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