Becoming part of Indonesia

Becoming part of Indonesia

From Sinar Pagi

Assimilation, or the Indonesian pembauran, can be taken to
mean a mixture, referring to relationships among people within a
country. This is particularly true for Indonesia whose population
has many ethnic groups and various nonindigenous people, the
majority of which are Indonesian citizens.

History has witnessed that both the indigenous and
nonindigenous people have been united, although many people in
the community have different perceptions concerning nonindigenous
members of our society.

Who are the nonindigenous people? They were originally foreign
nationals who came to Indonesia and lived here for decades, even
centuries, and through a natural process have had offspring who
make up what we now call nonindigenous people.

Another question arises. What about their traditions, cultures
and names in their new environment? These aspects of life
proceeded peacefully and transparently in accordance with the law
of nature. If this phenomenon is understood without prejudice by
the community of the receiving country, harmonious relations
among fellow citizens, in the true sense of the word, will be a
given.

It is a fact that in Indonesia we know of various kinds of
nonindigenous people in relation to their countries of origin,
such as Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs and Chinese. There has been no
problem with the issue of assimilation, mainly through cross
marriages and the use of their original ethnic names. Changing
foreign names into indigenous names -- be they Chinese, Arabs,
Indians or otherwise -- will have no meaning if they do not
change their attitude and way of life in accordance with local
customs.

The concerns of the indigenous people that the nonindigenous
people's traditions and culture may develop to the extent that
they will dominate the local mores are groundless and should be
eliminated. Every nation has laws to govern the lives of its
people to ensure it does not undermine the sovereignty of the
country.

SOEPRODJO

Jakarta