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