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arch 29, Online

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono pointed his finger at the opposition when journalists asked him for comments over the massive protests against the fuel price hike plan, which have resulted in numerous violent incidents across Jakarta.

 “It is not good for those who are not in power to carry out measures to oppose whatever the government does. That is not the politics that we want to promote,” Yudhoyono told a press briefing in Seoul, South Korea, shortly before departing for home on Thursday.

Your comments:

In Indonesia today, a country that is developing rapidly and has huge potential, people with true grievances (in their eyes) who aren’t being heard or taken seriously have learned that collective action is the only way to get their complaints registered.

It is a problem generated by a lack of communication. The government is a poor communicator. The President seldom takes ownership or leadership. Inept ministers run their departments like little fiefdoms, and the judiciary, police and religious leadership follow their own agendas.

It is hard for the population to understand, let alone buy into, any government plan (some would argue that there is no coherent plan) to advance the country’s standing, because of the lack of persuasive, well-thought out, coordinated explanation of the aims, objectives and rules the people must follow.

The people elected the government to deliver the aforementioned, and run the country, for the benefit of all, on their behalf. However, when the people see double standards, corruption, incompetence, interference, and a general lack of understanding and compassion, it makes them skeptical of the government’s credibility.

Furthermore, when an individual complains, and the government’s response is to smile and turn a deaf ear, collective action often remains the only form of protest.

The voice of the people needs to be heard. However, the freedom to collectively complain in a democratic society needs to be governed by rules and limits. On this, I agree with SBY. The problem in Indonesia today is that democracy is preached as an “excuse” to run amok, throw rocks, burn down buildings, etc.

Indonesians need to go back to the drawing board and redefine what they want from society, and then implement the consensus view.

Whether that ends up being a Western type democracy, an Islamic state or a military dictatorship, it is up to Indonesians to decide.

Most importantly, once decided, the government and the people need to practice what they preach.

Duncan Samwell
Jakarta

The great thinker never blames others for what he has done.

The great thinker never blames others for what he should deserve.
The great thinker always thinks how to help his people’s prosperity.

Only a narrow-minded man often blames others for what he did.
Only a narrow-minded man often blames others for when he feels uncomfortable. Only a narrow-minded man hides behind another for what he’s done.

The President today gave a speech on fuel price hikes in front of the leaders of political parties. The President today solved a problem by establishing many commissions.

The President today did nothing to improve welfare but to teach his people to be beggars.

Achmad Baihaqi
Kediri, East Java

According to oil observers, Indonesia can prevent oil price hike by converting to gas use for transportation. Unfortunately, gas deposits in Indonesia, which are abundant, have been sold at very low prices during Megawati’s administration for more than 20-year periods.

I wonder why the President’s experts always provide illogical re-commendations for the top decision-maker in this beloved country.

After watching the massive rallies against the government’s fuel price hike plan, I came to the conclusion that the House of Representatives does not represent the people’s aspirations. It should stand behind the people to stage protests against the fuel price hike plan as this measure will definitely damage the purchasing power of the people.

If oil prices in Indonesia should be adjusted in line with global oil prices, there must be adjustment of standard wages for Indonesian labor. Otherwise, it would be a disaster for laborers in Indonesia because they would have no power at all to stand up to the government and businessmen.

This should be the top agenda item for the government — to rearrange the political system in this young democratic country.

Wakhidin
Jakarta