Distinction without honor

Distinction without honor

In the beginning, medals of honor were awarded as part of a ritual to salute Indonesia's Independence Day. That independence was after all won through the sacrifice of lives and blood and by the mustering of an extraordinary patriotic elan. For that reason, each year pending Aug. 17, this nation selects those considered most worthy of being bestowed with the highest honors available, in accordance with their merits and the services they have rendered the nation.

Over time, though, the formality of awarding those tokens of merit shifted in meaning and from an elevated ritual became a undistinguished ceremony. The principal character of the ritual was lost and, unfortunately, not only its "soul" was lost but also the deserving personalities involved. We no longer seem to know who deserves to be honored and who doesn't. Last year, we were stunned to learn that Dr. Hasri Ainun Habibie, President Habibie's wife, was awarded the Adipratama medal, even though she had been first lady for just a few months. J.E. Habibie, President Habibie's younger brother, was awarded the Mahaputera Utama medal of merit.

This time we are once again stunned because, amid all the public outburst aimed at the person in question, Baramuli was also given a medal of merit. