Reminders of promises

Too many people in political parties, government offices have made promises to eradicate poverty, improve social welfare, build schools, bridges and hospitals, keep prices low, etc., but rarely have they, in practice, kept their promises. While promises are for keeping, as Mr. Chandramouli reminded us in his letter in The Jakarta Post, on Dec. 14, so a promise is indeed a debt.

A few friends and myself have decided to set up an informal organization by the name of Barisan Penagih Janji (Reminders of Promises) aimed at reminding those who have forgotten to keep their promises. The movement is peaceful, tolerant and constructive.

In Semarang, Central Java, the message has been taken up positively by supporters of the movement by staging an all night Javanese puppet show under the theme Penagih janji (Demanding the fulfillment of promises) that was aired by Indosiar television. The event was initiated by the Semarang-based Museum of Indonesian Records.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta