The Tommy syndrome<\/p>\n
The fairy tale-like story of Tommy Soeharto's progress to fame
\nand wealth as the youngest son of former president Soeharto, and
\nnow for a week or so perhaps the police's most wanted man, is
\nknown to every school child.<\/p>\n
Too much comment has been made on the legal aspects of the
\ncase and the tragic, comical role played by the lawyers when at
\nthe most critical stage in the man-hunt they pretended not to
\nknow the whereabouts of the \"crown prince\"; they seemed to also
\nforget all of Tommy's cellular phone numbers! The Police were too
\nslow to react, the Attorney General was waiting for the police,
\nand the district court judge forgot the key of the drawer where
\nhe was supposed to have hidden the presidential order denying
\nTommy's request for clemency.<\/p>\n
If Johan Strauss, or Frans Lehar, George Bizet, Jerome Kern,
\nor even our own Ismail Marzuki were still alive, they might be
\ninspired to compose an operetta. But for an opera somebody needs
\nto be stabbed or shot dead and this, thank God, has not happened
\nyet.<\/p>\n
Some editorials described Tommy as a coward when he refused to
\naccount for his misdeeds and, instead of graciously surrendering
\nand entering the prison cell, sought refuge somewhere. Believe
\nme, there is no safer place than in prison and his lawyers would
\ndo well to inspect the daily menu and find out whether he will be
\nallowed to bring his spring bed and favorite dog.<\/p>\n
All I can say about Tommy is that he is a spoiled child. No
\nwonder given the fact that he has been allowed for so long to set
\nup an unlimited number of companies and allowed to hold
\nmonopolies and enjoy state credits. But he apparently missed his
\nopportunity to be educated like the son of a hero. He probably
\nalso rarely, if ever, read the biographies of great and valiant
\npatriots. He has never learned to accept defeat. His parents
\nshould have told him of the many great people in human history
\nwho had failed, like Galileo not to mention Columbus.<\/p>\n
He has never visited the slums of Bombay and Rio de Janeiro.
\nNothing and nobody stood in the way. He should have been
\nrepeatedly exposed to the miseries and abject poverty and hunger
\nsuffered by the majority of the people. The lesson that there are
\nmore people suffering in life than enjoying their wealth should
\nhave been part of his education. It's all right that he likes to
\nrace expensive cars but he should also be taught how to care for
\nthe downtrodden.<\/p>\n
It is indeed sinful to become rich and powerful alone by all
\npossible means, even by violating the law. This is a lesson for
\nparents who can afford to give everything to their children but
\nwho never remind them of the people's suffering. This nation
\nlacks young men of character who can accomplish much for
\nthemselves and for other people as well.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-tommy-syndrome-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }