Wasted flags

It was surprising to learn that the Jakarta city administration allocated Rp 2 billion (US$231,000) for the purchase and raising of 5,400 campaign flags (Parties' flags to start flying, The Jakarta Post, April 26, 1999). The cost per flag works out to US$42.78.

Presumably the flags will be discarded at the end of the campaign period and, hopefully, not flown again for another five years.

Perhaps the administration could approach the 48 political parties on whose behalf the flags are being purchased and inquire whether the funds might be better used to alleviate the effects of the economic crisis on Jakarta's less fortunate potential voters.

If past campaigns are anything to go by, ardent campaigners seem quite prepared to do their own flag waving.

NICK WILSON

Jakarta