Appeals for unity

I am concerned by statements from the political elite who proclaim that "this nation is threatened with disintegration if the President or the Vice President does not act in this or that way". They would do better to support the President and the Vice President; they should also take responsibility for the nation's unity.

They should say, "We must all safeguard unity, we must always remind our brethren to remain united and to avoid disintegration."

I am also worried when I read a report saying, "There is upheaval again in Ambon, group A attacked group B. Group B retaliated. There were many casualties." A report like this angers group A as well as group B. Why not a statement like, "Fights took place again in Ambon. It was highly regrettable that it was their own loss. It is hoped they are now aware that they were pitted against each other by a third party."

I think Indonesians, including President Abdurrahman Wahid, long for appeals for unity such as, "Remember that we are a great nation, a religious nation, a nation upholding humanitarian values. Evil foreign forces always aim at dividing and colonizing us. Our heroes succeeded in defending our unity ... "

It is now our turn to defend our unity. Do not forget that in the past there were also many of our countrymen who were willing to become foreign agents, victimizing their own people. Such things can still happen now.

Abdurrahman, let us hear your voice, do not react too much to the political elite, always act in the name of the people. Make an appeal to the people, speak to their feelings and give them your direct attention.

MARYONO

Depok, West Java