Flag burning insults people<\/p>\n
My heart ached profoundly when I watched, on TV, the Red-and-
\nWhite flag burning incident in Australia, the scribbling in the
\nPhilippines, and when I learned of a similar incident in New
\nZealand. I felt like I had been struck dumb, not even being able
\nto murmur a few syllables. Don't they know how Indonesians feel
\nabout their flag?<\/p>\n
I recall the times when I was still in Elementary, Junior and
\nSenior High Schools. As a member of the flag hoisting team, I
\nwill never forget one thing: Never let the Red-and-White touch
\nthe ground, right from attaching it to the rope, unfurling it,
\nand hoisting it to the top of the pole. To intentionally or even
\ninadvertently let it touch the ground will only disgrace what we
\nare supposed to hold in high respect.<\/p>\n
This is why the above mentioned incidents have deeply insulted
\nme.<\/p>\n
Why are they so ignorant of the meaning of the Red-and-White?
\nTo us Indonesians, the Red-and-White is not only a reminder of
\nour patriots, who fell headfirst when shot while holding sharp-
\npointed bamboos with the much-loved Red-and-White fixed to them.
\nIt is not only a recollection of our courageous freedom fighters,
\nwho died with their hands still holding the red-and-white stripes
\nso tightly. Neither is it just an image for the red color of the
\nblood and the white of the brains of our patriotic youths, who
\ndied in the quest for freedom from the yoke of colonialism.<\/p>\n
The Red-and-White is a loved reality, it is loved now and for
\never, as long as this nation is a child of planet Earth.<\/p>\n
The Red-and-White is so significant, proudly fixed to bikes,
\npedi-cabs, carts, and cars on special occasions. We also proudly
\nhoist it in front of our homes and offices on particularly
\nsanctified occasions. Let every soul know that we do this with
\nheartfelt sincerity. There is nothing for you to doubt this fact.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the foreign nationals are not aware of the fact that
\nIndonesian athletes cry out of joy and pride when their national
\nflag is hoisted after they gain the gold medal in a certain
\nsports event, such as the SEA Games, Asian Games or Olympic
\nGames. Foreign athletes may yell joyful shouts on similar
\noccasions but our athletes, in the first instance, are
\noverwhelmed with emotion and it is only later they may shout in a
\njoyful manner. It is an expression of deep love for their nation,
\nthat is represented by the Red-and-White flag.<\/p>\n
Other countries may have different ways of treating their
\nnational flags, by making trousers or shirts from them, or use
\nthem as decorations for T-shirts or cassette covers, or even make
\nthem a laughing stock. But that is not the case with Indonesians.
\nWe not only hold our flag in the highest respect, but we also
\nhave a high respect for other nations' flags. This is evident
\nbecause there is a law which penalizes activities causing harm to
\nother countries' flags. I strongly oppose burning the flag of a
\nforeign country here. Please, take a note of this!<\/p>\n
Shouting slanderous words against Indonesia may not be too
\ninsulting. But insulting the Red-and-White is an unforgivable
\nmisdeed, and it would not fail to make Indonesians agitated and
\ncause deep anger. By Indonesians I mean the whole population,
\nfrom Aceh to Irian Jaya, from kindergarten children to veterans
\nwalking with the support of a walking stick.<\/p>\n
Let the honorable gentlemen in the Australian, Philippine and
\nany other countries' embassies in Jakarta be convincingly aware
\nof this sentiment of ours. An insult towards our national flag
\nwill remain imprinted in our minds for a long time, it will leave
\nan imprint in the hearts of the people.<\/p>\n
Friendly countries should always make every effort to maintain
\ngood relations, by trying to annihilate problems that can upset
\nthe good relations with their neighbors. Even more so, when it
\nconcerns sensitive matters which not only upset the government
\nbut may also insult the people even more.<\/p>\n
HENDRY CH. BANGUN<\/p>\n
Ciputat, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/flag-burning-insults-people-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }