Stop talk of KKN

Stop talk of KKN

Looking forward to the visit to the United States of President
Megawati Soekarnoputri as a state guest, it is only natural for
the Indonesian people to entertain hopes that economic benefits
could result from the visit. The political elite have already
reaped a good deal of benefits from the country's independence or
from their allegiance to the regime in power.

However, the people, particularly those living in the outer
regions of the archipelago, have yet to enjoy their share of the
wealth. Better education in decent school buildings and better
health care in decent hospitals and clinics are in dire need.

From the political point of view and judging from the short-
term spell of the Gotong Royong (mutual help) Cabinet to rule
until 2004, it is understandable that the scale of priorities
should result in the embodiment of the six items on the agenda.
It is obvious that the political and economic objectives form the
backbone of the agenda.

For political gain, references to law enforcement,
preservation of security and the eradication of corruption,
collusion and nepotism (KKN), will surely attract public support.

But one thing cannot be denied, namely that in the six
programs of the agenda, as enunciated in the state-of-the nation
address by the President, no passage was found that referred to
improving education (building good schools) and promoting better
health care (building clinics and hospitals).

At this point, I'd venture to say that we had better
concentrate on better education and better health care rather
than waste time in a discourse on KKN. For one thing, KKN is
found everywhere. It is a universal phenomenon. It is only a
matter of degree, in the sense that in one country KKN may be
sporadic, while in another it is rampant.

We must be honest to ourselves that KKN cannot possibly be
eradicated by mere rhetoric. Improvement in the moral stature of
the people is a must. And moral character is achieved only when
good education and good schooling have been achieved.

Bung Karno, Bung Hatta, Mohamad Roem, Djuanda, Leimena, Anak
Agung Gde Agung, Lambertus Palar and others had good educational
backgrounds, KKN was unknown to them, both in its concept and in
practice. All of them are statesmen and men of character.

S. SUHAEDI

Jakarta