Myanmar and democracy
You recently published a letter by the Myanmar Ambassador which protested an article in your Dec. 3, 1994 issue. His letter tries to justify his government's treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi, branding her an agitator. (The Dutch considered Sukarno an agitator, too). He says that action against her was perfectly legal (at least he has the decency not to say "justified"), especially when his nation was "wracked by unstable conditions."
To be honest, those unstable conditions were created by the government's repression in overthrowing the results of a democratic election. The ambassador says that the government is "building a strong foundation (for) a viable democratic system." The truth is, Myanmar's regime has done exactly the opposite, exhibiting no interest in building anything but its own power. It is only craven outside business interests which keep its government from the isolation which it so richly deserves.
GARY GENTRY
Jakarta
;JP;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-mineral water Mineral water JP/4/LETTER1
Mineral water
In response to the letter of Suharsono Hadikusumo in The Jakarta Post of Dec. 5, 1994 we would like to explain the following.
All registered bottled drinking water in Indonesia contains a certain amount of minerals. The amount may vary from one brand to another depending on the source of the water.
The presence of minerals in the bottled water can be tested by using a conductivity meter, which measures the conductivity of the solution and which is expressed in micromhos per centimeter. Conductivity is a numerical expression of the ability of an aqueous solution to carry an electrical current. Water without minerals or in negligible amounts is distilled water, or water which has undergone a reverse osmosis process.
But even freshly distilled water has a conductivity of 0.5 to 2 micromhos/cm.
All brands of Indonesian bottled drinking water have a mineral content above 100-mg/liter which proves clearly the presence of minerals in the water, and therefore probably the instrument used by Mr. Suharsono Hadikusumo was not sensitive enough to measure any electric current as weak as a micromhos.
Water is by no means the only source of minerals for human beings. Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of minerals too. Thus, nobody should worry about suffering a deficiency of minerals when drinking bottled water daily.
After all we don't live on water alone. Admittedly, water is indispensable for mankind, second only to air.
DR. RAYMOND CHASPURI
Head of Quality Division
Association of Drinking
Water in Indonesian Packages
Jakarta
;JP;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-Garuda's ad Garuda's ad JP/4/LETTER2
Garuda's ad
Interested in Garuda's advertisement Win a Trip to Hollywood published in Kompas and The Jakarta Post some time ago I tried my luck and sent an "Entry Form", as required for a chance of winning the prize. They promised to announce the winners in Kompas on Oct. 9, 1994.
But the announcement did not appear in Kompas on the promised date, and until the writing of this letter, Dec. 15, I have not seen it published in Kompas.
I was wondering whether the winners will be announced at all, or if the contest is canceled. I would appreciate Garuda's explanation about this matter.
RULY
Jakarta
;JP;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-Indoprom's services Indoprom's services JP/4/LETTER3
Indoprom's services
I would like to add to the comments of one of your Reader's Letter contributors concerning the services of Indoprom.
A year and a half ago I took a subscription on The Economist.
Sole distributor of The Economist in Indonesia, Indoprom succeeds in delivering this weekly, systematically, one week after its issue. Notwithstanding a previous written request for improvement about a year ago, on which I didn't receive an answer, the situation did not ameliorate.
One really gets the impression that Indoprom waits until they collect the unsold copies from the news stands at the end of the week, before sending them out to their subscribers. And as with the APEC meeting they must have got sold out, I have already been waiting for more than two weeks to get the "latest" issues. Or should I (colleagues here) take European dailies which arrive within two-three working days after their issue?
PH. LYSSENS
Bandarlampung
Lampung
;JP;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-information needed Information needed JP/4/LETTER5
Information needed
I am from Norway, an old democratic country in northern Europe. As I and my family plan to visit your beautiful country next year, we wish to get advice before we travel. We are a bit frightened because we have read articles and reports in the Norwegian and Swedish press about the human rights situation in Indonesia.
