Good reporting
I am starting this letter with some good news. Having recently returned from a trip to the Bandung and Semarang areas, I could see that the recent fairly heavy rainfall, in various areas of Indonesia, is having a positive effect on our crops. After last year's prolonged drought, this is indeed a welcome development for people living here.
Our small group, after working in Bandung, visited the Tangkuban Prahu crater north of the city and along the way noticed that the countryside was lush and verdant, stretching to the mountains in the distance. The rice fields promised a rich harvest, the corn was growing higher by the day, the fruit and vegetable crops were ripening in neatly tended fields. The Sundanese people in the countryside were, as usual, friendly and hospitable. The mood was peaceful and pleasant.
On my trip, I kept in touch with other developments, usually buying The Jakarta Post at places where English-language newspapers are sold. On occasion, I would purchase an overseas publication, mostly to read what others were writing about this country.
I will now say, after returning to Jakarta, thank you, The Jakarta Post, for doing the best job of reporting what has recently been happening around Indonesia. Despite your fewer pages, you pack a lot of reliable and balanced information about events. You have adopted a tone of moderation, showing little hint of excessive bias in anything you present.
You have not been guilty of opinion-mongering or suggesting how people should think in your news pages, and you reported the facts. You reported the positive developments (such as the IMF's release of funds), as well as the sad news about the increasing violence among protesters. Telling us fairly what government is saying and what the antigovernment sides are demanding is a good mix. Well done!
Being in other areas of Indonesia and observing life as a whole, instead of being glued to the TV screen, mesmerized by CNN, can often be extremely educational. I suggest all readers or viewers try it sometime.
FARID BASKORO
Jakarta