Character building<\/p>\n
A captivating feature article appearing in two parts in
\nKompas, May 21 and May 22, came from the hand of Dr. Mochtar
\nPabottingi of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences under the eye-
\ncatching title State with no nation, nation with no character.<\/p>\n
Viewed from the classic concept on the interdependence between
\nstate and nation in terms of the requisites for their respective
\nexistence, and the necessity of moral attributes as the requisite
\nfor the existence of nation, the writer's thesis as identified by
\nthe title of his article sounds original, so far as it is applied
\nto the Indonesian setting under the present situation on the eve
\nof the general election.<\/p>\n
It is true that from the viewpoint of international law, the
\nwriter's thesis has no validity. In international relationships,
\nIndonesian nationality as the outcome of the existence of the
\nIndonesian state, Republic of Indonesia, member of the family of
\nnations, organized under the United Nations, is recognized and
\nthus constitutes no problem.<\/p>\n
But when, under the present situation, the validity of the
\n\"nation\" concept is questioned in light of the prevailing
\nsituation nationwide, it is felt that the problem holds water in
\nthe realm of political philosophy, considering particularly the
\nwidespread disturbances involving ethnic feuds resorting to the
\nuse of force and violence, and the incessant irrational
\nirregularities ascribed to disruption in the administration's
\ncompetence.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the most salient feature characterizing
\nPabottinggi's article is that it gives a warning which must be
\nheeded. He asserts that the state must not be made the property
\nof exclusive groups and bureaucrats. The state must be returned
\nto be the property of the nation proper.<\/p>\n
Then, another pertinent warning, tersely set forth in the
\nwriting, is the challenging perception visualizing the nation
\nhaving no character. This is a very serious warning.<\/p>\n
It seems a paradox if this country should be identified as a
\nnation with no character, when it is well-known that the
\nIndonesian people strongly adhere to religious faith.<\/p>\n
In this respect, it seems that rhetorics should recede in
\nintensity to allow for more pragmatic, real social actions and
\neducational improvement programs to prevail.<\/p>\n
Above all, one field of national undertaking, which by far has
\nbeen neglected, will stand out at every stage of he development
\nprocess in the coming new millennium.<\/p>\n
This is education. As long as education, teachers and school
\nbuildings, particularly at the primary and secondary level, are
\nneglected nationwide, character-building at the national level
\nwill remain futile. This will entail, as its consequence, the
\nbelated materialization of the individual man-making concept, let
\nalone nation building.<\/p>\n
After 50 years of political independence, we see that at
\npresent, the fear of national disintegration is widespread.
\nDisintegration, in a sense, may be viewed as a risk stemming from
\nthe decadence, if not decay, of the national character.<\/p>\n
The coming general election, to be executed fairly and clean,
\nare the vital means to allay such fears.<\/p>\n
S. SUHAEDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/character-building-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }