Discrimination and English in RI

The recent letters to this column on the subject of education in general and English-language butchery by a Cabinet minister in particular, overlook one glaring problem on the issue.

As most people clearly realize, there are certain very successful non-native ethnic groups that are rarely, if ever, given the opportunity to participate in government. Chinese- Indonesians, as well as Indian-Indonesians and others (together they might number around 10 million nationwide), are by and large, incredibly talented groups of people in this country; in terms of technical skills, language skills and work ethic.

However, these highly skilled, highly educated people and the talent they possess, are not being utilized one iota by this country's government. Unbelievable! This must be the only government on this planet that actively pushes away, indeed bans, its most talented, educated segment of society.

This is not just morally reprehensible, it is nothing short of stupidity -- for lack of a better English word.

If this struggling nation -- with millions of people living in poverty -- were willing to put its discrimination aside and appoint/hire the absolutely most talented people for jobs ranging from ministers to state university professors, the improvements would be incredible.

But alas, not only is this subject of discrimination and missed opportunities forbidden in most public fora, it seems as if it is not even up for consideration for those in power when they are looking to appoint qualified personnel for crucial government posts.

RICCARDO Jakarta