Changing moods

I find that we Indonesians are very receptive to new ideas, movements, etc. We quickly accept them, only to forget them in a short time. For example, everybody was very enthusiastic about the national discipline movement. Articles appeared in daily newspapers and cadres wearing orange jackets directed traffic. But not long afterward, things went back to their old ways: buses stopped in inappropriate places, pedestrians ignored zebra crossings and crossed the streets at will.

During the "love rupiah drive" important figures invited the media to witness them selling their dollars. But their motives behind this dollar selling was personal and commercial. When the rupiah strengthens they can buy back their dollars.

People appeared to wholeheartedly donate their small possessions of gold in answer to the call by the government in its endeavor to solve the monetary and economic crisis. We do not know how many kilos of gold were collected and where it is now and what the government intends to do with the gold. The government has been far from transparent in this case. But we have the right to know.

Speaking of reform movements, university students, through demonstrations, succeeded in changing our national history. Unfortunately demonstrations go on and on, and in some places violence persists. Such a phenomenon can easily be manipulated by irresponsible elements to their benefit, hoping that the population will blame the students for resorting to violence. Why don't they stick to basic things, and avoid unruly action which only makes the situation worse?

The problem now is how to create stability. Everybody should calm down and go back to work and help solve the food problem. A hungry man is a dangerous man. The government on its part can perhaps borrow interest-free money from domestic foundations (more than 50 in number) controlled by the ex-first family. Bustanil Arifin (former chief of the State Logistics Agency) stated in public that he had trillions of rupiah under his control. And former vice president Soedharmono did the same. Also the National Foster Parents Movement is a rich body. I recall Soeharto once said that he was prepared to sacrifice his life if necessary for the country, let alone money. There is also always the profit earned by state companies.

I have the impression that the IMF is not very serious in helping Indonesia. In fact, we would not need the IMF's loan if the government could manage to use the domestic resources as mentioned above.

Let each and everyone of us help in solving the crisis, at least by helping to maintain law and order to create a conducive working atmosphere.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta