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