A quick fix can help out

Apropos my letter 'Skipping one meal a day is no joke' of July 16 which appears to have ruffled some feathers.

I fully agree with Zatni Arbi that you have to take long-term measures that attack the source if you really want to solve a problem. Undoubtedly, fasting to save rice is not a long-term measure. But, as I see it, desperate situations require equally drastic short-term solutions to contain the problem and then look for more permanent solutions.

There has to be a two-pronged approach. I would class this in the same category as the South Koreans pawning their jewelry to the government to help out with the national debt, or the monks of Thailand pledging part of their gold offerings -- both of which would be unthinkable in this country where charges of misuse of public funds have become rampant. If we basked in the glow of the economic boom of our country, what's to stop us from doing our bit to help when it's down and out?

In conclusion I'd only like to ask: If you're stranded on the high seas in a leaky boat, what would your priority be -- starting to build a new boat or getting a "quick fix?"

RITU SUD

Jakarta