Stop street demonstrations

Stop street demonstrations

From Media Indonesia

There is hardly any political or community figure who dares to advise or to criticize the actions of students who clearly violate regulations. In these actions there have been damage to property and other violations.

If this situation continues, what do people like me (I am a laborer) eat? Foodstuffs are expensive, companies are closed, layoffs are everywhere. It is an easy life for students. If they disagree on something, they demonstrate. If they do not like something, they demonstrate. They can still count on their parents to provide for them.

As workers and laborers, where can we earn money? Huge traffic jams are a frequent sight in the city, companies closing down. Some people can get some credit from the neighborhood food stall, others may have a talent to become petty criminals.

I am now asking for help. My patience has run out to remain a good citizen. Students, stop going into the streets! I am sure it will not solve problems. It will create additional problems. This is the opinion of the people, and you are fighting on behalf of the people.

The people are fed up with the various actions. Leaving for work we are always worried. Our numbers, the workers and laborers, may be 10 times the number of students going into the streets. The students certainly do not want to disrupt our activities, causing us misery. We have our families. Believe it or not but if you insist on taking to the streets to demonstrate, horrifying things will happen.

I am not predicting anything because I am not a clairvoyant, but I am looking at realities. If I may quote Gus Dur: My eyes may not see it but my heart feels it. I am a laborer, not a politician, an intellectual, or an expert, but I can feel, hear and read.

ACHMAD SODIKUN

Tangerang, West Java