Burdening ordinary people

Burdening ordinary people

From Pelita

Ordinary people's lives in the country are becoming more
burdensome. How can ordinary people enjoy a better life if it's
difficult to make ends meet?

The government has promised to raise people's living standards
but that has yet to be realized. Fuel prices have increased. Rice
sold in market operations is still expensive, not to mention the
hike in the electricity basic rate as well as water rates.

The government's plan, to raise fuel prices again, has
immediately caused the price of basic necessities to soar, which
will later surely be followed by an increase in public
transportation fares. All these things have caused difficulties
in the lives of ordinary people.

Unfortunately, the people cannot do anything. Even though the
government has promised to eradicate corruption, collusion and
nepotism (KKN), the reality is different. Malpractice is still
rampant.

Those with school-age children have to face sky-rocketing
school fees. They have to spend lots of money to buy school books
in the hope that their children will become intellectuals in
future. So, never dream of having a school in this country free
of charge, all the more so if senior officials' wives, children,
nephews and nieces, sons- and daughters-in-law, relations and
cronies are involved in stealing the people's money.

It has been shown that students are obliged to buy school
books in the form of Students' Work Sheets (Lembar Kerja Siswa)
and other, similar items. It is compulsory for students to use
such books, for writing questions and answers. Subsequently,
students just throw the books away after they have used them up.
In fact, some parties are ready to buy these secondhand books
fairly cheaply.

BUNONG HIDAYAT

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