An Indonesia sans government?
An Indonesia sans government?
From Republika
It must always be borne in mind that a government is a regime
that the people contract with (and pay dearly) for their services
in the interests of the people in order to reach the goal of
being an advanced, modern and highly civilized nation upholding
noble ethics; a nation that will lead the world.
What has happened to Indonesia now? The government keeps on
exploiting the people through the imposition of various taxes,
"subsidy reductions", tricks as well as a legacy of mountains of
offshore loans. The President has traveled abroad, bringing home
practically nothing, while government officials have busied
themselves with politicking to secure their positions, save their
skins and hide their past sins. The police and the military do
practically nothing in the face of social conflicts, giving as
their reason for inaction a lack of funds and facilities, poor
coordination and psychological depression.
In such a situation, the people seem to have come to the
conclusion that this government is wujuduhu ka-adamihi (the same
whether or not it exists). So, do not overestimate the capacity
of the government to find a solution to the tragedies in Aceh,
Riau, Kalimantan, Maluku, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya. The demands
made by these regions are not too much, given the fact that the
government has never been able to solve routine problems such as
the post-Idul Fitri exodus, floods in Jakarta, forest fires and
so forth and so on. It is even incapable of properly dealing with
the exhaust of motorized vehicles to ensure that the resultant
gas will not damage the lungs of the people. And the government
finds it beyond its ability to return the money of the poor from
the increase in fuel prices.
It is only logical that there is a demand that the government
be dissolved. If the government maintains a deaf ear and insists
on enjoying its power without any willingness to assume the
responsibilities, do not blame the people when they take the law
into their own hands. The people have nothing to lose and are
always ready to fight to the last drop of their blood in defense
of their little interests.
We do not agree with popular justice, but we also should not
forget the words of Ali bin Abi Thalib: "It bewilders me that
there are neglected people but the sharp edge of their swords are
not visible."
BOWO
Tangerang, Banten