Silent Indovision!<\/p>\n
I would like to join in the ongoing correspondence published
\nin your paper regarding Indovision, to which the company has not
\nseen fit to reply.<\/p>\n
I agree with what all your other writers have said and find
\nIndovision's service nothing short of appalling. I have phoned
\nthe company several times and received no satisfactory response.
\nI have also sent them fax messages, none of which have been
\nreplied to.<\/p>\n
Perhaps more letters to you on this subject may provoke some
\nresponse and lead to the immediate resumption of a service we
\nhave already paid for, without any additional expense.<\/p>\n
ROSLINA MATONDANG<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;JP;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-advice
\nFive star advice
\nJP\/4\/let<\/p>\n
Five-star advice<\/p>\n
Lo and behold, Indonesia is facing another crisis of
\ngargantuan proportions. Not only has this most recent matter been
\nfodder for office chitchat but it has most recently come to light
\nin letters to the editor.<\/p>\n
Yes, I am referring to the loss of STAR programming for those
\nwith access to cable television. The poor children, the
\nunfortunate fathers, and let us not forget the exasperated
\nmothers and wives. How can they live without these extra
\nchannels?<\/p>\n
Although I wish I could take credit for my mother's infinite
\nwisdom, I will share her advice to the suffering masses and cure
\nthem from their channel blues. Grab a book. Play outside. Take
\nthe family for a walk. Engage in a family conversation. The sad
\nstate of this world's affairs truly come to light when there is
\nexpressed grief over the loss of a few television shows on the
\ntube.<\/p>\n
EDWIN PIEROELIE<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;BISNIS INDONESIA;LIE;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-interest
\nInterest rates
\nJP\/4\/let<\/p>\n
Lower interest rates!<\/p>\n
From Bisnis Indonesia<\/p>\n
As the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the rupiah is
\nnow under Rp 10,600 to the dollar -- the level set as a target by
\nthe IMF and the government in the current state budget -- as a
\nbusinessman, I hope that bank interest rates may be lowered again
\na little sooner.<\/p>\n
I propose this further lowering of bank rates in order that
\nconstraints to the revival of economic activities in the real
\nsector may be reduced, so that the activities of producing and
\ndistributing goods may run well again. Reviving production and
\ndistribution activities is important to curb the inflation rate
\nand open up employment and business opportunities, particularly
\nwith respect to people in the lower income brackets.<\/p>\n
Efforts to revive economic activities will be very much
\nhampered if bank rates remain at too high a level.<\/p>\n
Also, keeping bank rates too high will be unfavorable for
\nbanks, particularly those sustaining liquidity difficulty and
\ncontinuous losses in what is known as the negative spread.<\/p>\n
Therefore, it would be wise if Bank Indonesia its SBI interest
\nrate sooner, so that commercial banks are not in a race to raise
\ntheir interest rates, which are now ranging from 46 percent for
\ntime-deposit rates to 65 percent for loan interest rates.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, loans extended on the basis of government-
\nsponsored programs, with an interest rate of 16 percent, should
\ncontinue to be facilitated, and their disbursement should also be
\nsped up so that our economic revival will happen immediately. In
\nthis context, medium enterprises, particularly those which are
\nexport-oriented and in support of export activities, must be
\nallocated these loans.<\/p>\n
And one more thing, demonstrations must be staged in a more
\norderly manner and should not involve vandalizing any buildings
\nor public facilities. Aren't we a peace-loving nation?<\/p>\n
Unless economic activities can be revived, the number of
\ncriminals will be on an increase, in line with the rise in the
\nnumber of unemployed people.<\/p>\n
A. WIBOWO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;NERACA;SHA;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-CHILDREN
\nStreet children, vagrants and beggars
\nJP\/4\/Let<\/p>\n
Street children, vagrants and beggars<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
Greater Jakarta reportedly has 12,630 street children. Social
\norganizations take 4,160 of them under their protection, while a
\nUNDP program and the government have 1,084 in their care.<\/p>\n
In this month of Ramadhan, the number of street children has
\nincreased. Many of them accost motor vehicles asking for money,
\nwhile making \"music\" with bottle caps nailed to a piece of wood.
\nAnd then there are the vagrants and beggars who have come to the
\ncapital to try their luck.<\/p>\n
One day, I saw a pathetic-looking young woman carrying an
\ninfant cleaning windshields while the vehicles were stopped at
\ntraffic lights. Both mother and child might have just started
\nthis because their skin was still smooth and clean. Maybe her
\nhusband had just been laid off.<\/p>\n
Some street children also have a clear complexion and their
\nactions are still awkward. They, too, may have just started
\nbegging because they have dropped out of school or they need to
\nearn extra pocket money.<\/p>\n
Many of these problems are getting the government's attention,
\nas well as people who can still afford to have three meals a day.<\/p>\n
ABDILLAH KAMIL<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;FORUM;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-reform
\nDemocracy and reform
\nJP\/4\/let<\/p>\n
Reform and democracy<\/p>\n
From Forum<\/p>\n
Almost everyone talks about reform and democracy nowadays in
\nthis country. It is now very easy to corner somebody or some
\ngroup or even the government in the name of reform and democracy.
\nBecause reform and democracy have become a sort of \"ghost\" to
\nfear.<\/p>\n
However, some reformists and democrats have tarnished their
\nideals or their struggle for reform and democracy. They have
\nforced their opinion on others, indulged in slanders and let
\nthemselves be embroiled in prejudice, disrespecting other
\npeople's wishes. Where is the logic?<\/p>\n
Why don't we give those we are criticizing a chance to start
\nagain to uphold democracy and carry out reform. And, at the same
\ntime, we will always be ready to remind them of the mistakes they
\nmight make in the process without sacrificing the lives of the
\npeople. Until we can cooperate and sympathize with them, there is
\nno room for us to feel proud of ourselves. Also we should not try
\nto expect any reform to take place before we let reform to happen
\nin our own mind.<\/p>\n
We, on our own part, are now aware of the figures who
\ngenuinely and wholeheartedly do everything for the sake of reform
\nand democracy, without any hidden motives (power hungry), and of
\nother figures whose ambition it is to have a grip of power, even
\nthough that will involve some violence.<\/p>\n
We should also warn them not to be so quick to use the name of
\nthe people, so as not to be cursed, if, in fact, they have never
\nlived among the people and listened to their cries.<\/p>\n
SIGID MULYADI<\/p>\n
Buton, Southeast Sulawesi<\/p>\n
;GATRA;LIE;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-dialog
\nNational dialog
\nJP\/4\/let<\/p>\n
National dialog<\/p>\n
From Gatra<\/p>\n
Toward Soeharto's fall, Minister of Defense and Security\/Armed
\nForces Commander Gen. Wiranto held a \"national dialog\" in
\nKemayoran, Jakarta. This dialog was attended by representatives
\nof students' senates from all over Indonesia, community figures,
\nintellectuals, generals and retired members of the Armed Forces
\nas well as 18 Cabinet ministers. Unfortunately, proreform figures
\nsuch as Amien Rais, Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati and Goenawan
\nMohamad were not invited to attend the dialog, which did not come
\nup with anything of significance. The dialog deteriorated into a
\nvicious circle of debates and mutual condemnation. Finally the
\nreform engine moved on until Soeharto's collapse.<\/p>\n
Now, Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar of the National Resilience
\nInstitute would like to hold another national dialog next month.
\nHe has invited all community representatives, including the
\nCiganjur Group. This is a breakthrough to break the ice in our
\npolitical affairs.<\/p>\n
As one of the participants in the national dialog in
\nKemayoran, I would like to remind Mr. Agum Gumelar, the
\ngovernment and the Armed Forces to make sure that the upcoming
\ndialog will really be made use of to reach a national consensus
\nbefore we fall into the abyss of protracted crises and witness
\nthe resilience of this country destroyed for good.<\/p>\n
President Habibie and the Armed Forces must abandon the New
\nOrder-style approach of violence and adopt a friendlier political
\napproach. To this end, I would like to suggest a few things:<\/p>\n
* Immediately undertake probing into and confiscation of the
\nassets illegally amassed by Soeharto, his family and his cronies;<\/p>\n
* Reshuffle the Cabinet and discard officials incapable of
\nperforming their duties.<\/p>\n
* Establish the laws on political affairs and the general
\nelection through deliberations with new political parties.<\/p>\n
* Cancel the allegation of treason placed on the National
\nFront, which is part of the proreform circle, to prevent national
\ndisintegration.<\/p>\n
It is my hope that our nation and country may escape
\ndisintegration as a result of failing to cash in on a political
\nmomentum through deliberations as God recommends in His decree
\n(Koran epistle 3, verse 159): \"And hold deliberations with them
\nin all matters. If then you make a decision, have trust in God.
