Military spending

In the Sept. 11 edition of The Jakarta Post I saw Indonesia was increasing military spending to over US$23 billion. The following day I saw Indonesia is accepting $6 billion in foreign aid from Japan. This $6 billion is on top of the billions you have already accepted from other Western nations.

No one is saying you don't need it, but when you do need it why are you spending so much on the military. Does Indonesia have no pride?

How can you spend so much on military when your own people are in need. Especially when a lot of the aid is accepted from countries that you openly condemn.

And furthermore why are you spending so much on the military when you also condemn other countries for high military spending.

Come on Indonesia, have a little pride and try helping yourself.

NATHAN FLANAGAN, Sydney, Australia