Clarifying and also confusing<\/p>\n
Our opinions are understandably influenced by the media, that
\nimage created by the newspapers and the television that plays a
\nmajor role in formulating what we perceive to be as truth. The
\nproblem is, the more you read the more confused you can become,
\nand with that confusion comes speculation that is often not
\nworth very much.<\/p>\n
The other day I read that a recent study carried out by the
\nMinistry of Defense found that no fewer than 15 provinces in
\nIndonesia were vulnerable to religious and ethnic conflict. That
\nin itself was not at all confusing, and I suppose quite
\nbelievable.<\/p>\n
But when President Megawati Soekarnoputri says that the
\ndangers in Indonesia have been overstated, does she mean by her
\nown ministers? Then on the other hand the governments of western
\ncountries are advising their nationals to steer clear of
\nSoutheast Asia, which understandably has not been well received
\non this side of the world.<\/p>\n
I just wonder why the state minister for tourism does not
\nattach the report from the minister of defense to his argument
\nwhen trying to convince the outside world that Indonesia is a
\nsafe place to visit. Confusing, I think so.<\/p>\n
DAVID WALLIS<\/p>\n
Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/clarifying-and-also-confusing-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }