Can't we all just get along

President B.J. Habibie's comment about racism in Singapore was really shocking.

In my opinion, to maintain a good and harmonious relationship with our neighbors, it is always best not to talk about something which we find bad or annoying in their domestic affairs. I understand that Habibie is probably still embarrassed by the comments made by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew prior to Habibie's becoming president. Whether or not his recent statement was meant as a counterattack to these comments, I would think that such a statement by Habibie (if it was indeed true) would not help his popularity in the next election. How can he be considered a true statesman?

Indonesia and Singapore are two close neighbors which have always have a good relationship in the past because both countries are dependent on each other. So where is the ASEAN spirit?

YANTO

Jakarta