Legacy of debts

Legacy of debts

From Kompas

We all stand against the policies drafted by the New Order regime. Unfortunately, most university students and some others have missed the point of the New Order's products, for example, subsidies that have deceived us all. We know that subsidies given to the people form a large part of foreign debts as these funds were not grants, as the New Order ruler once said.

Today's government has been burdened with debts, the New Order's legacy, which have to be paid. The country has no budget for the repayment of those debts. It can only reduce the mounting debts by cutting the subsidies.

Those protesting the loudest are intellectuals, such as university students and the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI). As YLKI has frequently been invited by TV media, this has enraged the public, something which all people, particularly YLKI and other intellectuals need to realize. We have a country so as not to think about our own stomachs. What is a full stomach for if the country is about to collapse?

What should be remembered is this country is not a legacy, it is something that the previous generations leave in our care. Don't burden our young generations with such debts, about which they know nothing. Free this country from foreign debts. Let's sow the spirit of nationalism in ourselves just like our heroes once had in fighting for the country's independence.

Heroes are not afraid of being hungry and even of dying for their beloved country. Now, the country is independent but is in the grip of a multifaceted crisis. Let's go hand in hand and tighten our belts. Inculcate the spirit of nationalism so that our country can get out of this multidimensional crisis. Don't be spoiled by people burdening the country with their needs.

SARTONO Boyolali, Central Java