Time to consider a federal state<\/p>\n
From Republika<\/p>\n
The people in Aceh, Riau, East Kalimantan and Irian Jaya have
\nopenly informed the government that if there is no regional
\nautonomy and financial balance, the four provinces will secede
\nfrom the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia (Republika,
\nApril 8). In fact, other people in the provinces outside Java
\nhave the same wish hidden in their hearts. It must be admitted
\nthat the four provinces are the most courageous in this matter.<\/p>\n
Is the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia sacrosanct?
\nThe people saying so in the name of nationalism and history are
\nobsessed with central power. Lord Acton's saying has been proven
\nby history: Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts
\nabsolutely. Therefore, the central power must be regulated in
\nsuch a way as to guarantee that there will be no central power
\nanymore in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Limited central power is found in federal states like the
\nUnited States, Germany and Australia. Those three countries are
\nprosperous, just, strong and united. There, they do not talk
\nabout certain ideologies like nationalism, national unity, etc.,
\nbut they have implemented democracy in a clear manner because it
\nis regulated in their constitution. More than 200 years ago, the
\nfounding fathers of the U.S. were conscious that a federal state
\nwas the best form of government to ensure welfare, justice,
\nstrength and unity.<\/p>\n
It is not too late to be aware of our mistakes. It is time to
\nconsider an Indonesian Federal Republic. There is no need to wait
\nlike the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.<\/p>\n
DEHEN BINTI<\/p>\n
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-to-consider-a-federal-state-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }