Disrespecting state symbols

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