Time to praise God
Time to praise God
From Neraca
We were bewildered when the exchange rate of the rupiah teetered above 10,000 to the U.S. dollar. Practically everybody -- from businesspeople to government officials -- tried to find a way to pay their debts. Imported raw materials became so costly that the business of manufacturing in the real sector was stuck. Bank interest rates soared and loans for working capital -- let alone investments -- dried up. Observers voiced alarm, which was then linked to the domestic political situation. The country was in a state of confusion.
Now this terrible ordeal has passed, we should thank God for preventing us from becoming involved in a civil war. The political situation is fairly calm again although it remains tense concerning the General Elections Commission (KPU). The value of the rupiah has strengthened; it is now below 7,000 to the dollar and is predicted to reach 5,000.
Seeing how things have developed, it is only proper for us to express our gratitude to God. Yet, what has happened? We have begun to quarrel among ourselves. Newspapers report on the bickering. One person regrets the strengthening of the rupiah, saying that it will be unfavorable to our non-oil and non-gas exports. Another says that if the exchange rate of the rupiah reaches a certain level to the dollar, it will negatively affect plantation enterprises.
I had hoped that my people would know how to express gratitude to God for all he has bestowed upon us. I have found, however, that my people are what I always expected them to be. I am left wondering: is it the people who are greedy or the leaders? Everything the ruling elite does is in the interest of its own. We are rich in natural resources, but we are poor because we cannot be grateful to God for what we can have and enjoy. We even cannot look after our own possessions, which are what God left us to take care of.
We are poor because we exploit everything, use it all up, without thinking of the future. The economic crisis has left us materially impoverished. Enough is enough. I only hope that we still have our conscience; otherwise, we are nothing but animals.
ABDILLAH KAMIL
Jakarta