Brittleness of nationalism

Brittleness of nationalism

From Rakyat Merdeka

Our founding fathers would be lost in sad contemplation if they heard about the demands of some Indonesians who want independence. Those who fought audaciously to liberate this country, to maintain the unity of the nation, would feel betrayed because their struggle had been in vain.

The people who created the national language and coined the slogan Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) are being deserted by the younger generation.

The government is not ready to face the era of globalization that is pushing ahead reform and technology. The nation's ideals in the New Order era were deviated and poisoned the people's lives.

The consequence of all this is that various regions in Indonesia are demanding that the central government act in a just way toward the regional governments and implement extended autonomy. There have also been demands for independence. Aceh demands a referendum, Riau wants independence, Ambon continues to be in turmoil and there is a separatism movement in Irian Jaya. All that points to the wish to free oneself from Indonesia's sovereignty.

As part of the younger generation I appeal to all not to betray the struggle of the nation's founding fathers who tirelessly unified and liberated the whole territory of Indonesia. The present government (Abdurrahman Wahid's Cabinet) should concentrate on repairing the damages brought about by the former government, especially the cases of injustice and human rights violations.

KODRIN

Jakarta