Voice of God

We all know that total chaos and confusion will reign if musicians in an orchestra prefer to direct others or submit to the instruction of fellow musicians, instead of following the conductor's directions. And such it is in the Orchestra of Life. Unless we listen to the Great Conductor first, and follow His instructions, we are not going to make great music together.

It is increasingly apparent to all who have witnessed the horrifying and detestable and incidents of Nov. 13 that those who now rule Indonesia are turning a deaf ear to the voice of the people. Seemingly only intend on furthering their own interests, those who are in power have evidently never understood the true meaning of that age-old saying: Vox Populi, Vox Dei (the Voice of the People, is the Voice of God).

As musicians in the Orchestra of Life , the members of the Indonesia section obviously prefer listening to the commands, instructions or blandishments of fellow musicians (to whom they mistakenly believe they owe allegiance, loyalty and gratitude) instead of listening to the instructions of the Almighty Conductor. The Creator to whom they should listen and obey, the Creator to whom they owe their very lives and existence, the Creator whom they will, inevitably, have to face and whom they have to be totally accountable to for all their words and actions.

Is it any wonder that our beloved Indonesia is in such a terrible mess? Is it any wonder that long-winded statements and fervent promises by those who call themselves the country's leaders are greeted with disbelief, scorn and even derision? Is it any wonder that this country is now experiencing lawlessness, anarchy, and a lack of respect -- mainly a lack of respect and deference for the basic human rights of others?

As one human being to fellow human beings, I would like to implore you Mr. Habibie and Mr. Wiranto the following: Please listen to the voice of your heart; please listen to the voice of your own integrity. Please, do listen to that voice of the Creator deep within your soul. Your dear parents, through whom you came to be upon this earth, and who most certainly had very high hopes for you and your future. Your parents must have wanted the very best for you -- and don't you agree that the best for us, human beings, to do is to place ourselves in the service of the Creator. To serve Him with integrity, courage and honesty through our thoughts, our words and our deeds?

Please make your parents proud of doing what, according to the voice of God within your souls, is the right and honorable thing to do -- for Indonesia and for its population. Why should you allow the situation in our country to reach rock-bottom? Why must you allow any more harm, disaster, and torment to come to Indonesia and our people? Haven't they suffered enough?

TAMI KOESTOMO

Bogor, West Java