Mentality that matters<\/p>\n
The blessing in disguise of the medium-to-horrible traffic jam
\non April 23 (compared to the really horrible traffic jam on
\nApril 21) is that I had a profound discussion with my driver
\nduring the traffic. And we shared our frustrations about the
\nmentality of our people.<\/p>\n
Indonesians' interest in money is at an extraordinary level.
\nThe root of corruption, this mentality is almost impossible to
\nchange. The selfishness of our people is very frustrating.<\/p>\n
My driver and I agreed that the only way to change this, was
\nthrough education. And it has to be now! However sophisticated
\nthe system people try to impose on the government or institutions
\nto combat corruption, it will mean nothing if the executors of
\nthe system are corrupt.<\/p>\n
What is wrong with our country is the people. Not the system.
\nNot the institutions. We have to cure the people before we can
\ncure the nation. School is a place where good citizens are
\nformed. If you want to make a person become environmentally
\naware, unselfish, open-minded, tolerant, process-oriented, long-
\nterm minded; school is the place. If you want to make a person
\nbecome corrupt, short-term minded, selfish and violent; school is
\nalso the place.<\/p>\n
Children spend almost six hours every day at school. Not to
\nmention the extra hours of activities at school. You can teach
\nthe students a lot of things.<\/p>\n
People want to be happy. And I know people need money to pay
\nfor food, clothing, shelter and other needs. It may sound
\ncliched, but money cannot buy happiness.<\/p>\n
Look at Whitney Houston. She is gorgeous. She has a very good
\nvoice. She has a good-looking husband. She has a very pretty
\nbaby. She has a huge and beautiful house. And she has a lot of
\nmoney. She should be happy. But what happened to her? She ends up
\nin a rehab for her drug and drink addictions. And her husband
\nends up in a jail for the same problem.<\/p>\n
And look at Mother Theresa. She did not have a husband and
\nchildren. She lived in a poor country. She lived in a shabby but
\nclean place, along with the poor. She did not have much money.
\nBut she looked peaceful. And she made others happy, which I'm
\nsure made her happy too.<\/p>\n
So, I call on the government to change the orientation of our
\neducation to cultivate good behavior and ethics.<\/p>\n
SARI SUDARSONO
\nJakarta<\/p>",
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