Meet the challenge!

You know the feeling. You have just written a piece, and you feel you have forgotten to say something important. I felt that after submitting my piece on bureaucratic reform (Dec. 8, 1998). Yet not in my wildest imagination did I think there would be an Adam Roberts from Norwich, England, who would tell us that jail reform can be achieved through isolation, replacing our prayers in accordance with our faith with our own cravings (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 4, 1999).

I do not know his blessed Vipassana (Insight) Meditation. From my extensive search for good motivation and leadership training, I can recommend for Indonesia's cultural situation none better than the programs from Leadership Management International, and its sister programs from Success Motivation International. Perhaps those with rights to promote these secular programs may care to send their contact numbers to Your Letters. Warning, they are expensive, but they both measure and guarantee results. Steve Covey also is excellent.

I agree with Adam Roberts that we must start with individuals "in touch with their emotions", and who have love for Indonesia. Here is what I forgot to say in my article. I forgot to say that there already are in government, at all levels, good, earnest, faithful, creative, thinking, caring, frustrated public servants. They may be a minority, they may have had limited education and opportunities for self-development, but they are already there. I have met them in the National Development Planning Board, in Wasbangpan, in Public Works, in Home Affairs and in regions throughout the country. I have no doubt that they can, in time and with reform, meet the challenge I described in my article. Training will help. Even Vipassana (Buddha tremble) may help.

Those who cannot meet the challenge, or who would corrupt, please step aside.

OWEN PODGER

Surabaya