Poverty and corruption

From Panji Mas

The most interesting issue in the mass media recently is the Bapindo credit fraud case.

I'm sure that this sort of thing happens in Indonesia a lot, but the Bapindo case is noteworthy because it is the biggest one to ever have been exposed.

The top officials who have been implicated in the case were the people who should have protected the people. It is ironic that they have allegedly worked in collusion with businessmen to steal the people's money while, at the same time, the people were suffering from famine.

I am a poor person who lives in an isolated village in Madura island. I have to believe that the money (Rp 1,3 trillion), if given to the poor, could put an end to hunger in this country. In addition, it could end illiteracy because many would then have the money to go to school.

If a tiny fraction of that money were given to my village, there would be enough money to pave the roads and light the streets with electric lights.

Perhaps it is only because I am a poor and don't understand, but it seems that the money might have been managed in a more constructive manner.

On that note, I hope that the government punish the criminals and uphold justice, because if they fail it means that they are no better than criminals themselves.

IMAM MUKHLIS

Sumenep, Madura