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