Reconciliation an urgent matter<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
I was greatly saddened to read a front-page report in one of
\nJakarta's daily newspapers which revealed that 33 sub-districts
\nin the capital are now classified as poor, a figure which stood
\nat 11 before the crisis.<\/p>\n
According to the report, many residents in these 33 areas are
\nsuffering from a shortage of food but have unfortunately been
\nignored by the sub-district authorities. Two sub-districts, North
\nKebayoran Lama and North Grogol, both of which lie in the
\nKebayoran Lama district, are fine examples in this respect.<\/p>\n
It was made clear in the report that our community is in a
\nreally bad condition. Food shortages are no longer only found in
\noutlying areas of the country.<\/p>\n
Now that poverty has returned to many parts of Jakarta, things
\nmust surely be even worse in the regions, especially in those
\nareas generally associated with poverty such as Gunung Kidul.
\nNow that the situation has slipped from bad to worse, it will
\ntake a Herculean effort to improve it.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, however, community leaders, government
\nofficials and wealthy members of the community have never given
\nserious thought to this matter. They are busy pandering to their
\nown egos by establishing political parties. No action, talk only,
\nwhile the people's plight becomes ever more unbearable.<\/p>\n
We must all realize that the best way to cope with this is to
\nunite. That means the proposed national reconciliation must be
\nconstrued in this light. We should leave behind the New Order
\npractice of boasting about unity in a society riddled with
\nwidening disparities and divisions. In other words, national
\nreconciliation must be brought about soon.<\/p>\n
ZAINUL ARIFIN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reconciliation-an-urgent-matter-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }