Harmony amid diversity<\/p>\n
If publication of Masli Arman's work on July 30 represents the
\nnewly expressed freedom of the press in Indonesia, it truly
\nrepresents a turn for the worse in political, cultural and social
\nterms, analogous to the country's recent economic turmoils. His
\nshort-sighted, insular and bigoted views in vilifying the Chinese
\ndemonstrate, thinly veiled, the same sort of hatred and distrust
\nshown by Germans in the 1930s against Jews. Furthermore, they
\ndemonstrate disregard for the very principles of Pancasila upon
\nwhich limited peace and prosperity have been fostered since
\nIndonesia's independence.<\/p>\n
Examples abound in world history of ethnic strife.
\nScapegoating of the Chinese population in Indonesia has been
\npopular this century and contributes to such strife. Nowhere, and
\nin no era, have such ethnic prejudices contributed to the
\nstrength or progress of a country or a society. Rather, much of
\nthe strength, success, originality and color of life in the
\nUnited States, as well as in Australia, where Mr. Arman has
\nlived, is built upon the ethnic and cultural diversity in those
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Indeed, such diversity brings with it some problems of
\nassociation and prejudice; but an enlightened approach and
\nconstructive engagement of these issues encourages harmony amid
\ndiversity. This, in turn, permits the true benefits of such
\ndiversity to be enjoyed by all. Mr. Arman's approach, on the
\nother hand, encourages divisiveness, which will divert
\npotentially useful human energies from rebuilding the current
\npolitical-economic chaos to petty infighting, and worse, physical
\nharm and destruction.<\/p>\n
Living in harmony amid diversity should be strongly
\nencouraged, while assimilation should be abhorred. This was
\nrecognized by Indonesia's founders as they stressed acceptance of
\nother religious and cultural beliefs in the doctrine of
\nPancasila. Forced assimilation, however, is the mark of a weak
\nand paranoid people. It is to lose the spirit and the color that
\nenhance and strengthen a multicultural society.<\/p>\n
Each country's Chinatown contributes to a country's culture
\nand provides an anchor for Chinese communities around the world.
\nThis should be encouraged here too, just as the Javanese wayang
\nkulit (leather shadow puppets), Batak music, Balinese dances,
\netc. are encouraged.<\/p>\n
The assertion that speaking Chinese contributes to separatism
\nis equally insular and false. Walk through neighborhoods of New
\nYork City and you will hear Polish, German, Italian, Yiddish,
\nSpanish, Chinese, and a host of other languages. English, of
\ncourse, remains the native tongue. Closer to home, Singaporeans
\npride themselves, and have found strength, in their diversity.
\nMalay, Tamil, English and Chinese can easily be heard in crowds
\nthroughout the prosperous city-state. Similarly, Bahasa provides
\na unifying communication for Indonesians of all cultural,
\nreligious and ethnic origins. But Dutch being spoken by a group
\nof older pribumi (indigenous Indonesians), or the Moslem call to
\nprayer are hardly interpreted as separatist.<\/p>\n
As the world's economies become more intertwined, as
\ntraveling around the world is measured in hours rather than
\nweeks, the need to recognize and embrace the cultures and
\ntraditions of other peoples should, at the same time, become more
\nurgent and more easy. I would hope that this would be true among
\nIndonesians, of all descent, as it should be around the world.<\/p>\n
STEPHEN LEIBOVIC<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/harmony-amid-diversity-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }