Standing tall<\/p>\n
As an observer from within the country, it appears to me that
\nIndonesia is now in its third major crisis. The first was the
\nremoval of Dutch colonialism, which resulted in independence, the
\nsecond was the removal of the communist threat in the mid-1960s,
\nwhich resulted in the establishment of Indonesia as we now know
\nit. President Soeharto played an important part in both these,
\nand now he must steer Indonesia through the third.<\/p>\n
I believe that the threat today is one of potential economic
\ncontrol (or economic colonialism) by the Western powers.
\nPresident Soeharto is right to take a strong position, and not
\nsimply accept the IMF proposals with the rules and values of the
\nWest. If the IMF package requires action which is contrary to the
\nIndonesian Constitution, or, more importantly, contrary to the
\ntraditional Indonesian values, strong position must be taken. Of
\ncourse, IMF assistance is worthwhile, but with terms negotiated,
\nnot imposed.<\/p>\n
Indonesia now has a choice; prepare for the next century as an
\n\"economic colony of the West,\" or become a strong and independent
\nrepublic, with its own traditional morals and beliefs.<\/p>\n
Even though the second option may require short-term
\nhardships, this must be the preferred way forward for the
\nIndonesian people. Thus, the Republic of Indonesia will emerge,
\nGod willing, as a major and independent player in the next
\ncentury, and not become a \"tame tiger.\"<\/p>\n
PAUL SPICE<\/p>\n
Bontang, East Kalimantan<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/standing-tall-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }