Dub all programs!

I would like to express my opinion on the vexed subject of dubbing. The reason why non-English speaking films, whether re- dubbed into Indonesian or not, should not be broadcast on local TV perplexes me.

After reading in The Jakarta Post (Aug. 22, Group protests govt plan to ban dubbing) that the films redubbed into Indonesian "don't comply with national culture", I cannot find a plausible solution to the following dilemma. Would a French or a Spanish film, whether redubbed in English or not, comply more with national culture than if it was redubbed into Indonesian?

It is my opinion that not only the films but also all programs broadcast by Indonesian networks, including sport, should be dubbed in Indonesian and eventually have English subtitles.

As a result, all programs would be directed toward the 99.99 percent of viewers who could fully and easily understand the dialogs. The remaining 0.01 percent of viewers would have two choices: learn the language of the country that hosts us or read the English sub-titles.

As the old Latin saying goes (interpreted in English): "The interests of the minority should be subordinate to those of the majority."

PIERO RONCI

Jakarta