We know only the best citizens<\/p>\n
From Merdeka<\/p>\n
I read in Merdeka, March 12, an article entitled Soedomo:
\nDon't be afraid of inclusion of nonindigenous people in the
\ncabinet.<\/p>\n
The article's title, apparently, touches on a subject which is
\nstill highly sensitive. In fact, the article discusses mainly
\nsecurity and requirements demanded for the cabinet ministers. I
\nregret that this issue was raised in the essay. What is important
\nis that the cabinet should consist of the country's best sons and
\ndaughters.<\/p>\n
As a law-based country, Indonesia recognizes only two
\ncategories of citizens: foreign nationals and Indonesian
\ncitizens. In my opinion there is no such thing as indigenous and
\nnonindigenous citizens. If I may say frankly, only ethnic Chinese
\nare referred to as nonindigenous, whereas the other ethnic
\ngroups, including Arabs and Dutch, are not.<\/p>\n
In reality, we currently have ministers of Arab origin, yet we
\nhaven't made this a political issue. There is no need to dispute
\nabout the fact. During Sukarno's era, we had a few ministers of
\nChinese descent, such as the minister of health and minister of
\nfinance, and that was nothing extraordinary. It was a common
\nstate of affair. Why is it now made a heated issue, as if the
\nnonindigenous people are a formidable group.<\/p>\n
Remember President Soeharto's speech delivered on Aug. 16,
\n1967: \"The nonindigenous, albeit Chinese in origin, are
\nIndonesian citizens who have the same rights, responsibilities
\nand positions as other lawful Indonesian citizens. Therefore,
\nthere is no reason for treating them discriminately.\"<\/p>\n
Please note, this was said in 1967, so we should not take a
\nbackward step in our effort to flourish unity and integrity of
\nthe nation.<\/p>\n
It is true that there are different cultural backgrounds and
\nphysical appearances between the indigenous people and the people
\nof Chinese descent. But we should not forget that even among the
\nindigenous, there are distinctions in terms of culture,
\ntraditions, physical postures and languages, for example, the
\nBatak, Javanese and Ambonese, to name just a few.<\/p>\n
The President admitted the differences as a normal and natural
\nphenomenon. Let the differences exist and remain as they are. The
\npoint is how we should make the differences a source of power to
\neternalize harmonious unity.<\/p>\n
Look at the United States, a black citizen can take up the
\nposition of chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and it is said
\nthat the current secretary of state is an immigrant. In Peru,
\nPresident Fujimori is of Japanese descent. In Surinam, they have
\na minister of Javanese descent, and that very minister once
\nvisited Indonesia.<\/p>\n
To conclude, everybody, under the law, should enjoy equal
\nrights and shoulder the same responsibilities, especially in this
\ntime of severe crisis, when the nation's unity and integrity are
\nat stake.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/we-know-only-the-best-citizens-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }