Don't give up on Indonesia<\/p>\n
We are living through interesting times in Indonesia. It seems
\nanother chapter is turning in our history. For people who have
\nclosely followed developments here, it is likely to be an
\nimportant period of change. Change there will be, there is little
\ndoubt about it. Most Indonesians only hope that reforms will
\noccur with the least amount of discomfort and hardship for the
\npopulation.<\/p>\n
The founders of this republic were, by and large, social
\ndemocrats. They were not communists, theocrats or represented any
\none ethnic group. The struggle for nationhood was on behalf of
\nall the people of the Indonesian archipelago, and social justice
\nwas a clearly stated goal.<\/p>\n
A foreign national recently asked me, \"If there is violence,
\nwill foreigners be in physical danger from Indonesians?\" I
\nreplied that hopefully there will be little violence, and added
\nthat if he had never done anything that hurt the people,
\nIndonesians would not turn against him.<\/p>\n
Some individuals, including Indonesian citizens, have given up
\non this country and are fleeing, or have transferred capital
\noverseas, but the average Indonesian will not or cannot do so.
\nAnyone who has any sense of loyalty and no sense of guilt toward
\nthe people has little reason to take such measures.<\/p>\n
As for me, I will happily stay put and stick with the
\nsituation here, no matter what happens. I do not believe that
\nthis whole nation will \"erupt in massive violence\". There may be
\nmore scattered disturbances, but we are unlikely to descend into
\ntotal chaos.<\/p>\n
Besides, why go and live a happy life elsewhere? We have lived
\nthrough difficult times before, and I believe that change is
\nbound to come.<\/p>\n
But it would be very foolish indeed if any Indonesians, in
\nthese times of economic hardship, rode around in, say, a blue
\nRolls-Royce when the people around them were suffering.<\/p>\n
FARID BASKORO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dont-give-up-on-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }