Honest information needed<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
If we observe how circumstances have evolved lately, it seems
\nthat Jakartans are inclined to mass panic when the root cause,
\nupon further observation, is uncertain information about the
\npresent economic turmoil. Clearly, rumors can easily influence
\nthe community.<\/p>\n
Obviously, this condition must not be allowed to spread as
\notherwise it will disrupt stability and, finally, national unity.<\/p>\n
It is therefore the government's immediate job to disseminate
\nhonest and transparent information in a language easily
\nunderstood by the community in general. Only in this way can the
\ngovernment regain public confidence.<\/p>\n
An effective flow of information between the government and
\nthe community regarding the latest developments in the country
\nwill prevent any third parties from fishing in murky waters.
\nStill, the most important thing is agreement between what a
\ngovernment official says and reality. This alone can make the
\ngovernment's explanation credible to the community.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons why the community easily panics is that
\nwhat government officials say often runs counter to reality. A
\ngovernment official, for example, says that the prices of nine
\nbasic needs will not go up because the government has conducted
\nmarket operations. The fact is these prices have increased.
\nThings like this will give rise to social confusion, which in its
\nturn will lead to social panic.<\/p>\n
A case in point is the panic buying in Jakarta on Jan. 8,
\n1997. In fact, while Jakartans were rushing to buy up daily
\ncommodities at shops and supermarkets, the Jakarta station of the
\nnational broadcasting service, RRI, reported that a number of
\nvessels carrying rice were ready to unload their cargoes at
\nTanjung Priok harbor.<\/p>\n
This panic buying is evident of the community's lack of trust
\nin government statements. They seem to trust rumors better than
\nofficial explanations.<\/p>\n
A condition like this will have an adverse effect on the life
\nof the nation and the state. To avoid another burst of mass
\npanic, the government must continue with its market operations
\nand undertake these operations in earnest, not as a public
\nrelations event only.<\/p>\n
Real action, not merely verbal jargon, will be needed to
\novercome various social crises.<\/p>\n
It seems that we have a good supply of political jargon today,
\nbut only a few exemplary acts, when in fact, the people need the
\nlatter.<\/p>\n
In connection with the present economic turmoil, chairman of
\nthe Jakarta regional executive board of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI), Lukman Mokoginta, in his written address has
\ninstructed all ranks in the party to continue monitoring price
\nmovements of the nine basic commodities. Should there be any
\nirregularity in this regard, this must be reported to the
\nrelevant government agency. It is necessary to do this because
\nthis problem directly affects the lives of common people.<\/p>\n
WARMA SUWARMA<\/p>\n
Deputy Secretary<\/p>\n
DKI Jakarta Executive Board of PDI<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/honest-information-needed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }