Public officials should be

Public officials should be careful about what they say

From Kompas

Public service ads appealing for people to show understanding and patience in connection with the recent major increases in fuel prices are no longer appearing in the media. The messages, presented by a petroleum expert, economist, university rector and Islamic preacher, only continued for a few weeks.

Following the fuel price hikes, such appeals are required to induce patience, concern and solidarity in society. But their targets should cover more than just ordinary people, who have long been showing patience, concern and solidarity toward their fellow citizens.

The same message should now be directed to our public representatives and leaders so that amid the difficulties the nation is facing today, they will be more patient and desist from seeking higher salaries/allowances and extra facilities, which taking together are much greater than average income levels.

In the same way, appeals should also be made to public officials to desist from making comments on fuel price increases or long queues of kerosene buyers in tones that could offend the poor, like the statement made by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

Ideally, the public service ads should also involve national leaders, religious figures, retired servicemen, leading entrepreneurs, senior journalists and well-known performers. Of course, these campaigners should first set a good example by exhibiting behavior that reflects patience, concern and solidarity.

RAHMAN NURYADI Semarang, Central Java