Neglected starvation

Neglected starvation

From Ummat

I was deeply shocked to learn that a group of Betawi families could not afford to buy food. The report also reveals the condition of their shanties.

It is ironic that a community, physically close to the center of power and business activities, and magnificent skyscrapers, should be left far behind. It is indeed highly incredible. Then, what might happen to communities living in rural areas. Their miseries could be beyond comprehension.

It seems the Betawi people are no more fortunate than their fellow countrymen in Irian Jaya. At the time when a certain group in Irian Jaya was reported to be starving and experiencing a long drought, some groups were conducting charity drives, collecting aid relief from many quarters, and the Armed Forces dropped food aid and medicine from aircraft. Also, artists and the Irian Jaya community in Jakarta ran a charity program for Irian Jaya. That was not the case when families in the Betawi community suffered from starvation. People had little concern about their miseries, as if the Betawi community were an isolated group in this country.

Neither Rano Karno, who has been successful in "selling the Betawi culture", Alya Rohali, winner of Miss Betawi title (probably because of her Betawi father), nor Deddy Mizwar, who has Betawi blood, have come to the rescue of the starving Betawi people.

Also, many important figures who have Betawi ancestry have not extended the needed help. Could this state of affairs be due to the fact that the Betawi people are considered politically insignificant, just like the American Indians and Australian Aborigines?

MOH ABDUL KARIM

Jakarta