A split personality?

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