Each action has consequences
Each action has consequences
I read with interest the lead article in Sunday's edition of
The Jakarta Post, (May 28, 2000) titled Govt must change tourism
policy.
I agree wholeheartedly with the statements in the article
about the need for the government to change its policies in areas
such as health care, tourism, etc. Surely the government must
lead the way to ensure that Indonesia regains its status as a top
tourist destination.
One of the major problems, it seems to me, is that so many
people in Indonesia do not seem to understand the basic concept
that each action by each individual has definite and predictable
consequences. Dumping plastic and refuse in the gutters and in
the rivers not only pollutes the environment and desecrates these
beautiful islands, it also turns tourists away. Noise pollution
from overly-loud motorcycles, trucks and chain saws turns tourist
away. Violent protests turns tourist away. Greedy public servants
looking for bribes certainly turns tourists away. I could, of
course, go on and on.
The only way to change these behaviors is to educate the
public about the consequences of their actions, and this can only
happen as a result of education. If the housewife understood the
multiple dangers of dumping household garbage in the rivers or in
gutters, she would change her behavior. Education must begin with
a concerned government, which sponsors public education programs
for the citizens. I have seen such education programs work in
other countries. In the U.S., the slogan "Pitch In" is seen often
in the media, and is accompanied by pictures of people disposing
of rubbish properly.
I have talked to so many people about making Bali a "Tourist
Friendly Zone", which would involve teaching the entire
population that a few simple actions on the part of the citizens
could make the visiting tourists much happier.
People must be taught that actions have consequences, and the
government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can lead the
way in teaching everyone what those consequences are.
DR. JAMES TAYLOR
Ubud, Bali
I read with interest the lead article in Sunday's edition of
The Jakarta Post, (May 28, 2000) titled Govt must change tourism
policy.
I agree wholeheartedly with the statements in the article
about the need for the government to change its policies in areas
such as health care, tourism, etc. Surely the government must
lead the way to ensure that Indonesia regains its status as a top
tourist destination.
One of the major problems, it seems to me, is that so many
people in Indonesia do not seem to understand the basic concept
that each action by each individual has definite and predictable
consequences. Dumping plastic and refuse in the gutters and in
the rivers not only pollutes the environment and desecrates these
beautiful islands, it also turns tourists away. Noise pollution
from overly-loud motorcycles, trucks and chain saws turns tourist
away. Violent protests turns tourist away. Greedy public servants
looking for bribes certainly turns tourists away. I could, of
course, go on and on.
The only way to change these behaviors is to educate the
public about the consequences of their actions, and this can only
happen as a result of education. If the housewife understood the
multiple dangers of dumping household garbage in the rivers or in
gutters, she would change her behavior. Education must begin with
a concerned government, which sponsors public education programs
for the citizens. I have seen such education programs work in
other countries. In the U.S., the slogan "Pitch In" is seen often
in the media, and is accompanied by pictures of people disposing
of rubbish properly.
I have talked to so many people about making Bali a "Tourist
Friendly Zone", which would involve teaching the entire
population that a few simple actions on the part of the citizens
could make the visiting tourists much happier.
People must be taught that actions have consequences, and the
government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can lead the
way in teaching everyone what those consequences are.
DR. JAMES TAYLOR
Ubud, Bali