Portrait of a nation<\/p>\n
Expressionist painters like Van Gogh and Affandi, if they were
\nstill alive today, would be delighted to put the current national
\nscene on canvas.<\/p>\n
To untrained eyes, the result might look extremely chaotic,
\nwith tragic red coloring visible in addition to irregular yellow
\nand green lines.<\/p>\n
At an art exhibition, it would not fail to impress critics
\nwhile investors might smell gold. As a whole, it would give the
\nimpression of a sinking ship near \"Democracy Island\" in \"Justice
\nBay\".<\/p>\n
From nearby, one could see the image of a black eagle with
\nbroken beak and damaged wings, apparently depicting the debt-
\nridden nation's economy. The end product would resemble a
\nsurrealistic painting not by Dali, but by a mentally handicapped
\nperson. The painting invokes all sorts of human feelings except
\nthat of peace.<\/p>\n
Nobody would know how it came about but on the back of the
\nmost modern abstract painting somebody scribbled the following.
\nSolution? First and foremost, do not allow the country to exist
\nfor another year without a vice president as prescribed by the
\nConstitution. What if the First Man is incapacitated by illness
\nor another reason? No time should be wasted to overcome shortage
\nof food in any area.<\/p>\n
The unemployment problem must be tackled immediately and with
\ngreater vigor and honesty by any regional administration if crime
\nis to be suppressed effectively. Those seeking overseas jobs must
\nbe encouraged and facilitated.<\/p>\n
Economic activities which step up exports must be supported
\nfor only exports will contribute to the stability of the national
\ncurrency. Private and government international debt burden must
\nbe solved by all means.<\/p>\n
The text in Javanese traditional characters furthermore calls
\non reformist forces -- especially those students imbued by
\nidealism, a clean conscience and altruism -- that only those
\nelected by the people, not nominated by the power holders, have
\nthe right to sit in legislative councils.<\/p>\n
In that sense, deliberations by the incumbent House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
\nare devoid of democratic value unless a way is found to include
\nleaders of the new political parties.<\/p>\n
These new parties should announce their welfare programs and
\nwhat coalitions they would enter into to compete with forces
\nstaging a comeback.<\/p>\n
Government officials must restrict their comments to their own
\nfield and speak like real statesmen with a global view rather
\nthan like lawyers defending their local clients. Only salesmen,
\nnot statesmen, do not stop arguing.<\/p>\n
Actors, not true leaders serving the interest of people in all
\nsorts of crises, feel happy to appear before the camera every
\nday. The message appeals to the citizens to get rid of child
\nlabor and the suppression of women's rights.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/portrait-of-a-nation-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }