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