Terrorists down under<\/p>\n
The past fortnight has been a revealing experience for two
\nneighbors whose relationship remains wrought by political and
\nsocietal indifference. Apparently proximity does not necessarily
\nbreed thoughtfulness -- at least not in the case of Indonesia and
\nAustralia.<\/p>\n
It shows once again how easily ignorance, arrogance, and
\nideological chauvinism breeds a minority of bigots who look
\ncondescendingly down on others refusing to conform to their
\nworms-eye view of the world.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has had more than its fair share of these crackpots
\n-- those who pretend to speak to God by bombing innocent
\ncivilians, or conduct "sweepings" based on skin color or faith.<\/p>\n
More than a bane of society, they are a blight disfiguring the
\nnation as a whole.<\/p>\n
But prejudice and conceit knows no territorial boundaries.
\nPerpetrators of the threats and security scares against the
\nIndonesian Consulate and Embassy in Australia are made from the
\nsame mold as those crackpots here. They may be spurred by a
\nmisplaced sense of injustice and warped nationalism -- with no
\nimmediate cost to life or property, yet -- they are akin to
\nterrorists just the same.<\/p>\n
Indonesians should be genuinely concerned about being in
\nAustralia at present, and the foreign ministry in Jakarta should
\nseriously consider issuing a travel advisory -- the same way
\nCanberra frequently warns Australians in Indonesia -- warning its
\ncitizens of a potential backlash as a result of the
\ndisproportionate reaction to the Schapelle Corby verdict.<\/p>\n
The move is not designed with the intention of diplomatically
\nescalating this regrettable situation. But it is the obligation
\nof the government here to ensure the safety and security of
\nIndonesians abroad.<\/p>\n
We are appreciative of the Australian government's reaction to
\nthe situation. Prime Minister John Howard has apologized to
\nIndonesia and publicly condemned the latest threat to the
\nIndonesian Embassy, while senior Australian officials in the
\npreceding weeks have also persistently urged calm in reacting to
\nthe Corby case.<\/p>\n
We are also convinced that the narrow-mindedness of a few does
\nnot represent the empathy of a majority of Australians toward
\ntheir northern neighbors.<\/p>\n
Indonesians themselves have been repeatedly guilty of emotive
\nand irrational responses on issues involving other nations. While
\nwholly supporting the government's position against Malaysia's
\nfalse claims on the Ambalat issue, we are often embarrassed by
\nthe absurd reactions displayed by our fellow countrymen toward
\ntheir Malaysian kin.<\/p>\n
Hence we can sympathize with the profound embarrassment many
\nAustralians must feel in response to the criminal acts of "Corby
\nzealots".<\/p>\n
Nevertheless the latest threat against the embassy in Canberra
\nhas pushed what was initially a rather insignificant issue to
\nmost Indonesians menacingly down a slippery slope, which if not
\ndealt with could sour relationships. It is our hope that
\nIndonesians here respond with the wisdom and understanding that
\nsome Australians have lacked. To show that despite being a poor
\nThird World Asian nation, we can be just as sensible, if not more
\nsensible, as a country which considers itself a developed
\nnorthern hemisphere state stuck in the south.<\/p>\n
We should respect Australia's efforts in its legal appeal on
\nbehalf of Corby without undermining our own judicial processes
\nand show that in spite of all the shortcomings, this nation does
\nhave a functioning law enforcement and judicial system which
\nshould be respected -- the same body which succeeded in
\napprehending the accomplices of last year's blast in front of the
\nAustralian Embassy in Jakarta, and the same court which convicted
\nthe murderers of Australian tourists in the Bali bombings of
\n2002.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/terrorists-down-under-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}