Cause for reflection

Cause for reflection

In a declaration, issued on Friday May 12, at Taman Ismail
Marzuki in Jakarta, signatories of the document, including W.S.
Rendra, Emha Ainun Najib and Goenawan Mohamad, noted that a
return appeared to have taken place to the principle of politics
as the ruling power, of intolerance in attitude and in reasoning
towards differing views, and of the inclination to wipe out
opinion by the use of absolute notions.

The declaration mentions the matter of licensing requirements,
including those for shows and plays, which officially are not
needed but which in reality not only are required but are also
effective.

The May Declaration expresses grave concern over the fact that
"in the end, the standard will be valid that the strongest is
always right". If that happens, then "the nation will suffer a
loss of creative and capable talent, while freedom and justice
will perish or be close to perishing".

Progress proceeds with interruptions for every nation. What
interrupts the progress of our nation? The factors which most
bothered our great leaders such as Mohammad Hatta and Syahrir
were conservatism, feudalism and exclusivism.

Every time, we are being confronted by the inclination towards
conservatism among our political leadership. We also have to
confront our own historic legacy, feudalism as well as tendencies
towards exclusivism. Our intellectuals lack the will and the
moral courage to seek breakthroughs and overcome those
tendencies.

After 50 years of independence, whether we like it or not,
those issues should stimulate our views and our attitudes, in
order that we may recognize the problems, which we are now
facing, in their historic perspectives.

-- Kompas, Jakarta