Strange nation

Strange nation

From Koran Tempo

Our country is indeed a strange nation. Some in the political elite have claimed that supposed foreign aid we are receiving is often just lip service as no money actually goes into the state's coffers. They do not consider aid the hard work that foreign volunteers, who have come with all their equipment, are carrying out in the disaster area of Aceh.

Others comment cynically "we would like a grant too" upon hearing the report that our national debts have been rescheduled. More strange behavior is evident in the House of Representatives. While fully aware of the state of emergency in Aceh, the House is busy quibbling in a special meeting over the establishment of a national team for disaster management in Aceh.

We should have thanked Vice President Jusuf Kalla for issuing this decree because, for me, it is a breakthrough measure. No money has been siphoned off with the issuance of this decree. Instead a lot of lives have been saved. If it is not in accordance with House standing orders, then this can always be put right. We should be ashamed because our legislators are quarreling over a trifle while foreign volunteers are busy helping the disaster victims.

Then, following the opening up of Aceh and the arrival of relief aid, some of us have started making a fuss about the presence of foreign volunteers and soldiers.

However, I'm proud of the fact that our nation -- to the best of my knowledge -- continues to be critical about the quality of the aid we receive.

While it is in one sense good we can still afford to be choosy about aid, we also have to be sure that we don't degenerate into a nation of ingrates. The Batak people abide by this simple philosophy of life: It hurts to have your request rejected but it hurts more to have your gift rejected.

JOHANES SARAGIH

Jakarta