Concern for Indonesian

As an Indonesian citizen concerned over Bahasa Indonesia, I am deeply impressed by the Australian high school students who speak Bahasa Indonesia fluently and flawlessly (The Jakarta Post, April 15, 1994). I also appreciate any concern over Bahasa Indonesia in any form, including the lament made in this paper's editorial.

However, I would like to mention some general language phenomena, in relation with the editorial.

When I was in college, though I was majoring English, I studied style (variations) of language. There are five styles: frozen, formal, consultative, casual and intimate styles. These styles are found in almost any society. The styles reflect the difference in nuance and relationship of the speakers and listeners, or of writers and readers. In casual style, for example, we may find some omissions of certain grammatical structures, or short forms of certain words.

So speaking with friends requires a different style than speaking with strangers. In the first instance, we might tend to use a casual style, while in the second, a formal style. The use of a casual or intimate style among close friends is a common phenomenon found in any society. It does not necessarily mean, I suppose, "a tendency to use the national language with too little respect towards grammar in order to show their status," as the editorial states. Just imagine what would happen if we used the formal style when we talked among close friends, and what the result would be if we used the casual style, say using gue, when we talked to strangers.

The second language phenomenon I would like to mention is the use of foreign or local words in Bahasa Indonesia sentences. This happens very often in our society. The purpose of using foreign or local words is to give the exact meaning the words convey since Bahasa Indonesia might not have an equivalent. The speaker or writer worries that the use of translation does not convey the same things as the original words do.

This is our "assignment." A couple of years ago we could still hear people using the word "monitor" (as in memonitor, verb). But now the exact equivalence in Bahasa Indonesia is memantau (verb).

However, I realize that there are some people who use this application just to show off.

ABDUL MUKTI

Jakarta

Why foreign pilots?

From Suara Karya

When we travel by air on domestic flights we often find a foreign pilot in the cockpit besides an Indonesian one. This seems strange if we follow the development of civil aviation in this country, especially as far as the cockpit crew is concerned.

If we look back at the situation in the 1950s, there were only two airlines in Indonesia -- Garuda Indonesian Airways (now PT Garuda Indonesia) and Kroonduif (now PT Merpati Nusantara). At that time all pilots of the two companies were KLM (Royal Dutch Airways) pilots, who worked for Indonesia, because civil aviation was still unpopular among Indonesian young people.

In 1954, Garuda Indonesian Airways recruited some Indonesian pilots from the Air Force, and in the meantime graduates from Ast Hamble (Britain), Indonesian Aviation Academy (Curug) and Rijksluchtvaart School (The Netherlands) began to fill cockpits as pilots, with the captain still being a foreign pilot. Not until 1956 did Indonesian pilots begin to act as captains for smaller aircraft.

In 1958, when Indonesia was struggling to regain West Irian from the Dutch, Indonesian pilots began to take over the cockpit from the Dutch pilots who had to leave Indonesia.

That at the present time we still see foreign pilots in the cockpits of Indonesian fleet gives rise to some questions.

First, are Indonesians less capable of flying aircraft, including Aircharter and Airtaxi? Is it true that Indonesian Aviation Schools cannot produce enough pilots to meet demand? Also, is it true that the present fleet is so sophisticated that foreign pilots are needed to handle the aircraft, while Indonesian pilots are being prepared for a technology takeover?

SUMITRO

Jakarta

Sexual diseases in Irian Jaya

From Kompas

It is unfortunate that the governor of Irian Jaya has rejected the report appearing in the Kompas daily that sexually transmitted diseases are a major problem among villagers in the Baliem Valley.

If the report is true, it is important to take action to protect the villagers, who constitute the smallest number of Irian Jaya tribespeople, from extinction.

The report is not like the explosion of a bomb as the governor suggested. However, the diseases will certainly become a time bomb, if the government fails to handle the problem immediately.

We should remember that the people of Irian are Indonesians who need our concern and help. Prompt action from the government will be appreciated.

MARIA MMF KAISIEPO

Bogor, West Java

Land compensation rates in Maluku

From Pelita

On the behalf of the villagers of Laimu Village, Tehoru District, Central Maluku Regency, Ambon, I plead with the Ministry of Home Affairs to re-evaluate the amount of land compensation paid by the cement company, Maluku Semen Dinamika, and the subdistrict head of Laimu Village.

We base our pleas on the knowledge that the company has been collaborating with the subdistrict head of Laimu, forcing us to relinquish our land at only Rp 1,000 per meter.

We do not object to the construction of a cement factory in our village, but expect them to compensate us for our land and the plants on it at appropriate amounts. The trees did not grow there by themselves.

We hope the government will intervene immediately, or there will be more poor villages in this country.

MARIO ABUBAKAR KUMKELO

Laimu Village, Ambon

Supporters for Thomas, Uber cups

From Kompas

The Indonesian badminton players' recent success in the All England finals brings optimism that the nation will seize the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup in May.

Nevertheless, the Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) should be alert about the non-technical factors influencing our performance. Among these being the behavior of our players' supporters.

I think Indonesian supporters are unpredictable and they may mock or boo our players, when they are having difficulties winning.

It is advisable for PBSI to screen supporters and give them free tickets to ensure that they will be polite and support our players even when their rivals lead in the matches.

These supporters could be deployed only during the final rounds.

I wish the players well. Win the cups.

SJAMSIDIK

Jakarta Judges' salaries and hard duties

From Kompas

The negative image of Indonesian judges cannot help but to prevail.

Judges are human beings who make mistakes just like anyone else. They can also be tempted by consumerism and the glamorous way of life of a big city.

Compared to those of their ASEAN counterparts, the salaries of Indonesian judges are poor.

I think the government should review the salary system for judges in light of the difficult tasks the judges face in upholding justice and truth. They deserve millions of rupiah per month.

ARY SETYADHARMA

Pangkalan Bun

Central Kalimantan