Blatant displays of wealth amid poverty

Blatant displays of wealth amid poverty

From Kompas

An interesting trend in Indonesian infotainment is becoming established. After last year's F4 musical shows, and the extravagant birthday parties of celebrities and their billion- rupiah weddings, this year, Indonesian versions of American Idol are dominating our TV screens.

One version is AFI, which in June entered its second series on Indosiar. According to Indosiar's chief spokesman, 3,000 AFI-II tickets costing Rp 200,000 each were sold four days before the event. Prices were as high as Rp 500,000 via scalpers.

Aside from the creativity of the initiators of such programs, the entertainment elite appears to be caught in a never-ending syndrome of ostentatious display of wealth, despite widespread poverty.

The time has come to remind people of the need for role models of modest lifestyles, without reducing the right of citizens to enjoy their wealth. In such a way, social concern and sensitivity would be nurtured.

DARMAWAN SOETJIPTO Jakarta