A most shameful incident

A 25-story building on Jl. Thamrin, Jakarta, has been ravaged by fire. Fifteen people lost their lives in the incident. The tragedy occurred in an area which had stood as a symbol of our progress, intelligence, excellence and modernity as a nation.

Ironically, that isn't all. The building that was ravaged by fire happens to be the office of Bank Indonesia, our central bank -- a vital building that should have been safe from any kind of trouble, one that is of no less importance than the presidential palace or the headquarters of the Armed Forces.

The fire at our central bank building puts our competence and our capabilities in question. Consciously or unconsciously, by building skyscrapers in the Golden Triangle area we proclaim ourselves a modern nation. Yesterday's (Monday's) incident, however, demonstrates that in reality we are not yet ready to meet many of the criterion which modern civilization demands.

Who is to blame? It would probably be most difficult to find someone who is willing in all honesty to admit guilt and accept the blame. It will be most difficult to find someone who, in this most disgraceful tragedy, will be willing to bear the responsibility. The easiest and most preferred way out, as usual, will be to find scapegoats.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta