Luxury cars

On page one of The Jakarta Post on Nov. 27, 1996 there are two photos on what was happening in Jakarta. I felt impelled to give some comment because the two photos are so extraordinary and also somewhat embarrassing.

The first picture shows a row of luxury cars for the ASEAN informal summit. The caption says the cars were imported from Britain, and among the limousines is a Rolls Royce Bentley. I believe Rolls Royce cars are owned by very few people in the world, such as members of royal families, well-known movie stars, singers, athletes and other very rich celebrities.

I have every reason to be proud of our nation that pays such high respect to its guests by providing them those special cars. But, in my view, importing these cars only increased the deficit of our national current account. Why didn't we choose the National Timor cars, which are being promoted?

We can see on TV news that the Indian Prime Minister uses a "made in India" car as his official car, and the French President uses a Peugeot.

The second picture is on the Pondok Bambu detention center. Its condition is extremely poor, even beds are not available, so prisoners have to sleep on mats. Ten boys occupy a cell and the quality of water is disgusting. This dreadful water causes stomach aches and skin irritations. A 13-year-old boy died there recently. Although the cause of his death is still unclear, the bad condition of the cells might have aggravated his illness. Whatever funding limitations face the government, the prison needs improving.

M SULHAN ASKANDAR

Jakarta