Presidential prerogative?

Presidential prerogative?

From Republika

Recent events are a cause for heightened concern. Crime, depreciation of the rupiah and the foolish requirement of uniform shoes for high school students are just a few. I do not know if the latter action was an instruction or merely a recommendation by a government agency.

It is clear our contemporary society remains submissive toward guidance from superiors, regardless whether it is an order or a suggestion.

This allows some people to take advantage of the situation for their own benefit. We, the ordinary people, can only complain, groan and feel sad, waiting for a miracle. But our complaints would no doubt have been for naught but for the President's order to halt the requirement on shoes.

I wonder if it is always necessary for the President to make a statement in cases where other people could do it, too. This country would collapse in the free trade era if the situation remained the same. This would mean excessive burdens for the President.

Does it always take a directive from the President to get something done? If that is the case, the President will be really overburdened.

FARID AL MAKHTUM

Surabaya