Avoid negative perceptions

The Jakarta Post is perhaps the only source of independent and neutral reference about Indonesia for the rest of the world. What you say and how you say it carry enormous weight in shaping international perception of the country.

I was, therefore, rather disappointed to the screaming headlines on the front page of your newspaper, on two consecutive days last week, that Our sense of humanity is already dead (Nov. 15), and Indonesia mentally ill (Nov. 16).

In my opinion, the Post presented a very gloomy picture rising out of certain current events. Newsworthiness is important, but this is not the only concern. A responsible and influential newspaper like yours should avoid creating excessive and negative perceptions, which would not only create cynicism among the public, but would also nullify any small chance for direct foreign investment that the country might expect in the near future.

The majority of Indonesians love peace. From whatever experience I have gathered in this country, I opine that the common people of Indonesia are kind-hearted and gracious as individuals, and stand up to truth, justice, tolerance, and compassion for their fellow human beings.

Your own "Speakers' Corner" column, I notice, often brings out the best wisdom, generally not expected from the lowest strata of society, whom you interview regularly.

Let us look at the positive events that have happened in Indonesia in recent years. Who would have even thought that president Soeharto, after 32 years of rule, would step down from office so abruptly in 1998? Who would have imagined that the status of East Timor would change so drastically, thanks to a single major decision by Habibie, who was president at the time? I was pleasantly surprised that during the beginning of president Abdurrahman Wahid's rule, he audaciously abolished the information ministry. Press freedom is now taken for granted.

All these momentous changes took place within a span of a mere four years. Not a mean achievement at all, for a country of this size and diversity.

D. CHANDRAMOULI, Jakarta