Appeal for modest living

Appeal for modest living

From Kompas

The Minister of Agriculture has followed in the footsteps of
the speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, who rejected a
luxury car and accommodation. The move may also be imitated by
other ministers of the new Cabinet.

The time has come now for the President to declare a "modest
living movement" as part of the 100-day program of the Cabinet.
This drive could be coupled with the elimination of corruption,
collusion and nepotism.

As suggested in the campaign theme of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
-- which was to introduce a change -- there should a change from
luxury living to modest living.

All luxurious presidential facilities, therefore, should be
kept to a minimum. This would surely be followed by ministers,
director generals and secretary-generals.

Sooner or later, the movement will also influence the
country's legislative and judicial institutions. In this way,
large sums of public funds could be saved.

ASRIL ADLIS
Jakarta