Character building

A captivating feature article appearing in two parts in Kompas, May 21 and May 22, came from the hand of Dr. Mochtar Pabottingi of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences under the eye- catching title State with no nation, nation with no character.

Viewed from the classic concept on the interdependence between state and nation in terms of the requisites for their respective existence, and the necessity of moral attributes as the requisite for the existence of nation, the writer's thesis as identified by the title of his article sounds original, so far as it is applied to the Indonesian setting under the present situation on the eve of the general election.

It is true that from the viewpoint of international law, the writer's thesis has no validity. In international relationships, Indonesian nationality as the outcome of the existence of the Indonesian state, Republic of Indonesia, member of the family of nations, organized under the United Nations, is recognized and thus constitutes no problem.

But when, under the present situation, the validity of the "nation" concept is questioned in light of the prevailing situation nationwide, it is felt that the problem holds water in the realm of political philosophy, considering particularly the widespread disturbances involving ethnic feuds resorting to the use of force and violence, and the incessant irrational irregularities ascribed to disruption in the administration's competence.

Nevertheless, the most salient feature characterizing Pabottinggi's article is that it gives a warning which must be heeded. He asserts that the state must not be made the property of exclusive groups and bureaucrats. The state must be returned to be the property of the nation proper.

Then, another pertinent warning, tersely set forth in the writing, is the challenging perception visualizing the nation having no character. This is a very serious warning.

It seems a paradox if this country should be identified as a nation with no character, when it is well-known that the Indonesian people strongly adhere to religious faith.

In this respect, it seems that rhetorics should recede in intensity to allow for more pragmatic, real social actions and educational improvement programs to prevail.

Above all, one field of national undertaking, which by far has been neglected, will stand out at every stage of he development process in the coming new millennium.

This is education. As long as education, teachers and school buildings, particularly at the primary and secondary level, are neglected nationwide, character-building at the national level will remain futile. This will entail, as its consequence, the belated materialization of the individual man-making concept, let alone nation building.

After 50 years of political independence, we see that at present, the fear of national disintegration is widespread. Disintegration, in a sense, may be viewed as a risk stemming from the decadence, if not decay, of the national character.

The coming general election, to be executed fairly and clean, are the vital means to allay such fears.

S. SUHAEDI

Jakarta