Chinese-Indonesian association

Chinese-Indonesian association

From Suara Karya

Recently I read an article in an Indonesian newspaper about the Chinese-Indonesian Social Association (PSMTI) cooperating with local firm PT Rully Nawatri to promote a business book titled Successful Businessmen Information -- Importers and Exporters Company Profiles (Singapore) and also to give aid to refugees in Ambon, Bengkulu and Aceh.

Well, it is gladdening to hear that the Tionghoa (Chinese- Indonesian) community in Indonesia has done good work in the realization of their effort to help the Indonesian people.

I love the PSMTI and its chairman, Brig. Gen. Tedy Yusuf, for the support of the Chinese-Indonesian community in Indonesia. I appreciate their benevolence. If I had the opportunity to be part of the Chinese-Indonesian community in Indonesia, I would like to join the PSMTI in order to help organize activities related to aid for refugees.

I agree that we should do our utmost to help the Indonesian people. It is hoped there will be no more misunderstandings like the one occurring two years ago, where violence and racial unrest caused injuries among the Chinese-Indonesian community in Indonesia.

Following the democratic polls in Indonesia last year which resulted in the election of a legitimate president and vice president, the Chinese-Indonesian community in Indonesia can now live freely and is permitted to practice Chinese culture, like publicly staging the Singa (Lion) Dance, the Naga (Dragon) Dance, and to use the Mandarin language.

I am sure all Chinese-Indonesians in Indonesia will be able to have a favorable impact on development in the country and to help poor people in Indonesia. It is my hope that every Chinese- Indonesian supports the activities of PSMTI.

We have to think far ahead about Indonesia, not for today, but for eternity.

ANDRE ONG

Singapore