The meaning of national awakening

The meaning of national awakening

From Kompas

May 20 is commemorated annually as National Awakening Day. But
what does it mean today and what has the nation achieved? We have
directly elected our leaders, whose speeches are mostly mixed
with foreign terms.

Indonesian debts are mounting while state assets and
enterprises are sold to other countries. Hard working employees
are required to pay income tax and house or land purchase is
subjected to land & buildings tax. What does the state offer to
its citizens?

Tickets have to be bought to pass over smooth roads,
educational and health facilities are being privatized, police
certificates and identity cards are obtained with payments, so
that nearly all kinds of public service costs money.

As good citizens we are only willing to pay taxes as long as
they are truly spent on national development and debt repayment
instead of corruption. Former development planning minister Kwik
Kian Gie might be correct when he said only a third of tax
revenue went to the state treasury.

If all tax revenue went into the state coffers, the budget for
education could reach 20 percent of the total, and health
services could be provided free of charge. Therefore, all tax
agencies should purge themselves of dishonest personnel and stop
enriching themselves.

SYAIFUL ANWAR
Tangerang, Banten