Modest lifestyle called for<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has urged members of
\nthe Cabinet to start a new more modest lifestyle amid the
\neconomic hardship experienced by the majority of the people. The
\nnumber of people unemployed has now reached 45 million, according
\nto official statistics, and 60 percent of the total population of
\n220 million, are living below the poverty line. The new year of
\n2002 has brought with it price hikes of various commodities as a
\nreaction to the planned increases in official rates of fuel,
\nelectricity, telephone and toll roads, by the government.<\/p>\n
As the first step toward implementing a modest lifestyle among
\ngovernment circles, Cabinet ministers are no longer to dress in
\nsuit and ties but instead are wearing long-sleeved batik shirts.
\nIndeed, modesty comes from a simple heart and simple mind not
\nfrom simple dress.<\/p>\n
The ego of materialism has in recent times overpowered the
\nspirit of modesty. Unless you are seen as rich in society your
\nlife is not worth living.<\/p>\n
Those found guilty by the legal courts of having abused state
\nfunds in the past have not been accorded the required punishment.
\nConglomerates continue to approach high level government
\nofficials to gain their favor; for a price, of course.<\/p>\n
Against this background, the solution is for the leaders of
\nthe country to provide an example of modest living. While
\ndressing modestly is a good first step in the right direction; it
\nis, however, not enough to convince the doubters in society.<\/p>\n
The recent visit by members of the first family to Bali to
\nspend a couple of days holidaying on the occasion of the new
\nyear, has been seen by some critics as not in accordance with the
\nspirit of modest living. This is especially so, since the husband
\nof Megawati also celebrated his birthday on the occasion although
\nshe also inspected some development projects during the trip.<\/p>\n
Given the short period of less than four months in power, with
\nthe legacy of external and internal debts left behind by the
\nprevious administrations, it appears that this criticism is
\ninappropriately harsh and unfair.<\/p>\n
The impression is that demonstrating a modest lifestyle now is
\ntoo late to yield effective results, when other members of
\nsociety outside the government are living in luxury. At any rate
\nit is much better to start showing less contrast in wealth
\nbetween the richest and the poorest classes of society.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/modest-lifestyle-called-for-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }