Another foreign trip

Another foreign trip

How to get in touch with reality is something our leaders
still have to learn to be able to serve the interests of the
common people. Is it necessary, for instance, for President
Abdurrahman Wahid to press for his delayed trip to Australia
while so many people, if not the majority, are having a hard time
coping with the raise in fuel prices and transportation costs.

Good relations with foreign investors such as from Japan,
which is the second biggest investor in Indonesia after the
United States (if I am not wrong) are vital for Indonesia's
economic survival, considering our huge foreign debts and budget
deficits. However, the general public is not interested in the
international commitments of the government. They want to live in
a prosperous society where prices of commodities are low and not
constantly rising as have been the case in recent times.

The price of kerosene has been raised 30 percent officially,
but people in many outlying areas are paying much more. The
recent fuel price increase by the government has actually
provoked strong protests inside everybody's heart, but the
students took the matter to the streets, where they were
confronted by armed security personnel. It is sad that when poor
people protest, they are suppressed by armed men in the name of
law and order.

The government, everybody knows, cannot escape the debt trap
and has to mete out harsh economic measures on the public. But it
is also justified to ask why this has to be the people's fate
after more than 50 years of independence. The specter of
electricity and telephone rate hikes is causing more misery and
frustration for the people.

The President will go ahead with his foreign trip, despite the
situation mentioned above. This time it will be a great sin if he
returns empty-handed.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta