Why are we confused?<\/p>\n
Many public figures have been complaining recently that
\nIndonesians are becoming confused about government policies and
\nactions. This is a strange thing to happen to a people known for
\ntheir modesty, understanding and submissiveness. Our culture
\nteaches us to be good citizens and to respect authority.<\/p>\n
In a paternalistic society like ours, where good examples from
\nabove play a pivotal role in preserving balance and social peace,
\nthe leaders have a moral obligation to set good examples.<\/p>\n
The fact that this obligation has been neglected for a long
\ntime now by those in the upper layers of Indonesian society has
\ncaused the people to become confused. It has also resulted in a
\nloss of respect for those whom the people accept as their
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
There have been many occasions on which the authorities have
\ntried to hide the facts because of a fear that, if the truth were
\nknown, the populace would react in a negative manner.<\/p>\n
So the confusion has remained.<\/p>\n
Whenever the public does gain an inkling of the truth and
\npeople start to protest about the situation, their voices are
\nlike cries in the desert.<\/p>\n
The result might best be termed \"structural confusion\":
\nconfusion stemming from the nation's bureaucratic structure.
\nOfficial obfuscation has also lead to diminished trust in the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
One of our cabinet ministers said recently that many people
\nhave lost the capacity for healthy thinking. We believe such an
\naccusation would better be leveled against those in the upper
\nlevels of society than against the common people.<\/p>\n
The current campaign against what the authorities call
\n\"formless organizations\" is confusing in itself, given that the
\nexpression is a contradiction in terms. In Indonesian as well as
\nEnglish, all organizations have form and anything that does not
\nhave form is not an organization.<\/p>\n
The Merpati airlines controversy is the latest example of how
\ninconsistencies on the part of the leaders can sow confusion
\namong the people. The government's statement that the sacking of
\nMerpati president Ridwan Fatarudin has nothing to do with the
\nlatter's refusal to lease planes from the state-owned airplane
\ncompany is not easy to believe.<\/p>\n
Confusion is now engulfing the whole of Indonesian society as
\nevery group confronts confounding situations in every field.
\nWhile the people continue to dream of social solidarity and
\njustice, the new rich are exhibiting a tendency to flaunt their
\nwealth. Their wedding parties rival those of royalty in the West,
\naccording to one foreign diplomat.<\/p>\n
Perhaps we are not yet ready to become a truly modern society.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-are-we-confused-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }