Assimilation problems

Assimilation problems

From Media Indonesia

Many of our citizens live in harmony respecting each other despite differences in ethnicity, religion and race. But conflicts still occur.

I believe that differences, including marriage, should not govern our lives. But I have collided with a government regulation.

My parents are categorized as Indonesian citizens of foreign origin. Consequently I fall into the same category. I have virtually no knowledge of my foreign origins. I only know Indonesia. But with my birth certificate there is the so-called K1 form which I do not find with indigenous Indonesians.

Now I wish to marry an indigenous Indonesian with a religion different from mine. Here I also receive different treatment because there are two institutions which register marriages according to law. I must register at the Registry Office because I am a non-Moslem, while my prospective wife must report to the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA). My marriage has now been postponed indefinitely.

If the government had only one institution to record marriages legally, I would not have any problem. I believe many fellow citizens are experiencing the same problem.

It is my wish that the differences in the treatment of citizens, both indigenous and of foreign extraction, will be gradually reduced alongside the endeavors toward assimilation.

SUGALA

Jakarta