50 years of independence

50 years of independence

Yugoslavia was once Indonesia's democratic counterpart. But
that country is now disintegrating. In 1966, Pakistan's and
Nigeria's economies were better than Indonesia's economy. Now,
our economy is better than theirs. Therefore, Indonesia is
rightly thankful to God. This statement was made by Prof. Emil
Salim, in his capacity as the head of the Executive National
Committee of the 50th Anniversary of Indonesia's independence
during a meeting with chief editors of the media in Jakarta.

This feeling of thankfulness should be accompanied by an open
attitude and modesty in our efforts to learn from experiences. We
should also have a common political will to correct our past
mistakes, and a common determination to build our future towards
the achievement of the nation's proclamation goal.

The celebration of the 50th Independence Day must ensure the
active and intensive participation of the people as a whole, and
not make them merely spectators of the grand festivity. The
people should be given the widest chance to mark the day in their
own ways, styles and manners: presenting cultural shows,
organizing a variety of contests -- all from the people, by the
people and for the benefit of the people.

The philosophical meaning of the independence festival is to
awaken our consciousness on the crucial task of realizing the
national goal i.e. the people's prosperity, justice and welfare.

-- Kompas, Jakarta