'Businesspeople should follow Assembly's example'

The decision of four leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to refuse the luxuries they are entitled to, including Volvo cars and plush hotel suites, has received various reactions from the public. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents about the issue.

Gobind Vashdev, 30, volunteers for a social foundation. He lives with his family in Sunter, North Jakarta:

That's a really extraordinary example for Indonesians. I hope that all MPR members can follow (MPR chairman) Hidayat (Nurwahid)'s suit.

I observe that in India, most top officials, including ministers, have been proud of using modest and locally made cars rather than luxurious cars, thanks to the swadeshi spirit that encourages people to use Indian-made products.

Such a good example must also be followed by our businessmen. The virtue of modesty will have a positive impact on our society, which has been bombarded by advertisements for so long. This blitz of ads sells superficial cosmetics as a mask to disguise the glaring self-deficiency felt by most people today. I appreciate Hidayat's move as a new breakthrough, to see the true value beyond superficiality.

Ridno, 30, is a private bank employee in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. He lives with his wife and daughter in Casablanca, South Jakarta:

It is a good example and it is set through action. Giving an example is more effective than empty words.

If more high-ranking officials set such a good example, I believe all officials in the government would follow suit. Such calls for officials to be thrifty will lead to a significant reduction in the nation's spending. I wonder how much money can be saved and channeled to other projects, which have a greater impact on the public -- including public transportation and housing projects.

The sum of Rp 2 billion (US$219,780) may be peanuts compared to our hefty state budget, but imagine how many low-cost houses could be built using that money.

-- The Jakarta Post