Poverty

Poverty

President Soeharto is confident that by the year 2000 there will be no more poverty in Indonesia.

In every country there are rich people and less rich ones. Here, there are many of us who can help less fortunate fellow Indonesians.

Many of us are ready, willing and able to donate to the poor. But, again, some of us need some push or persuasion. To make us feel obliged to donate, we like to see that others do too.

Let us do this. Instead of eating out, donate the money to the poor. Think of the many less fortunate people who go to sleep without a meal.

Let us also look at our cars. How many million cars do we own? Then look at our luxurious homes. How many million such homes do we own?

It is also true that some beggars are rather lazy, but this is mostly an exception.

I believe the government can wipe out poverty by appealing to the wealthier to donate to the less fortunate by asking them to pay one percent of the monthly rental value of their houses and cars. The buildings can be measured, for instance, by square metres. The cars by the year they were built.

The donation can be paid monthly or yearly for five years until the year 2000, in time for complete poverty eradication as estimated by President Soeharto.

Simply by donating the money for five years we can prevent many people from going hungry or even starving. If necessary, tax collectors can help collect these donations and give the donors thank you certificates from President Soeharto and Vice President Try Sutrisno.

These funds can be distributed by the Ministry of Social Affairs in the name of the President and Vice President.

Let us remember that God will repay a good deed many times over. Every religion praises good-hearted donors.

EDWARD N.H. ABRAHAM

Jakarta