Appeal from Circle 2000

I hate to reveal things about myself. I prefer to play a low profile game. However, I think this time my situation seems to follow a general moral political pattern and trend.

I have been thinking hard about a moral concept in the last year or two. Then I decided to start a moral machine or a society, if you will, called Lingkaran Aspirasi 2000 (Aspirations Circle 2000). Actually the idea was born out of discussions held with an old friend of mine, Abdurachman Djajaprawira, former ambassador to Argentina and Egypt, before he passed away two years ago.

For some time now the Circle has been a shortcut avenue for the general public, in particular those with a burning desire to be "politicians", who serve the community, as they say.

The Circle believes that anybody is fit for that service if he or she is ready to look around and listen with both ears to the suffering and complaints of the people.

Hundred of pamphlets have been circulated to neighborhood communities as well as to a number of universities, political parties and leading personalities.

Nobody is requested to be a member of this Circle. What he or she is expected to do is, for instance, to report if there are elementary school buildings which are so damaged that children are forced to learn outside the buildings.

In that case, you are expected to inquire why the school building -- only elementary buildings qualify -- cannot be used and who is responsible for its maintenance. Perhaps it is due to neglect, perhaps the schoolmaster is afraid to report the deterioration. The aim is to find a way to influence other people to take action on the matter. The main idea is not to spend one's own money. Many school children are inactive because their school buildings are damaged. Look for school dropouts in your neighborhood and report the case to the authorities or to Circle 2000.

You may find your area is in need of a health center (or one needs to be restored). Take the initiative and build a new one in cooperation with concerned people. Another activity is to register jobless people. A near famine situation may be reported in your neighborhood. You may suggest that people who can afford the act, put aside a measure of rice every day to be distributed every week to those in need. Balinese have long practiced this activity.

It sounds like a suggestion from fools. But there is no harm in having more fools in society who are willing to provide services to their fellow citizens, instead of politicians who promise but rarely or never deliver. (When will prices drop?)

Perhaps it is a waste of time and money to initiate such "nonsensical" endeavors. It is wonderful to know, however, that positive responses to the moral appeal have happened, though in a very limited circle. We received moral support from the National Front and Mrs. Hartini Sukarno.

We would like to believe that from the year 2000 there will be no school buildings left unrepaired, no school dropouts and less unemployed students. We hope public health care will have improved and food shortages will not need to be tackled.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta