'We have our share of malnutrition cases'

'We have our share of malnutrition cases'

Non-governmental organizations have pointed out that the
government's poverty eradication program is not sustainable, a
condition believed to be contributing to the high number of
malnutrition cases in the country. The Jakarta Post asked
residents of the capital to comment on the issue.

Zaky Mahendra Putra, 26, is an employee of a printing company
in Central Jakarta. He lives in a rented house in Depok, West
Java.

The high incidence of malnutrition among children in the
capital shows that we are become more and more selfish. We tend
to ignore that our neighbors are in deep trouble. Does it even
cross our minds that they may have nothing to eat?

Should it come as any surprise when cases of chronic
undernourishment are reported? To be honest, we are not sensitive
to our surroundings. If we were, then children would not be going
hungry.

I believe that it takes months, years even, before a child
becomes chronically undernourished.

Of course, the government should be held responsible, but our
participation as citizens is also vital.

Nina, 34, is an employee of a consultancy firm in Central
Jakarta. She lives with her husband and children in Cibubur, East
Jakarta.

This is not a new thing. Look at the number of scavengers and
beggars in the capital. There are unhealthy-looking people all
over the city. The rich are getting fatter while poor children
are underfed.

If the government wants to rid malnutrition from the country
then it must employ new strategies.

Right now, although they say there are numerous assistance
programs for the underprivileged, we don't see any in action.
That is, except for some one-off events that are designed to
boost officials' popularity.

The Jakarta Post