself that a molotov cocktail was thrown into the school by one of the residents and the fire burned one side of the building severely. And I know there were no injured residents.

I hoped the media would be balanced and not be biased in favor of the (local) majority just because the media crews have the same background as the residents. I've observed the media a lot and it is always unbalanced on religious conflicts.

ANDY WONG

Jakarta

Death to corruptors? -- July 28, p. 4

Death penalty for corruption? Wow that's a little harsh, don't you think? Maybe bring back life in prison with hard labor. It costs money to put people to death, why not make some money out of these thieves by making them work to death in the fields or mines.

And on the last comment, there is no death penalty in England any longer. Almost the only first world country to have the death penalty is the United States.

ROD

Sydney

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