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."

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