A neutral president

I have been living and working in Indonesia since 1983. I have been everywhere, from Sabang to Merauke, and I have never written a letter to any Indonesian newspaper. But now I am fed up with all these problems.

My advice is: please find a president who does not believe in God, because he or she will be neutral. A president without religion would be an asset. This country is still under the influence of powerful priests, be it Islam, Catholic, Buddhists, Protestants or anything else.

As long as religion, any religion, dominates politics, Indonesia will be doomed. Please Indonesia, get out of the 19th century!

DIRK J.J. VLEUGELS

Sanur, Bali