Associations and
\nnationalism<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Edi Sudradjat gave his
\nsupport to the establishment of the Association of Indonesian
\nNational Intellectuals (ICKI) initiated by Krisnadwipayana
\nUniversity Rector R. Muhono and backed by 17 private
\nuniversities.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto once pointed out that it is wrong for us to
\ndivide ourselves into several different groups with narrow
\noutlooks reflecting ancestral backgrounds, ethnical origins,
\nsocial statuses or religions, considering that the 1945
\nConstitution guarantees equal rights to all under the law.<\/p>\n
Minister Edi followed up on this idea by emphasizing that an
\nassociation of intellectuals characterized by a sense of
\nnationalism is essential for a pluralistic country in order to
\nmaintain integrity and unity, instead of promoting the ideas of
\nethnic, tribal or religious states.<\/p>\n
According to the rector, the new association, ICKI, is not
\nintended as a competitor for the two previously established
\nassociations, ICMI (Association of Indonesian Moslem
\nIntellectuals) and PIKI (Association of Indonesian Christian
\nIntellegensia). But rather, ICKI, is expected to function as a
\nbinding force for all established associations.<\/p>\n
In view of this, a relevant question may arise as to whether
\nmore associations will emerge to group Javanese intellectuals,
\nSundanese intellectuals, or Sumatran scholars, etc., or whether
\nother religion-oriented organizations will come into being.<\/p>\n
-Angkatan Bersenjata, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Recent developments bring us face to face with the fact that
\nour sense of nationalism is facing hard challenges. In truth, it
\ncan be concluded that our feeling of nationalism is eroding.<\/p>\n
Verily, the process of democratization and the pluralistic
\nnature of our nation, may turn out to be a threat to
\nnationalistic sentiment.<\/p>\n
In view of this situation, we hail the discussions to be held
\nthis week by the Functional Group (Golkar), focusing on the issue
\nof nationalism to welcome the forthcoming Awakening Day, May 20.<\/p>\n
We hope that the result of the deliberations will serve to
\nconsolidate our sense of togetherness and the concept of all of
\nus being integral elements of one nation.<\/p>\n
--Suara Karya, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Doing as many virtuous acts as possible is the commitment made
\nby the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals, ICMI, in
\nthe wake of the emergence of several other associations with
\ndifferent characteristics and concepts.<\/p>\n
ICMI was not born by accident. It is based upon long and
\npersistent thought among its supporters. And it was established
\nagainst the background of the strong commitment of Moslems to
\nmake progress and to initiate innovative change.<\/p>\n
--Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/associations-and-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }