Discipline and skepticism

Discipline and skepticism

From Bisnis Indonesia

Stressing the need for Jakarta to set an example in the national discipline movement, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja called on the community to refrain from being skeptical and pessimistic about the results of the drive, despite the fact that discipline is still a luxury in everyday life.

That this is so is evident in the way the people behave on the road--traffic chaos, according to the governor.

The governor is absolutely right in saying so. But it is particularly hard for us not to be skeptical and pessimistic given the fact that some people in Jakarta are still very far from what could be termed disciplined. Both men and women, young and old, adults and children, lack disciplinary norms. We regularly see violations of traffic regulations which result in traffic jams. Vandalism prevails in almost every part of the city, primarily the work of younger people.

The habit of queuing has to be enforced until it becomes a way of life. In fact, everybody should learn to discipline him or herself. This individual discipline will lead to discipline within the community and later develop into national discipline. Do we really have strong a commitment to achieving national discipline?

Where must discipline start? Community leaders and senior citizens must set an example for others. Then people be done with their pessimism and will view the national discipline movement in a positive light.

MAWARTI RUKMONO

Jakarta