Time to praise God<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
We were bewildered when the exchange rate of the rupiah
\nteetered above 10,000 to the U.S. dollar. Practically everybody
\n-- from businesspeople to government officials -- tried to find a
\nway to pay their debts. Imported raw materials became so costly
\nthat the business of manufacturing in the real sector was stuck.
\nBank interest rates soared and loans for working capital -- let
\nalone investments -- dried up. Observers voiced alarm, which was
\nthen linked to the domestic political situation. The country was
\nin a state of confusion.<\/p>\n
Now this terrible ordeal has passed, we should thank God for
\npreventing us from becoming involved in a civil war. The
\npolitical situation is fairly calm again although it remains
\ntense concerning the General Elections Commission (KPU). The
\nvalue of the rupiah has strengthened; it is now below 7,000 to
\nthe dollar and is predicted to reach 5,000.<\/p>\n
Seeing how things have developed, it is only proper for us to
\nexpress our gratitude to God. Yet, what has happened? We have
\nbegun to quarrel among ourselves. Newspapers report on the
\nbickering. One person regrets the strengthening of the rupiah,
\nsaying that it will be unfavorable to our non-oil and non-gas
\nexports. Another says that if the exchange rate of the rupiah
\nreaches a certain level to the dollar, it will negatively affect
\nplantation enterprises.<\/p>\n
I had hoped that my people would know how to express gratitude
\nto God for all he has bestowed upon us. I have found, however,
\nthat my people are what I always expected them to be. I am left
\nwondering: is it the people who are greedy or the leaders?
\nEverything the ruling elite does is in the interest of its own.
\nWe are rich in natural resources, but we are poor because we
\ncannot be grateful to God for what we can have and enjoy. We even
\ncannot look after our own possessions, which are what God left us
\nto take care of.<\/p>\n
We are poor because we exploit everything, use it all up,
\nwithout thinking of the future. The economic crisis has left us
\nmaterially impoverished. Enough is enough. I only hope that we
\nstill have our conscience; otherwise, we are nothing but animals.<\/p>\n
ABDILLAH KAMIL<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-to-praise-god-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }