Stop talk of KKN<\/p>\n
Looking forward to the visit to the United States of President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri as a state guest, it is only natural for
\nthe Indonesian people to entertain hopes that economic benefits
\ncould result from the visit. The political elite have already
\nreaped a good deal of benefits from the country's independence or
\nfrom their allegiance to the regime in power.<\/p>\n
However, the people, particularly those living in the outer
\nregions of the archipelago, have yet to enjoy their share of the
\nwealth. Better education in decent school buildings and better
\nhealth care in decent hospitals and clinics are in dire need.<\/p>\n
From the political point of view and judging from the short-
\nterm spell of the Gotong Royong (mutual help) Cabinet to rule
\nuntil 2004, it is understandable that the scale of priorities
\nshould result in the embodiment of the six items on the agenda.
\nIt is obvious that the political and economic objectives form the
\nbackbone of the agenda.<\/p>\n
For political gain, references to law enforcement,
\npreservation of security and the eradication of corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism (KKN), will surely attract public support.<\/p>\n
But one thing cannot be denied, namely that in the six
\nprograms of the agenda, as enunciated in the state-of-the nation
\naddress by the President, no passage was found that referred to
\nimproving education (building good schools) and promoting better
\nhealth care (building clinics and hospitals).<\/p>\n
At this point, I'd venture to say that we had better
\nconcentrate on better education and better health care rather
\nthan waste time in a discourse on KKN. For one thing, KKN is
\nfound everywhere. It is a universal phenomenon. It is only a
\nmatter of degree, in the sense that in one country KKN may be
\nsporadic, while in another it is rampant.<\/p>\n
We must be honest to ourselves that KKN cannot possibly be
\neradicated by mere rhetoric. Improvement in the moral stature of
\nthe people is a must. And moral character is achieved only when
\ngood education and good schooling have been achieved.<\/p>\n
Bung Karno, Bung Hatta, Mohamad Roem, Djuanda, Leimena, Anak
\nAgung Gde Agung, Lambertus Palar and others had good educational
\nbackgrounds, KKN was unknown to them, both in its concept and in
\npractice. All of them are statesmen and men of character.<\/p>\n
S. SUHAEDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/stop-talk-of-kkn-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }