Dining at Sailendra restaurant
On Aug. 5, 2002, three of my friends and I had lunch at Sailendra restaurant, at JW Mariott, Jakarta. When we entered the hotel and restaurant, we got the impression that the hotel and restaurant were of an international standard. This impression vanished immediately when I discovered that my mobile phone went missing from the table while my two friends were still enjoying their meal. In fact, there were two dirty plates on our table and the waiter took only the one rather far from my friends. The person who stole my mobile phone really had guts because he stole it while we were still sitting at the table.
I realize it is unethical to directly accuse the waiters/waitress of stealing my cell phone. But who took the dirty plates away? The guests?
I put my cell phone on the table because two of my friends were still eating there. I was sure then that my cell phone would not go missing. When we ate in the same restaurant some time ago, my friend did the same and did not lose his cell phone.
When I found that my cell phone had disappeared I contacted the manager in charge. I was promised that they would trace the theft and summoned the security officers from the hotel. Unfortunately, the men from the hotel took action lackadaisically.
The management of JW Mariott promised to thoroughly look into the matter but until now I haven't had any response. The management must know that a friend of mine also lost his cell phone some time ago in this hotel and restaurant. Can a hotel of international standard not give a quick response? How much longer do I have to wait? The management must think that losing a mobile phone is something commonplace. I'm waiting for some kind of clarification.
RINI M. POERNAWAN
Jakarta
;MEDIA INDONESIA;LEI; ANPAk..r.. Letter-constitution On Article 28 JP/4/let
On article 28 of 1945 Constitution
From Media Indonesia
There is a faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) suggesting that Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution must read: "The state will be based on one Supreme God with the obligation for adherents to practice sharia. As a Christian, I'd like to respond as follows:
Christians will not force other Christians to go to church on Sundays. Likewise, although God's ten commandments and the church's five instructions are mandatory for all Christians to follow, a Christian will not force another Christian to accept them. It is no use forcing someone to come to the church if his mind is somewhere else. It is very likely that a person like this will not say any prayers in church.
A human being must account for all their deeds before God. A Christian may suggest that another Christian accept a particular religious edict but when the second Christian is already adult, the first Christian will not force the matter upon the latter. If you do not go to church on Sunday without a compelling reason, you are sinful and you can be forgiven only if you make a real confession and really repent for what you have done. When a confession of a sin is made without sincere regret, it will be of no use at all.
It is my strong belief that religion is something between an individual and his own God. Other people can give guidance or suggestions, but, please, without coercion.
DR. F. PUDIYANTO S., Jakarta