Addressing state

Addressing state
functionaries

From Bali Post

The country's reform drive has brought about significant
improvement in the way of societal life in Indonesia. In fact our
reform has not deviated from its original ideals as some people
have suggested. These people, who are ardent followers of the New
Order regime, want to maintain the status-quo. I strongly believe
that our reform has been on the right track.

However, in my opinion, there is some minor points that need
our consideration i.e. how to properly address our state
dignitaries. Should we pleasantly say Megawati when referring to
our president? Should we not make a distinction when mentioning
the name of former president Soeharto from a Soeharto who is a
mini-cab driver?

Of course I am not in favor of making somebody a cult of
personality and I am strongly opposed to feudalism. But I want to
be respectful of the state symbols that deserve our proper
recognition. It would not be out of place to include the formal
position when referring to state functionaries such as Regent "So
and So" or Governor Dewa Beratha of Bali etc.

We should be fully aware of the fact that "regent" and
"governor" are state symbols. Therefore I would like to call on
my fellow countrymen to introduce a new paradigm in addressing
someone's name i.e. to include his or her formal position before
the name -- Ibu Megawati as the number-one citizen, and Bapak
Hamzah Haz for the Vice President. At the beginning this may
sound awkward, but in course of time we will get used to such a
paradigm.

I KETUT WIDANA

Mengwi, Bali