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