Pathetic state of the country

A young cleaner working at the Palace and earning a meager Rp 82,500 per month, which is far below the official minimum wage, stole 11 pens from the President's office. He was quickly tried and sentenced to 10 months in jail.

Of course, he was wrong to steal and deserved to be punished. But what about the big guys who steal tens or even hundreds of billions of rupiah from the state? What do they get? Nothing so far. Either they have legislative immunity or the prosecutors do not have sufficient evidence to continue the investigation.

In the meantime, 450 Indonesian children are dying of malnutrition every day. Do the corruptors and corrupted ever consider how many kids could have been saved with those diverted funds? Where is their conscience? Do they have one?

No wonder Indonesians feel disgusted and depressed by what is happening in their country.

OLVIA REKSODIPOETRO

Jakarta