Searching for meaning<\/p>\n
As Indonesia's Independence Day on Aug. 17 draws near, a huge
\nnumber of people, mostly ordinary citizens, many of whom are
\nstill struggling to keep their heads above the "economic water",
\nare asking each other: Where is the Golden Bridge promised by the
\nfounders of this republic and the idealistic leaders of the
\nbirth of the nation?<\/p>\n
Indonesians were hopefully happy when told at the beginning of
\nnationhood that independence was not the ultimate goal of the
\nstruggle against colonialism. Independence should be seen as what
\nthe leaders eloquently described as a "Golden Bridge", which
\nwould lead to justice and social welfare, to the uplifting of the
\ndowntrodden, to the prosperity of the oppressed, notably the
\nmillions of landless farmers.<\/p>\n
Now after a 58-year period of trial and error since
\nIndonesia's independence proclamation in 1945, the promised
\nGolden Bridge is nowhere to be seen. Unemployment remains high,
\neducation has become a luxury for many, most cities are full of
\ndisplaced persons, factories have been relocated or closed down.
\nThe promise of the Golden Bridge, as the road map to people's
\nprosperity, has not been heard again.<\/p>\n
To everybody's surprise, however, for those fortunate few who
\nmanaged to become, reportedly through dark manipulation, a
\nspecial bridge has now been erected over which they can pass
\nfreely to more power and more wealth.<\/p>\n
Those who have declared themselves to be suitable candidates
\nfor the 2004 direct presidential elections, for instance, are
\nrunning across this special bridge like "mad cows", as if there
\nis no more important thing to do. Many citizens are asking why so
\nmany influential intellectuals, politicians, scientists,
\neconomists, journalists and artists wrongly believe that the best
\nway to serve the country and the community is only through the
\nposts of president and vice president, instead of through
\nexemplary honesty, dedication and professionalism?<\/p>\n
It seems correct to say that they have removed the promised
\nGolden Bridge for the people and have erected a Bally Bridge of
\ntheir own making in its place. Fortunately, there are still
\nenough modest sensible and competent Indonesians left who have
\nnot lost their minds.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/searching-for-meaning-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }