Reading habit hindered

Reading habit hindered

From Republika

Reading habits in this country are still very low and the government is making every effort to improve the condition by publishing government books. Reading is especially important in this era of information and globalization. Mastery of science and technology can only be achieved through reading books. Books could talk and convey ideas if only they were read.

However, we are startled to learn that the price of paper and newsprint has been increased by 30 percent. This will affect the publication of books. Book prices will also increase by 30 to 50 percent, which inevitably hampers the development of good reading habits.

We, the Polytechnic students (publication department) at the University of Indonesia, call on the government to cancel the policy to raise the price of paper. If not, it can be taken to mean that the government is not consistent in its effort to enhance the people's intelligence.

To be more precise, we appeal to the government to take the following two measures:

* Lower the price of paper to its previous level or provide subsidies.

* Allow special pages of the books to be filled with appropriate advertisements so that production costs can be reduced accordingly.

SUKARJA

Jakarta