Governors, gorillas and gangs

There was some contention last month about the huge amount of money that was required to house and feed gorillas at the Ragunan Zoo. Some councilors complained bitterly that the gorillas receive more than they do. I was touched by their concern.

If gorillas could drive cars they would no doubt be given BMWs and the councilors would have further cause for complaint. At the time, a few of us probably wondered if the gorillas might be more effective than the councilors. After all they are socially oriented, rarely complain and are tough and resourceful ... the gorillas I mean.

Now our globe trotting governor, who, still smarting from the loss of his Harley Davidsons, has ruled that nightclubs, cafes and so on will not be able to serve alcohol during Ramadhan. To add insult to injury, an infamously coarse self-serving gang of malcontents that have reduced religion to its basest and most antisocial form threaten to raid nightspots that violate the city regulations. So much for tolerance!

If only this was just a Shakespearean farce and we could snigger at the gross stupidity of the characters portrayed and their ridiculous masquerades, but shamefully it is real and we are obliged to see it through to the end. Some people will just get up and go, taking their money and their skills elsewhere and some of us will probably stay and tiptoe around trying not to step on people's feet.

I remain convinced that there are people out there who are tolerant, intelligent and capable of rational thought, and I am sure that they are disappointed at what seems to be further proof of the lack of will from the people who apparently represent them. If the governor were to spend some time with the gorillas he could pick up a few ideas on how to be tough, how to work together, and how to get rid of fleas.

JOHN CHRISTIAN TORR

Jakarta