Commoner's conscience

Commoner's conscience

From Pelita

From TV and newspaper reports we feel concerned about the fate
of our nation, now being hit by a rupiah-value crisis as the
rupiah has continued to depreciate from about Rp 2,900 in
September 1997 to over Rp 6,000 now.

Many experts have expressed their opinions but they don't seem
to be convincing enough. So, allow me, a commoner, to express my
conscience through this column.

This Indonesian state is ours. We fought for over 350 years to
gain independence. Why can't we unite to face this monetary
attack?

Experts should openly recommend what steps we should take to
remedy the situation. It is difficult to cope with the present
situation unless we have a strong sense of nationalism. The value
of the dollar will not go down to what it was in September 1997.

Why don't we nurture our nationalism and why do we prefer to
act as individuals to save ourselves? Where is our patriotism?
Where is our nationalism? Why don't we form a united front to
deal with the present situation?

If experts talk about their own opinions, the problem will
remain unsolved.

Respectable members of the House of Representatives must take
the initiative to unite our national forces. Members of the
Indonesian National Youth Committee must rise up and move forward
with fresh ideas.

The problem will remain unsolved if we take action as
individuals.

Laymen are to be pitied because they know nothing about what
is actually going on, but they still have to suffer. The term
"monetary" is alien to them. They may not even be familiar with
the dollar.

From the small town of Bontang in East Kalimantan, I appeal to
the government and all experts and economists that they join
forces to find the way out.

Don't express your opinions and theories in the mass media
because this will not solve the problems, but will only be
confusing instead.

ZAINUDDIN IWAT

Bontang, East Kalimantan