Disrespecting

Disrespecting state symbols

From Koran Tempo

When university students held a protest rally in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, some of them stamped their feet on the pictures of the president and the vice president, a disrespectful act against symbols of the state. It was clear, then, that some of these protesters were devoid of nationalism.

As Indonesians, we must feel concern over this matter as the post-1998 students' movement has tended to abandon our Eastern ethics.

How can Indonesians (particularly young intellectuals) make progress if they do not love their own nation and pay no respect to the state's symbols. Will Indonesia become a just and prosperous country as our predecessors dreamed of?

It is only appropriate that our president, usually known as a hospitable and patient lady, one day shows her anger when the country's young intellectuals and university students pay no respect to the state's symbols.

In this context, legal enforcers must take firm action against the perpetrators in accordance with existing laws.

The people will continue to support the students in their movement to voice their aspirations and fight for total reform in all aspects of life. The only condition is that ethics, manners and legal norms must be observed.

I GUSTI NGURAH MAHENDRA

Denpasar, Bali