Schindler's List
\nin Indonesia?<\/p>\n
From Sinar Pagi<\/p>\n
To be able to see the controversial film, Schindler's List, in
\nIndonesia would be a pleasure for me. It must be a very good film
\nbecause it received a large number of Oscars.<\/p>\n
I am sure that the film shows a true, historical picture of
\nthe Holocaust, which led to the deaths of millions of Jews at the
\nhands of the Nazi Germans during World War II, rather than
\npropagating Zionism.<\/p>\n
In seeing or viewing the film, we should base our reactions on
\nour consciences not on the basis of whether it might Zionist
\npropaganda or not.<\/p>\n
It is no different from films which tell, for instance, about
\nthe ruthless deeds of the Japanese troops in Asian countries
\nduring World War II and the aborted coup of the banned Indonesian
\nCommunist Party (PKI) in September 1965, which is known as G-30-
\nS\/PKI. The directors or makers of such films did not intend to
\nmake propaganda of a certain movement or "ism" but to put forth
\nfacts about something that happened.<\/p>\n
Thus, if the government insists on banning Schindler's List
\nfrom being shown in Indonesian theaters on the basis of several
\nconsiderations, the decision will make this nation look naive and
\nimmature.<\/p>\n
We should be open minded in this era of globalization and
\ninformation as the public awareness of democratization and human
\nrights issues increases.<\/p>\n
If we ban this film, we will miss the chance to see a good
\nfilm, which is widely appreciated in more developed countries. In
\naddition, the film had been screened in Singapore, a developed
\nASEAN country, without any argument or incident.<\/p>\n
It is good for us to follow the example of the progress-
\noriented people of the developed countries, rather than to sink
\ninto muddy sentiment and perceptions which will darken the
\nconscience and lead us to narrow mindedness.<\/p>\n
HARRY GERUNG<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
Political waves
\nin Japan<\/p>\n
From Kompas<\/p>\n
As a Japanese citizen I feel ashamed at what is happening in
\nthe political arena in Japan, particularly that concerning the
\nresignation of Japanese prime minister Hosokawa, and the
\nconflicts between political parties in their effort to gain the
\nseat of premiership. Following are my comments.<\/p>\n
It is only natural that President Soeharto is concerned about
\nthe good relations between Indonesia and Japan in the context of
\nthe political developments in Japan. Also U.S. President Clinton
\nhas expressed his concern over the impact of the recent
\ndevelopments in the country on U.S.-Japan trade negotiations.<\/p>\n
I am particularly ashamed because the Japanese politicians
\nhave sacrificed the national interest, especially the 1994\/1995
\nstate budget, which will have a great impact on the economy and
\nlife of the Japanese people.<\/p>\n
By this I mean that they are ready to do anything in order to
\nget a grip on the political power. The practice has become part
\nof the political maneuvering in Japan, which is called Seiji No
\nNihon (political poverty).<\/p>\n
I hope, however, that my Indonesian brethren can understand
\nthe situation that persists in Japan. It is a political struggle
\nthat is aimed at wiping out the established political culture
\nthrough political reforms. By so doing we hope that Japan will be
\nable to carry out programs which benefit the people as a whole,
\ninstead of only benefiting the politicians, and maintain stable
\ninternational relations by readily responding to international
\nissues.<\/p>\n
Obviously, any political reform may create frictions and take
\ntime to materialize. But I am confident that the Japanese
\ngovernment -- either coalition government or LDP -- will maintain
\na good relationship and mutual understanding with friendly
\ncountries, including Indonesia.<\/p>\n
MASARU ANTATSU<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
Who abuses the
\nlegal system?<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
Former attorney general, minister of justice, and chief of the
\nSupreme Court, Ali Said, said recently that the public should not
\nonly focus on judges' mistakes because the people themselves are
\ndisoriented in relation to legal matters and tend to abuse the
\nnation's system of law for the sake of their own interests.<\/p>\n
On behalf of the Indonesian people, we object to his
\naccusation. Because it seems that he implied that all of the
\nIndonesian people have committed crimes and other faults.<\/p>\n
Let us bravely set out to prove who the real crooks are.<\/p>\n
Who are the people now in jail for committing crimes
\n(corruption, subversion, etc.)? They were certainly not able to
\nabuse or manipulate the system of law to avoid punishment. They
\nare not from among that certain group of people who have close
\nrelationships with the central power.<\/p>\n
The people who receive special facilities to enrich themselves
\nthrough collusion with top officials who are immune to law are in
\nour streets, not our prisons. They have the power to abuse and
\nmanipulate the nation's legal system for the sake of their own
\nadvantages. And in the end this will mean ruin for them, if not
\nfor us all.<\/p>\n
SOESILO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
Is radio tax
\na fair policy?<\/p>\n
From Kompas<\/p>\n
Radio is the cheapest means of communication and helps to
\nraise the intellectual level of the people. Its broadcasts can
\nreach the remotest parts of the country.<\/p>\n
In line with President Soeharto's ideal to wipe out poverty
\nand educate the people, I would like to ask this question: "Is
\nthe radio tax fair and in compliance with the President's ideal?"<\/p>\n
During my school days I learned that the Indonesian people
\nwere suppressed by the Dutch colonial government and asked to pay
\nvarious taxes and fees. In that context it should be asked
\nwhether the radio tax constitutes progress or a setback.<\/p>\n
B. WALUYO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
The loss of the
\nSupersemar letter<\/p>\n
From Suara Karya<\/p>\n
I have read in the media that the Supersemar (March 11)
\ndocument is nowhere to be found. This is amazing indeed. I
\nthought the administration of our archives was good, everything
\nwas in order and all documents were classified according to their
\nsubject matter.<\/p>\n
I hope that the lost document will be found soon.<\/p>\n
SLAMET YP<\/p>\n
Tegal, Central Java<\/p>\n
Discipline
\nin school<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
Recently a woman teacher, ER, of the PGRI Economic Senior High
\nSchool, in Jakarta wanted to maintain a high sense of discipline
\nin the school. She asked one of her students, HE, to see her
\nbefore the class started and would not allow him to join the
\nclass before he did so.<\/p>\n
This was done as a punishment for what he had done the
\nprevious day, when he left the class session without asking for
\npermission from ER and did not come back until the class was
\nover.<\/p>\n
What ER asked was appropriate because the teacher's task is
\nnot only teaching but also educating the students.<\/p>\n
The student, HE, reacted emotionally and unreasonable beat the
\nteacher, hitting her in the jaw, neck and face several times. As
\na result ER had to be hospitalized.<\/p>\n
Who is responsible for this incident? Naturally, in this case,
\nthe PGRI (Indonesian Teachers Association) should take the
\nnecessary steps to settle the matter and to prevent a recurrence.<\/p>\n
We also hope that in the July 1994 Congress, PGRI will discuss
\na system for protecting teachers from acts of brutality and
\nindiscipline.<\/p>\n
R.B. SOEGIJANA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/schindlers-list-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }