Taking the wrong cues from the U.S.<\/p>\n
From Rakyat Merdeka<\/p>\n
Indonesians consist of people dwelling in areas stretching
\nfrom Sabang to Merauke and people who are no longer concerned by
\nthe issue of ethnic differences, for example because of
\ninterethnic marriage.<\/p>\n
They know that Indonesia has been an independent unitary state
\nfor 54 years and that they are Indonesians. To them Indonesia is
\na group of islands stretching along the equator.<\/p>\n
Yet there is also a handful of people who are members of the
\npolitical elite. They provoke regional people into taking
\nseparatist action that will end up in national disintegration. To
\nus, on the one hand, the political elite seems to be progressive
\nminded. They may have been educated abroad, such as in the United
\nStates, and they would like to model our country upon the United
\nStates.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, however, these people have caused
\nbackwardness in our nation. They seem to be unaware of the fact
\nthat Southeast Asian countries have set up ASEAN, European
\ncountries their European Union and countries in Asia and the
\nPacific, APEC.<\/p>\n
The elite would like to set up a federal state, which is
\nactually inappropriate for this country. They are advocating it
\nin the name of the people while the action is actually in pursuit
\nof their political ambition. Or, perhaps, the members of the
\npolitical elite are the lackeys of imperialist powers or perhaps
\nthe henchmen of the countries where they used to stay and study.<\/p>\n
Why have they never thought of calling on all people to unite
\nand help the reform government under Abdurrahman Wahid and
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri? They should explain to the people that
\nthe present government is a reform government. This government
\nwas set up after the collapse of the corrupt New Order regime,
\nwhich was notorious for trampling upon people's rights.<\/p>\n
Why not do this for the people. Explain to the people that the
\nnew government will lead us all to a New Indonesia. This
\ngovernment will place popular sovereignty in the place it
\ndeserves. It is based on democracy and upholding justice.
\nBesides, it is not tainted by corruption, collusion and nepotism.<\/p>\n
The New Indonesia will never come into being with only Gus Dur
\nor Megawati along. It will take the entire nation to establish a
\nNew Indonesia. The key in this Herculean task is unity. Then all
\nnational components from the central to the regional levels
\nshould restructure our state. In this way, injustice no longer be
\nfound in Indonesia, in all aspects of life. Let us solve our
\nnational problems within the framework of Indonesian nationalism.<\/p>\n
SOEBAGIO SAFRI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/taking-the-wrong-cues-from-the-us-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }