Immature people

Day after day I read reports and articles in your newspaper about corruption and financial dishonesty among the ruling classes in Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. I ask myself why so many people in this part of the world are apparently obsessed with money and its accumulation? There are, of course, greedy people all over the world in all societies, but I have never met money madness on such a scale as here.

Everybody is so materialistic. It's so depressing. We all need money to live but why do the Soehartos, Estradas, Marcoses etc. of this part of this world never seem satisfied with the next billion? Why do they want more and more? Is it something in their mind? Does the hot and humid climate have something to do with it?

I, an Englishman retired from university teaching, am constantly asked here whether I have a business. I don't and never will because I am not interested in business and never will be. Yet I know that I am not believed when I say this. It is as `if the only reason to live is to make money. How boring! How narrow! How uncivilized!

I am not impressed by their wealth. I could not care less whether somebody has ten cars or a woman has a hundred diamond necklaces. I am interested in what people are. Have they any brains? Have they any sensitivity? What are they interested in, apart from money? It seems that here, those who are rich want to flaunt their possessions. How immature!

I am going back to Europe soon, to its wonderful music, theater, art exhibitions, its universities and its intellectual stimulation.

C. BARRATT

Singaraja, Bali