People easily outraged

People easily outraged

From Neraca

We have, of late, been often startled by street brawls not involving secondary school students anymore but adult citizens. One example is a brawl between Rawajati and Pengadegan residents in the Casablanca area, Jakarta. The cause was simple: firecrackers.

Outside the capital things are not better. In Surakarta recently, motorcyclists transformed a number of streets into a race course. Riots broke out. A police station was destroyed.

Why are people so easily angered nowadays? It is Ramadhan now, the month of fasting for Muslims, who are obliged to contain their anger and emotions. It is also yuletide for Christians.

Can the outrage be ascribed to the pressures of the social, political and economic upheavals in Indonesia? If that is the cause, it is highly dangerous. The Jakarta governor said that a ban on firecracker sales would not solve the problem.

Some circles predict further upheavals, chaotic conditions. It does not seem farfetched.

I subscribe to a recommendation by Gadjah Mada University that in the period leading to the general election, the contending parties should not hold campaigns by mobilizing crowds, unless they want chaos and unrest in Indonesia.

It is, indeed, a pity that the university's recommendation has not been responded to by the leaders of self-avowed big parties. They are now concentrating on obtaining support.

The mobilization of crowds is very effective in influencing voters psychologically, but in view of our common good, the university's suggestion needs to be responded to immediately.

I appeal to party leaders to follow the recommendation.

ANANG

Jakarta