Freedom fails

Freedom fails

When any ministry of religious affairs takes it upon itself to
control the activities of business and the economy, and
interferes in the normal secular routines of all the citizens of
a democratic nation, then the people must take note.

The discriminatory edict to close down discos during Ramadhan
breaks a number of laws and regulations. It goes completely
against the concept of Pancasila. Literally, tens of thousands of
Indonesian citizens will be unemployed for five weeks. The
economy will be further strangled for a large percentage of the
year.

The natural human rights of the citizenry and diminishing
numbers of foreigners are being stomped on. The ministry should
be legally, financially and ethically responsible for the
suffering that is going to force upon the country. It could also
be considered cruel and inhumane.

A ruling such as this may be acceptable in small towns and
isolated communities, but to issue a decree in major capitals
goes beyond the pale of justice and common sense. It is not the
sign of a mature government. The people have the right to make
their own decisions concerning their lives and livelihood. It's
called human rights.

When a nation is controlled and restricted in this manner then
progress and modernization is stymied and that nation must accept
the fact that it will remain a Third World nation. Indonesia, at
present, has enough trouble gaining interest and investment from
outside nations. What message is being sent to them now?

For the last two years the governor of Jakarta has
hypocritically kowtowed to the terror tactics of a violent
fanatic faction, instead of ensuring the security and welfare of
the greater population.

BRIEN D.

Jakarta