Room for improvement<\/p>\n
My reaction, as an expat, to recent letters written mostly by
\nforeigners could be one of subjective embarrassment. I have no
\nwish to join in with the vitriolic exchanges, but I do at times
\nwonder what benefit Indonesia derives from the presence of such
\nas Sawrey-Cookson, with his numerous complaints and trivial,
\nself-indulgences with old school ties. He sounds like a cross
\nbetween Colonel Blimp and Queen Victoria. His remark that one
\ncorrespondent should see a psychiatrist demonstrates the height
\nof colonial-type cultural arrogance. Fortunately there are some
\nEnglish people here who, in their own small way, try to emulate
\nthe standards of Sir Stamford Raffles. Apart from his possible
\nmotive of wanting the Dutch out of Indonesia, he surely displayed
\na full measure of cultural understanding in his contribution to
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
So I write in constructive vein, and offer a few suggestions
\nwhich my fellow expats may wish to support.<\/p>\n
I believe that an Indonesian-English Society exists: through
\nsuch a channel cooperative help could be offered on such subjects
\nas Education (particularly Sumber Daya Manusia or Human
\nResources); Road Safety Precautions; Business\/Marketing
\nManagement for medium\/small business\/cooperatives; Antidotes for
\nthe Fastfood\/Soft drinks invasion; a renewed campaign for Dua
\nAnak Cukup (two children are enough); Overdevelopment of
\nShopping\/Hotel\/Golf-course complexes and Immigration
\nRegulations\/Permits to stay\/work.<\/p>\n
No lesser person than the American President recently admitted
\nto the 'onslaught of the American Cultural Juggernaut,' which, at
\ntimes, I believe constitutes little short of cultural pollution.
\n(Some right-thinking Americans might also wish to discuss the
\nattempt to impose conditions concerning Labor Relations, surely
\nbetter left to ILO, in connection to trade privileges). And what
\nprice the Economic Juggernaut?<\/p>\n
On the subject of education, a specific point of interest and
\nconcern for me is English language -- and I would state right
\naway that I fully support all activities which strive to preserve
\n(and progress) all mother tongues. So I agree with the recent
\nmove to retain Indonesian titles\/names\/billboards. Nevertheless,
\nI suppose we have to accept that, for reasons such as the rapid
\nspread of I.T., English as a global second language is a fait
\naccompli.<\/p>\n
A final point. I feel that the subject of the President's
\nsuccession should not be bandied about by the media, to the point
\nwhere it becomes \"over heated\". He is held in high esteem
\ninternationally for his long, hard and devoted effort over more
\nthan a quarter of a century.<\/p>\n
It was once said, albeit in a romanticist sense (probably by a
\nHollywood movie mogul) that \"Love makes the world go round.\" But
\nwe, none of us need convincing that it is not bickering in
\nnewspaper columns, but love of God, his bountiful gifts of our
\nnatural environment and our fellow men which truly smooth the
\nprogress of peaceful coexistence.<\/p>\n
J. WARD<\/p>\n
Klaten, Central Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/room-for-improvement-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }