Developing literature

Dozens of Indonesian novelists, short story writers, poets, playwrights and critics are currently holding a series of meetings in Bukittinggi and Kayutanam, two West Sumatran towns which have given birth to a number of intellectuals and writers, to discuss the country's literary development.

Contrary to the rapid physical and economic development which Indonesia has achieved during the past few decades, Indonesia's literary development moves at a snail's pace.

When pondering this issue, the most obvious conclusions we often reach are: the self-censorship system introduced by the authorities hampers writers' creativity; the public's indifference to standard literature has given little impetus to the country's literary development; and that the technological advancement has shifted the social values within society.

Each conclusion is credible to some extent. But the most basic reason, we believe, is the lack of appreciation of the country's lingua franca, Bahasa Indonesia, on the part of the general public.

It is public knowledge that many of our university graduates or even the elites do not have a good mastery of the national language, despite their respected skills and status. This is evident when they speak in public, not to mention when they have to put their ideas in written form. More often than not, they use ungrammatical Bahasa Indonesia for the simple reason that they are not aware of, or pay little attention to, the importance of standard language as the most efficient means of communication and expression. Careless use of the national language has become prevalent among the public as there is no sanction given for their mistakes.

Given the public's attitude toward the national language, it stands to reason that Indonesians can hardly expect encouraging progress in the country's world of literature unless correct usage and appreciation of Bahasa Indonesia is improved. Language is the basic feature of literature, which is part of the barometer of a country's culture and civilization.

Besides enhancing public awareness of the importance of the national language, the government should also relax its tight control on the local literary creations, although, at times, they may seem critical of the authorities. The continued stifling of artistic creations will only bring setbacks to the ever advancing world civilization.

The Indonesian literary circles, on their part, have to work harder and create more standard works to prove they deserve greater respect and appreciation since they are the ones who can depict natural beauty, social ills and injustices as well as human joys and sorrows in far better ways than any man on the street could.

Obviously, government support is also needed to promote local novelists and poets in the international world by publishing English versions of the artists' works, which actually are part of the country's cultural assets. Ironically, the translation and publication of local works has been undertaken by the private-run Lontar Foundation.

It is our hope that the Indonesian writers' six-day meeting in West Sumatra, which ends today, will emerge with a stronger commitment to producing more literary works rather than just complaining about government censorship and disputing the budget distribution of the meeting.