MPR's Bali trip canceled

You may not have been to Paris, Venice or the island of Capri, but you certainly have been to the famous tourist island of Bali at least once. The number of foreign tourists planning a holiday in Bali seems to increase every year. You can travel by foot around the island, sleep under the blue sky or under a banyan tree, eat mangoes and fish, as many as you like even on a tight budget.

The rich, of course, prefer to stay in luxury beach hotels and rent cars to drive around and see how a vibrant tourist industry and local culture can mix to the dynamic tune of Balinese gamelan music.

No wonder that some 50 members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)'s ad hoc committee had their minds firmly set on staying in one of the island's hotels when they meet to reflect on amendments they think necessary to the 1945 Constitution.

For many years these members of the MPR have been toiling hard to meet their deadlines, interrupted by their families and the media. And the fate of future generations may depend on their decisions. After their years of hard work, they deserve some special treatment, at least they thought so.

Suddenly, however, the MPR members' dreamy idea of meeting in Bali has been canceled. The plan has been criticized by the media and the public, as it shows a "lack of sensitivity toward the plight of the common people". So they now have decided to stay in the capital city and work in the same old building.

Many people are now pessimistic that these MPR members, deprived of the opportunity to combine business and pleasure and service to the nation, will be willing to do their best to finish their work on time and in accordance with the highest standards.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta