A split personality?

During the past week we witnessed the debate over the participation of the Indonesian beauty queen, Alya Rohali, in the Miss Universe contest in the United States. And as observers of social affairs we found an interesting aspect in the controversy. This controversy, among other things, reflects the image we have of being a nation which likes to apply, more or less, a double standard.

We object to the vital statistics of the contestants being taken, or to their wearing skimpy swimsuits, which we consider denigrating to women. On the other hand we broadcast international beauty contests on our television stations and show Hollywood movies in which the actresses wear bikinis. Similarly, while we are striving to establish a safer society by encouraging pleasant behavior, we are bombarded with shows that are full of violence.

The intellectual Y.B. Mangunwijaya, who earlier this month received the Teeuw Award, told this newspaper recently that the Indonesian nation is at present suffering from a split personality syndrome. On the one hand we still live in a world of tradition, a world of mythology. On the other hand various developments force us to live in a different era. On the one hand the electronic age is making rapid inroads in various aspects of our lives. On the other hand our state of mind is for a large part still feudal.

It could be that the situation in which we live compels us to go through a stage in which we must suffer such a split personality. Obviously, however, we do not want to grow into a nation in which such behavior is normal, a nation of hypocrites whose words do not match their deeds.

We would like to underline this because, aside from the Miss Universe controversy, many examples can be found in our daily lives to attest to the reality of this phenomenon.

In economic forums, such as APEC and AFTA, to the surprise of even some advanced countries, we are always in the forefront among countries stating their readiness to join the world of free markets. However, have we treated the relevant sectors of our industry and our economy in general in such a manner that they will be prepared for free competition?

In politics, the same phenomenon can be observed. We often hear it said -- for example -- that only legally established boards of organizations will be recognized. Yet we allow things to happen that contradict those statements.

This is a development which we find disconcerting. The adoption of a double standard and the existence of incongruity between the word and the deed makes it difficult for others to find consistency and assurance in someone's nature. It seems that we would all agree that we do not want to grow into a nation whose words and deeds do not match.

-- Kompas, Jakarta