Pot calling the kettle black

It is interesting to note that President Megawati was greatly disappointed in the reactions of certain demonstrators, saying that their behavior was considered to be mismanaged and beyond ethical norms.

There is of course some truth in those statements, but even the most naive will know the reasons why. The President will also know that the people watch on a daily basis the wanton abuse of power, the erosion of ethics and of morality that takes place on a regular basis in the House of Representatives and in the law courts -- just to name two institutions.

No matter what your occupation, it is universally accepted that the examples always come from the top, and in this case, the examples given are bordering on the ridiculous. The fiasco that was the recent gubernatorial election in Jakarta was perhaps a glowing example of the self-made problems facing this country. The aspirations of the people in this instance were not only considered irrelevant, they were also totally ignored. The cost of security and the bribes paid to ensure that Sutiyoso was reelected were but a drop in the ocean as compared to the cost of failed democracy.

It was a glowing example of why people do not take seriously any statement coming from the top, as they know the words are meaningless, lack credibility and are in the main hypocritical.

DAVID WALLIS, Medan, North Sumatra