Embarrassing situation

In a very short time span our government experienced a very embarrassing situation, which could have been avoided if we acted maturely and with responsibility.

The first embarrassment was some weeks ago when the government, amid protests from all over Indonesia, decided to grant the former president a housing allowance of Rp 26 billion, based on a law promulgated a few years back. This grant is legal because it is based on a law, only the timing is not right considering the financial situation we are in at the moment. Protesters pointed out that the grant could be postponed until better times and that the former president already had a luxurious house in the Taman Mini Indonesia area. But Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung in facing the press said: "Why should we postpone payment if we can do it now?"

So the show continues, but unfortunately for the government, the former president refused to accept it, saying that the grant should be postponed and it would be better to use the money now to help ease the food problems faced by the people. A real embarrassing situation for the government, because it is evident that the former president cares more about the people than the reform government does.

The second embarrassment was that the present President expressed displeasure about relations between Indonesia and Singapore, saying that, when compared to other countries, Singapore showed no feeling of friendship toward Indonesia and as proof he cited that the congratulatory letter from the Singaporean government on his assuming office as President came very late. What a reason! And then he mentioned that the Singaporean government, compared to other countries, did not care about the problems faced by Indonesia.

I personally think that a president should not say such things openly, even if true. Fortunately the Singaporean government is more mature and completely ignored this statement, and the next day S$12 million in aid flew into Indonesia with food and medicine. The aid was received with gratitude by the Armed Forces commander. I am ashamed, and the government should feel embarrassed. What an experience!

May these cases become a valuable lesson for our government.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta