Religion, Democracy, Corruption The Jakarta Post, Saturday, February 21, 2009
I am a foreigner who has come to Bali three times a year since 2002 to buy handicrafts and to enjoy some relaxation time. Frankly I tell you that I like to spend my time here: friendly, simple people with smiling faces, relaxing nature, an overall respect for the diversity and many other good qualities. Everyday I read newspapers, in particular The Jakarta Post, and everyday I read about corruption and I really feel sad, even angry, when I think about all these people, who have such a hard life, being continuously deceived by those who should provide them with safety, rights, basic needs etc. I am not a na*ve person, I'm already in my fifties, and I know that there is corruption everywhere in the world, even in Europe where I usually live. But here in Indonesia it is so widespread that it has become a normal practice, you can find it in every field of activity and position; the higher the rank the bigger the corruption. Because I like this country and its people, I feel indignant about it. Often I have been thinking that I might like to spend more of my time here, even buy a house or come for my retirement; why not? But honestly this "social poison" is for me an obstacle. How could I think to live in a "paradise" (as many people call Bali) and at the same time be aware of all the injustice surrounding me? My conscience would not allow me to accept it. I have one question for these people who so easily deceive their own compatriots: Don't you feel shame thinking that our sons and daughters will just mimic your example and will later on do the same? Is this your teaching to them? Is this your heritage to them? We all know that corruption starts from the top and goes down to the bottom, and that the lower rank follows the higher. In this way the circle never ends and corruption becomes a normal habit, because "everybody is doing it, so why not me?" I feel sorry for the people who are deceived and I blame those who cheat them, because they are responsible for committing a big crime, which unfortunately stays unpunished. What is the message of a society who does not judge these people? Simple: "keep doing it, because we will do nothing to you"! And then I think: People often speak so much about religion, democracy etc. but what is the meaning of religion, of democracy when they lack these basic principles, namely respect, honesty, justice? They are merely empty words. Again, though I am not Indonesian, I nevertheless feel sorry for the lack of justice in prosecuting those who are responsible of such wrong doing. I write this letter as my small contribution against any kind of corruption and dishonesty. Aldo Cassano Denpasar Source: THE JAKARTA POST URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/21/letter-usri-partnership.html Berselancar lebih cepat dan lebih cerdas dengan Firefox 3 http://downloads.yahoo.com/id/firefox/ ------------------------------------ http://www.SuratPembaca.info Komunitas Surat Pembaca IndonesiaYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/surat-pembaca/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/surat-pembaca/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
