Modest lifestyle called for
Modest lifestyle called for
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has urged members of
the Cabinet to start a new more modest lifestyle amid the
economic hardship experienced by the majority of the people. The
number of people unemployed has now reached 45 million, according
to official statistics, and 60 percent of the total population of
220 million, are living below the poverty line. The new year of
2002 has brought with it price hikes of various commodities as a
reaction to the planned increases in official rates of fuel,
electricity, telephone and toll roads, by the government.
As the first step toward implementing a modest lifestyle among
government circles, Cabinet ministers are no longer to dress in
suit and ties but instead are wearing long-sleeved batik shirts.
Indeed, modesty comes from a simple heart and simple mind not
from simple dress.
The ego of materialism has in recent times overpowered the
spirit of modesty. Unless you are seen as rich in society your
life is not worth living.
Those found guilty by the legal courts of having abused state
funds in the past have not been accorded the required punishment.
Conglomerates continue to approach high level government
officials to gain their favor; for a price, of course.
Against this background, the solution is for the leaders of
the country to provide an example of modest living. While
dressing modestly is a good first step in the right direction; it
is, however, not enough to convince the doubters in society.
The recent visit by members of the first family to Bali to
spend a couple of days holidaying on the occasion of the new
year, has been seen by some critics as not in accordance with the
spirit of modest living. This is especially so, since the husband
of Megawati also celebrated his birthday on the occasion although
she also inspected some development projects during the trip.
Given the short period of less than four months in power, with
the legacy of external and internal debts left behind by the
previous administrations, it appears that this criticism is
inappropriately harsh and unfair.
The impression is that demonstrating a modest lifestyle now is
too late to yield effective results, when other members of
society outside the government are living in luxury. At any rate
it is much better to start showing less contrast in wealth
between the richest and the poorest classes of society.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta