An Open Letter to Marzuki Alie
Dear Sir,
It is my job as a troubled, disappointed Indonesian citizen to voice out what I think of the Legislative Assembly as a political institution that is supposedly to be on the side of "the people", in light of recent developments.
Your remark as to tsunami victims were at risk because they lived on the shores was insensitive and morally corrupt. To be politically incorrect, even though they leave from the shores, they'll suffer volcano ashes if they move to the mountains, get drowned in mud if they stay in the Kampung, or flooded if they move to the city. Unlike you, many other Indonesians don't have big houses, fancy cars, and all the facilities that a House speaker is entitled to. Unlike you, many Indonesians are struggling just to get their food on the table.
Where is your sense of priority when your members are taking a study trip to Greece, a country where it is the most corrupt among European Union countries, with high unemployment rates and an economy near to default, and to justify the visit to learn "ethics and politics" among the many dire conditions Indonesia is facing?
Where is your sense of empathy, when many children are unable to go to school because their building is torn down, many women are unable to get basic maternal health because there are only few hospitals around, yet you urge that renovating the DPR building, complete with a spa and massage parlour, is more important?
Where is your sense of responsibility, as a law-making body, when your House have only been able to pass 7 out of 70 bills prioritized for this year?
How do you sleep at night?
I don't know why I'm writing this in English, but my gut tells me it wouldn't matter if I wrote it in Indonesian, since I don't think you'd understand anyway. However, I do hope you, as a the head of the House, a self-proclaimed voice of the people, still have an ear to listen, let alone a heart.
Sincerely,
A concerned citizen.