Character building

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