Can Indonesia survive intact as a nation?

Can Indonesia survive intact as a nation?

If Indonesia's founding fathers were still alive, what would
they say about the country's current situation? Is today's
Indonesia the nation they fought for? Has the nation progressed
along the same ideals that had in the past forged unity and
solidarity among its diverse people?

These are questions Indonesians face as they embark on yet
another year of struggle to remain united and survive as a
nation.

Fifty-seven is a relatively young age for a nation-state.
History has shown that most countries that are less than a
century-old are vulnerable to the threats of disintegration.
There are many disintegrating factors that could lead to
Indonesia breaking up. It is up to the people to carry on the
commitment of the country's founding fathers to, among other
things, maintain unity and diversity, create prosperity and
social justice for all.

Today's Indonesia seems a far cry from the ideal. Social
injustice, the lack of solidarity, ethnic and religious conflict,
separatist claims, the repression of the weak and poor by the
rich and state apparatus are the norm and an indication of a
weakening sense of nationalism.

Are there hopes for Indonesia to survive as a country and
nation?

The Jakarta Post's Ahmad Junaidi, Kurniawan Hari and Tertiani
ZB Simanjuntak talked to young people and experts on the above
problems. The young people interviewed were all aged between 15
and 25. It is in the hands of this age group that the fate of
this nation remains. What do they have to say about the current
situation? And what do they think Indonesians could possibly do
to avert the fate of other nation-states that have since
disappeared? The following are their reports.