I hope some of the readers can answer the following questions: Can we talk to people about everything including religion, working conditions, politics? Or is there any subject we should try to avoid? Will Indonesians be harmed in any way if they talk to a foreign tourist? Is there any district in Indonesia you would recommend we stay away from, because tourists may get into trouble there?
V. WINTHER
Dragoer, Denmark
;PELITA;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-supermarket Supermarkets mushrooming JP/4/LETTER4
Supermarkets mushrooming
From Pelita
Supermarkets are mushrooming in the town of Depok. Of course, the community happily welcomes the supermarkets because the people will be able to enjoy modern facilities made available in the supermarkets.
Nevertheless, I also would like to remind the entrepreneurs to give fair chances to the small-scale traders in the area. The two parties should complement to each other, so that they grow together harmoniously.
ANDI M
Depok, Bogor
West Java
;MEDIA INDONESIA;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-graffiti Graffiti in Saudi Arabia JP/4/LETTER7
Graffiti in Saudi Arabia
From Media Indonesia
Graffiti is now also seen in Saudi Arabia. I am sure it was written by an Indonesian "artist" as one can see the graffiti in many places such as on the stones of Jabal Rochmah Padang Arofah, in the tunnel, etc. The graffiti includes the name and full address of the person in Indonesia. I am really ashamed of this behavior.
It is most saddening that the writer used a thick ballpoint to write on the marble wall of the boarding house in Medinah. I hope authorities will warn potential haj pilgrims not to act irrationally. We have enough graffiti in Jakarta.
H. WARNAN
Bogor, West Java
;NERACA;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-street kids Street kids JP/4/LETTER5
Street kids need disciplining
From Neraca
The television serial Maria Mercedes broadcast by Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) is very popular, particularly among housewives.
Unfortunately it is having a negative impact on children here, especially those who are not under the their parents' control.
Maria Mercedes, the show's prima donna, born to a poor family, is forced to earn a living for her survival by doing odd job like cleaning the front windshields of cars on the streets. This practice is copied by wayward children in Jakarta. They can be seen operating on Jl. Sultan Agung, particularly on a rainy day.
A group of children frantically stop a car, taxi or other vehicle and, without the driver's consent, they spray a soapy liquid on the front windshield. Then the driver is forced to give them some money or they do not clean the liquid which obstructs the driver's visibility. Of course this can be very dangerous to the drivers and cause traffic jam. They sometimes even go beyond that, i.e. taking the side mirror of the car.
Attention to the authorities! These naughty children need disciplining, or they could have the potential of later becoming criminals.
YUSNIATI
Jakarta
;PIKIRAN RAKYAT;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-banyan tree Banyan tree cut down JP/4/LETTER5
Banyan tree cut down
From Pikiran Rakyat
I and the other residents of Sumber Lor village, in the Babakan district, Cirebon, West Java, were greatly shocked on Dec. 4, 1994, to find that the banyan tree, which grew in the yard of the village hall, had been cut down. It was not immediately known who did it.
The six-year-old tree was very luxuriant and had five branches, which symbolize Pancasila, our state philosophy. All the villagers took turns in taking care of the banyan tree and we were very proud of it.
Symbolically, the tree means the government's protection to the people, and authority. I wonder if banyan trees in other places will meet with the same fate.
SOHARI BIN DARTIM
Cirebon, West Java
;BISNIS INDONESIA;WYS; ANPAk..r.. Letter-film negatives Film negatives JP/4/LETTER4
Film negatives
From Bisnis Indonesia
On Dec. 8, 1994 I rode my bike from Champion Photo, Mangga Besar, to my place of work, Lokasari (People Entertainment Center). While riding my bike I lost my plastic bag containing film negatives and some money. I am sure the film negatives are not of any use to anyone who found the bag, but they are very important to me. I work with Juwita Photo, and I was going to print the negatives. How can I explain about the loss to the owner of the films.
I request anyone finding the bag to give it to me as soon as possible. I am not interested in having the money back but I need the film negatives. I will refund the transportation cost.
EDDY
Juwita Photo
Jl. Mangga Besar Raya 81
Lokasari Blok A1 No 1
Jakarta