Cultural freedom for ethnic Chinese<\/p>\n
I fully support the idea of Indonesia ratifying an
\ninternational convention on the legal protection of and equal
\nrights for ethnic minorities. In fact, without waiting for
\nIndonesia's ratification of this convention, Habibie's
\nadministration should issue a regulation granting cultural
\nfreedom to the ethnic Chinese and revoking all prohibitions
\nimposed on them. With the enforcement of such a regulation:<\/p>\n
1. Ethnic Chinese in Indonesia will be able to use their Chinese
\nnames (such as Sie Beng Tat).<\/p>\n
2. Chinese lessons may again be taught at private Chinese schools
\nwithout a special permit from the government and publication in
\nChinese characters resume.<\/p>\n
3. Private Chinese schools may be set up.<\/p>\n
4. The Chinese New Year and other festivities peculiar to the
\nethnic Chinese may again be celebrated. The Lion Dance and other
\nChinese cultural pieces, including Chinese music, may again be
\nperformed.<\/p>\n
5. Chinese Indonesians no longer need to show evidence of their
\nIndonesian citizenship to the bureaucracy for administrative
\npurposes. Their residential identity card will be sufficient for
\nthis purpose.<\/p>\n
6. Chinese names and Chinese characters may be used for the names
\nof companies and shops, in addition to Indonesian names and Roman
\nletters.<\/p>\n
In short, the ethnic Chinese will be granted cultural freedom
\nand legal treatment equal to other Indonesian citizens. There
\nwill be no longer any restriction on ethnic Chinese children
\nattending state schools and universities. Indonesian citizens of
\nChinese origin will be allowed to assume any governmental
\npositions and also to join the Indonesian Armed Forces without
\nany restrictions. They may join any sector of the civil service.<\/p>\n
As for assimilation, religious beliefs and other matters, this
\nwill be left to the decision of individuals. Coercion and
\nrestrictions will no longer be employed. And Confucianism will be
\nrecognized as a religion in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The same thing should certainly be the case for Indonesian
\ncitizens of other origins living in Indonesia. There must be
\nequal rights for citizens in all aspects of life.<\/p>\n
SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cultural-freedom-for-ethnic-chinese-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }