one’s life outline

Huhu… studying on a sunday.. i have a very very lame weekend. studying econ140 on macroeconomics nonetheless!!!!

Cant wait for next weekend to come!!!!!!!!

This is just something I have long planned to write but getting things done is hard to do..

Well, to begin with, as a citizen of Indonesia living in a world of free speech, I just wish to express my deepest and most sincere disgust to a few members of MPR who were here in NZ a few weeks ago with the notion of socialising the amendments of the national Constitution. I believe it is nothing but BULLSHIT!!!!! Yep B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T.

The discussion that had started late at night resulted in NOTHING. I had learnt NOTHING and I trully believed that I could have used my time better studying for ECON140. I trully believe that all they wanted to do was sightsee NZ. I trully wonder how much exactly had the trip cost the taxpayer. What opportunity costs had been forgone for the trip of 5 members and a staff??

There are a few things that totally annoy me other than the economic costs. Other than the fact that hardly anyone participated in the ‘discussion’, they were not ashamed of doing it!!! How ashamed I am to be represented by those people who I truly believe are not of my best interest as an Indonesian. My father asked the question of why some member smoke although the non-smoking sign was put up. And all they simply said was, and I quote (somehow stuch with me):" That’s the miniature of Indonesia". On the one hand, it is good that AT LEAST they don’t deny it. But on the other, I start to question whether something is actually DONE about it. Have you ever wondered what signals it sends to the generation?? To me, it sends that members of parliament are above the rules. If young kids (yes, young and naive kids who have no clue about politics, Constitutions, law and always ask ‘why’) see this broadcasted on TV and wouldn’t that give the impression that as a member of parliament it is legitimate to disobey simple rules such as ‘do not smoke’? it would be tempting wouldn’t it to be immune to the law and simply abuse the power trusted upon you?? Something should be done.. and FAST..

Speaking of certain codes of ethics, we have all seen that members of parliament sleeping during some meetings. Never thought I would see it live.. But I DID. A.M. Fatwa, was sleeping 2/3 of the meeting and the other 1/3 was spend else where other than the discussion room. He didn’t even answer a single question. How can a leader be sleeping in the middle of a meeting that he claimed to be the main reason he is in NZ??? It totally escapes my mind. If anyone might have a simple, rational explanation for this, please do let me know. I’m in some serious need of an explanation. I totally understand that he might be tired after the long trip and the 5 hour jet-lag. Totally understandable and humane. But shouldn’t he at least have the decency to wait until he gets back to the hotel, and show us, the taxpayer, that the trip was well worth it?? That it wasn’t just for sleeping in a fancy hotel??

The second thing that really really bugs me is that they request the most demanding task. Yep I spend days listening to my dad complain about it. A week or so before their arrival, the called the Ambassador (I was present when the phone call was made) demanding to meet the speaker of the Parliament. They demand it as if the embassy has power over the Parliament. Hello!! This is just an embassy not some institution that has ANY control over the Parliament. We may have the phone number, addresses but no control. They can’t just come in, walk like they own the place and demand any thing! There are protocols and ground rules to be followed!As politicians, shouldn’t they at least know that schedules can’t be just changed because some foreign members of parliament demanded it? Not only does it create job for the embassy staff (yes, poor dad), it embarasses the whole nation in front of NZ. It’s not as if Indonesia has a good reputation here, with Papua hot on the menu.

If anyone reading this is an Indonesian taxpayer, I do wish to know what you think. I may be mistaken, but this trip’s costs far ouweigh its advantages.

-an indonesian who’s ashamed of her representatives in MPR-