\nIndeed, God loves people who have trust in Him.\"<\/p>\n
H. SALEH ALDJUFRI<\/p>\n
Chairman of LPPI Sunan Ampel<\/p>\n
Surabaya<\/p>\n
;BISNIS INDONESIA;SHA;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-study
\nNationalism and studying abroad
\nJP\/4\/Let<\/p>\n
Nationalism and studying abroad<\/p>\n
From Bisnis Indonesia<\/p>\n
Bisnis Indonesia of Dec.18 carried the articles Jakarta in
\nchaos, MNC reacts and Relocation of shoe factory to Vietnam side
\nby side.<\/p>\n
The situation in our country is really saddening. Both factory
\nowners and individuals feel it is not safe to do business or to
\nlive in Indonesia, especially Jakarta.<\/p>\n
I think the country's leaders and the government apparatus all
\ntoo often make confusing statements and decisions.<\/p>\n
Recently there have been at least two cases: the establishment
\nof a civilian militia and the plan announced by President Habibie
\nto ban studying abroad for elementary and secondary school
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
With regard to studying abroad, if the basis for considering
\nthe plan to make the regulation is nationalism and the saving of
\nforeign exchange, does the President already understand the
\nsituation and have clear data that studying abroad influences
\nnationalism?<\/p>\n
I am convinced that the percentage of elementary and secondary
\nschool children studying abroad, calculated from the total number
\nof students, is very small. What is certain is that all parents
\nwish to give their children the best education.<\/p>\n
As parents, we are more concerned about the student brawls
\nthat take place nearly every day. Moreover, school activities are
\noften disrupted by various riots and social unrest.<\/p>\n
Student demonstrations reflecting a strong nationalism take
\nplace due to the lack of response from our leaders concerning the
\ncountry's situation.<\/p>\n
What needs to be questioned is whether government officials,
\nboth still in power and retired, have a spirit of nationalism to
\nthe same extent as students, in particular those who have enjoyed
\nmaterial windfalls as a result of corruption, collusion and
\nnepotism.<\/p>\n
YANTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;REPUBLIKA;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-degree
\nFake degree
\nJP\/4\/let<\/p>\n
Beware of fake degrees<\/p>\n
From Republika<\/p>\n
We were employing the services of a management consultant
\nnamed Khairul Alwan Nasution, MBA, MM, PhD. The placement of this
\nconsultant was recommended (by chance) by a reliable friend.
\nMoreover this consultant has a look of a Muslim expert in
\nmanagement and he several times acted as a moderator in religious
\ndiscourses held at a private TV station.<\/p>\n
Besides, Mr. Alwan showed us a leaflet issued by the Sakinah
\nFamily Clinic stating that he is a counselor who can help solve
\nfamily problems in terms of religion, economy, education,
\nsociocultural affairs and health.<\/p>\n
Our company was using his consultancy services only in dealing
\nwith human resources. However, after a few months of trial, our
\neffort produced no satisfactory result. What was more important
\nwas that we later came to know that Mr. Alwan's academic degree
\nas stated in the leaflet and also on his business card was bogus.<\/p>\n
We were very concerned about this state of affairs and
\ndisappointed by his unprofessionalism. His Ph D. degree is also
\nquestionable. How can he solve any Islamic problem if, as a
\nMuslim, he has deceived himself and the public? We would like to
\nwarn Mr. Alwan to stop such deceitful practices because it could
\nlead him to be charged with a criminal act. We would also like to
\nalert the public of possible involvement in such a shameful
\nincidence.<\/p>\n
IWAN SETIAWAN<\/p>\n
Bogor, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/silent-indovision-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }