Lombok's miserable record

Lombok's miserable record

From Kompas

As a native of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), I feel very much concerned over the malnutrition problems that are currently affecting children in NTB, particularly on Lombok Island.

I wonder why Lombok has, even during this reform period, remained plagued by famine, backwardness, unfortunate migrant workers and lately even corruption by NTB councillors as well as severe drought.

It should be questioned as to what the regional administration has been doing so far. Even in national sports festivals, Lombok's medal count has hit bottom, without any achievements in such prominent sports as soccer.

Therefore, one may ask what change has been introduced to the region, as Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla promised during their presidential election campaigns.

Since the founding of this republic, with national leaders changing several times, none of the sons of Lombok has ever had the opportunity to serve as a minister. Are Lombok citizens merely spectators in this country?

Z. KURNAEN Karawang, West Java