The elite blamed for cynicism<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The majority of the Indonesian people have grown
\ncynical to the values of nationalism, chiefly because of the
\nbehavior and attitude of the elite, according to Minister of
\nDefense and Security Edi Sudradjat.<\/p>\n
In an unusually hard-hitting speech, Edi said in Yogyakarta
\nyesterday that most violations of the law have been committed by
\npeople at the top of society, the very group that is expected to
\nset an example and provide leadership in a exceedingly
\npaternalistic society like Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"If we observe properly, criticism of (the state ideology)
\nPancasila are not leveled at its basic values, but at its
\npractical values. This is because in normal conditions we have
\nfailed to observe those values that we should be upholding,\" he
\nwas quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.<\/p>\n
The retired general gave the opening address at a two-day
\ndiscussion on nationalism, organized by Taman Siswa, one of
\nIndonesia's oldest educational institutions in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
Some 200 people, ranging from intellectuals to politicians,
\nare participating in the meeting which will also be addressed by
\nother senior government officials.<\/p>\n
Edi cited corruption, poor leadership and officials'
\ninsistence on being served by the public instead of serving them
\nas examples of the violations and irregularities committed by the
\nelite. He said this is found everywhere in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
These violations and irregularities, he added, appear to have
\neven been accepted as normal by some segments of society.<\/p>\n
\"Although these violations may not be widespread, as they are
\nlimited to only the Indonesian elite, the end result is that
\npeople become cynical towards those who are running the nation,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Such cynicism could also cause people to become indifferent
\ntowards the national ideology, and this in turn would open the
\nway for the intrusion of foreign values, he reasoned.<\/p>\n
\"The violations found in cities, while considered normal by
\nsome, are regarded as disgraceful acts by those who feel that
\nthey are wrong,\" Edi insisted.<\/p>\n
The minister said that in a heterogeneous and paternalistic
\nsociety like Indonesia, people still look for leadership and
\nrole-models, something that should be provided by the elite.<\/p>\n
He described the elite group as the \"lighthouse\" by which the
\nrest of society steers.<\/p>\n
The difficulty with the current government's National
\nDiscipline Campaign is that discipline violations are being
\ncommitted by those at the top of society, he said.<\/p>\n
Edi also said that the progress and modernization that
\nIndonesia has achieved through national development programs has
\nnot been as widespread as many believe.<\/p>\n
If observed properly, development has only led to the creation
\nof several \"oases\" in society, he said.<\/p>\n
\"So we now have an economic oasis, a science-technology oasis,
\nand an industrial oasis. Even the modernization process that is
\ncurrently taking place has created an oasis in the middle of a
\nchiefly traditional society,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bearing this in mind, the chief national agenda should be to
\nensure greater equality in society by eliminating these oases.<\/p>\n
This, he said, could be achieved by creating a society that is
\nhighly disciplined, upholds a work ethic and has a strong sense
\nof nationalism. \"The attitude and behavior of the elite people is
\ncrucial to the realization of national goals,\" Edi said. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-elite-blamed-for-cynicism-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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