Improve the system!

Mr. Pieroelie completely misses the point in his letter about the "loss of a few television shows on the tube" (Dec. 26, 1998).

The Indovision case is a typical example of how Indonesia operates (doesn't). It is about the incapacity of the system to deal with unfair practices and to obtain objective judgment and execution of decisions from a neutral party. In my opinion, there will be many more cases like this in the year to come as the effects of the crisis unfold. Most lights in the city are still on, and most fountains are still working, but without proper law enforcement system, this may not last.

The Indovision case is about customers who paid large sums of money to an Indonesian company for equipment and services, and who are then, without notice, cut off and forced to buy new equipment. There is nothing the customer can do about it. The case is also about suppliers (for example the Star network) who engaged in medium-term contracts with Indonesian companies, and then didn't get paid for years. There is nothing they can do about it. The case is about monopolies and how they stain the people who operate them and humiliate the people who depend on them. The case is about abuse of power and the fact that there is nothing you can do about it.

Thus, the case is also about a policeman who should investigate a robbery in your house, but will not do so unless you pay him up-front and each time he comes back for more. There is nothing you can do about it. The case is about the kings of the jungle burning the rain forest, and then getting away with it. The case is about people robbing a country of its most valuable assets for decades, and there is nothing you can do to stop them. Indeed, the case is also about soldiers shooting to death your children on the street, and there is no one you can go to, to obtain justice. All you get is someone nodding off in a so-called court and challenging you to "prove it".

The Indovision case is not about television channels. It is about getting away with ripping off people and destroying the fragile trust of people both local and foreign, the frustration of the "suffering masses" in the fairness of the judicial system.

So next time Mr. Pieroelie "engages in a family conversation" instead of watching TV, maybe he can discuss with his family what he thinks he can do about improving the system.

ERIK VERSAVEL

Jakarta