Too heavy burden for the public

Too heavy burden for the public

From Surabaya Post

I am a simple person who does not know much about the
"theories" of the rich and poor. I regret the attitude of an East
Java official who grew extremely upset when he learned about the
region's efforts to suppress the poverty line (April 7).

The fact, disclosed by Prof. Dr. Mubyarto, was based on data
issued by the Bureau of Statistics in 1997. The information was
not collected as a joke.

It strongly indicates that it was collected in accordance with
the prevailing guidelines. Everybody is aware that the Bureau of
Statistics is a government institute and that Prof. Dr. Mubyarto
is in the service of the government, and who aside from his daily
work as professor at the Gajah Mada University, also has to
function as Assistant State Minister for the National Development
Planning Board in the sector of Increased Welfare Distribution
and Poverty Prevention.

It is clear that the majority of the public is leading a
harder life. A relative of mine, an elementary teacher in Pare,
Kediri, almost never complained three years ago when his sons
were in primary and junior high school. Now that they are in
junior and senior high school, he complains constantly.

His small salary has been cut several times for items that are
unrelated to his activities. This includes election activities of
one of the election organizations.

"It is already very hard to let my children go to school," he
said.

A neighbor of mine, who is a vendor, lives his daily life
without much change. When I inquired if expenses in his life have
increased lately, he answered: "I make enough to feed my family
every day, thanks to God."

I would like to quote my grandmother, in conclusion:

"If we want to know if we are beautiful or not, ask a third
party, do not put the question to yourself."

Name and address

known to the editor