Demonstrators neglect ethics

Demonstrators neglect ethics

From Media Indonesia

It was an unexpected sight to see hundreds of Acehnese students and community members in Jakarta going to the legislative building. It saddened us.

While they demanded a referendum for Aceh, the younger ones among them showed arrogance in making pledges and trying to behave like democrats. The action was followed by throwing water bottles at House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung.

The question arose of whether that was the behavior induced by the reform movement toward democracy. I do not think so. True democracy actually teaches how to launch a demonstration and how to file demands.

Whatever the result of a demand, demonstrators should be able to control their emotions and mood to prevent anarchical behavior. Throwing water bottles, taking a goat to the respected building, whatever the reason, are immoral acts. I recommend that we strive to understand democracy in greater depth. Reform does not mean arbitrary behavior. The demand for a referendum in Aceh cannot be decided by a figure like Akbar Tandjung. He is a small element of an institution called the House of Representatives.

It was not logical that the demonstrators said they acted on behalf of the Acehnese people. They should not soil the name of virtuous Acehnese students by acting in an emotional manner.

HASRIL HAMID

Bekasi, West Java