A most shameful incident

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