Delegation gets look at American transparency
Indonesian pair visits synagogue for the fifirst time
SARATOGA SPRINGS >>>> Two newspapermen from across the globe paid a visit Tuesday to the Spa City and got a transparent look at American journalism, society and religion.
Visiting from Indonesia,
Timor Express Editor-in-Chief Simon Petrus and Sahat Maruli, a representative correspondent at Tempo, a newspaper and magazine, visited Congregation Shaara Tfille as part of their international visit put together by International Center of the Capital Region Inc. The trip focused on accountability in government and business, and the ICCR was chosen directly by the U.S. Department of State to create an American visit for the two.
On the tail-end of their visit, the pair visited a synagogue for the first time. With only six recognized religions in Indonesia — Islam, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Protestantism — visiting anywhere that Judaism is practiced would be nearly impossible at home.
“We are so excited to have them here. We’ve had all the European leaders come through this program at one point or another,” said Bar- bara Opitz, an ICCR board member and member of the synagogue.
Upon arrival to the synagogue, Petrus and Maruli found many similarities between Judaism and Islam.
“Left to right, like the Quran,” translator Abdullah Balbed said for Petrus after they saw the Torah.
Petrus also said he was excited to visit because of his Jewish ancestry, noting that even his fifirst name, Simon, pays homage to his past.
Both Petrus and Maruli said they were fascinated by the transparency of the American government.
“We have learned about accountability and how Americans have respect for human rights. The government agencies are so open — totally difffferent than Indonesia,” Petrus said.
The biggest difference they saw, the men said, was the allocation of public funds. In Indonesia, offifficials drive luxury cars that are driven by escorts, all paid for with taxpayer money and deemed more important than development, education and health care, they said.
“Only offifficials can make changes, and nothing happens,” Maruli said. “Not a lot of people [in Indonesia] know a lot about the budgets and we cannot solve that sometimes.”
But even though they can see cars they drive, fifinding out information about public offifficials in Indonesia is not easy, and many times impossible, Petrus said.
“Here, you click one button and you can know how much they make,” he said.
The pair also visited the Committee on Open Government, WAMC Public Radio and a few politicians, including Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen. They both said they have gained incredible knowledge to take home with them, especially when it comes to American society.
“God created one air for us all,” Maruli said. “We are all brothers and sisters.”
He said he has a prayer mat a home and he welcomes all to worship, no matter to what or whom they pay homage.
“We love peace. Although we are journalists, we pray for world peace,” Maruli said.