Model officials wanted

Model officials wanted

From Republika

A program on SCTV recently indicated that the nation would be
deprived of the benefits of its tropical forests before long
because of the greed of some forestry officials. Worse, this
greed is now being imitated by these officials' subordinates and
even local communities involved in illegal logging with the
backing of criminal organizations.

These people are aware that the forests being denuded consist
of conservation zones, national parks, nature reserves and the
like. There is reason for concern that Minister of Forestry M.
Prakosa has not followed in the footsteps of former forestry
minister Nur Mahmudi Ismail, who gave up his post of leader of
the Justice Party to take care of our endangered forests.

Predictably, the present minister is taking part in the
election campaign, leaving our critical forest, soil and water
resources vulnerable to exploitation.

It is believed that in the hands of Nur Mahmudi Ismail, the
various illegal logging mafia outfits operating in our forests
would be gradually eliminated, because the political system of
this official was supervised by his party's ulema council.

Let us hope that the coming general election will result in
executive and legislative officials who listen to their
conscience and follow divine directions.

AHMAD ITSNAINI
Bandung