Moral decadence

Moral decadence

The whole affair almost reduces me to tears but I can't help
being deeply grateful for the patriotic concern expressed by
Irawan Kadarman and the contempt and indignation set to paper by
Donna K. Woodward (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 18, 2000) concerning
the disgraceful globetrotting being contemplated by 90 members of
the People's Consultative Assembly.

I am at a loss for words as to how to describe the moral
turpitude prevailing among our legislators, who are supposed to
represent the noble interests of the people at large as their
electors during the last general election.

I fail to understand how the Speaker of the assembly, Amien
Rais, renowned for his critical stance on matters relating to the
affairs of state, could possibly sanction this disturbing plan on
the part of our legislators, a plan that blatantly disregards the
current difficulties experienced by the people in struggling
merely to subsist.

The disclosure of this dangerous plan, even if it is postponed
or, hopefully, canceled, should serve as a pertinent lesson to
the electorate in the next general elections, that the high-flown
campaign promises made and the stunts carried out by the
candidates should not be taken at face value. The electorate
should instead remember the immoral and selfish actions taken by
them once they succeed in obtaining power.

In stark contrast to their usual absence during the sessions
of the assembly committees, which in itself attests to their lack
of interest in furthering the fervent aspirations of the people
for a better life, health care, and social and educational
benefits, now the 90 members of the assembly shamelessly plan to
make use of public funds for extravagant overseas travel to the
detriment of the public interest. Unless, that is, the plan is
withdrawn.

HEINDIARTO R.

Bekasi, West Java