Instilling a sense of discipline

Instilling a sense of discipline

On Jan. 3rd, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police declared a number of selected streets under its jurisdiction -- including Jakarta, Tangerang, Bekasi and Depok -- "zones of orderly traffic". This was done as part of the efforts that are being taken to implement the new traffic law, or Law No. 14/1992.

Aside from the agitation and extended debates that preceded the passing of this particular law, the decision to implement its rulings in the selected zones carries a much wider meaning than merely putting order into the traffic. Ours is a society that has been lax in discipline. Many regulations, so meticulously prepared, could not be properly implemented due to the widespread practice of having "amenable settlements".

This tradition of being "amenable" and "brotherly" is the root of many deviations, including collusions between businessmen and government officials, a practice which has greatly damaged the state, for instance in the Bapindo case. It is also this kind of behavior that has weakened our nation's working ethos and this has given our businesses a reputation of inefficiency.

Naturally an end must be put to this kind of behavior as we join the world of global competition. Our nation won't be able to compete on a global scale if we continue to be lax in our sense of discipline. It is from this point of view that the implementation of the traffic law in the selected zones must be seen. This should be the beginning of a much bigger effort, which is to build a nation that is imbued with a sense of order and discipline.

After this, order should be established elsewhere, covering all sectors, so that all the rules and regulations that are made will truly help to move our nation forward.

-- Republika, Jakarta