Indonesian and Western cultures

Indonesian and Western cultures

I would like to comment on the letter from Robert Walker You
must have a concept of guilt (Oct. 22). His extremely offensive
and presumptuous letter on "guilt" and "selfishness" made my hair
stand on end (and that is quite an achievement as I am bald).

Every Indonesian I have met has a deeply ingrained sense of
right and wrong, but their interpretation of that in their way of
life is not the same as the average Westerner. So what? This is a
different culture, and if one is privileged to live in it, then
one should accept it -- or leave. It is not the expatriate's job
to convert others to a Western way of life; and, if they do, just
think what the West has to offer.

I am 67-years-old and until last year had always lived in
England. For the last five years I did not dare go out at night
because it was too dangerous, for as an old person, I was a prime
target for thieves and robbers. (Having been beaten and robbed
twice, I speak from experience.) My home was burglarized three
times in six months. Working in schools, hospitals or churches is
a very dangerous occupation -- teachers, doctors, nurses and
priests are frequently assaulted.

In the West, we have beggars lining our city streets.
Vandalism, graffiti and violent crime is rife. Drugs of all kinds
are readily available in any town or village. As for corruption,
it may not be as open as in Southeast Asia, but just try and find
a poor politician -- national or local.

I would agree that our driving standards are higher than those
in Indonesia, but when it comes to pollution that is a very
different story. CS gases, disposal of nuclear waste and massive
dump sites for waste all around our larger cities are certainly
nothing to be proud of.

If anyone challenges this assessment, they only have to read
any daily newspaper from England for the national problems and
any local city paper for the multitudinous crime stories.

When it comes to bleating, I think Mr. Walker has a lot to
learn. Maybe Indonesia can learn some things from the West -- in
its own time. However, I am quite certain that the West could
learn much it has forgotten from Indonesia, not least of which is
family values and respect for the individual.

BILL STARR

Jakarta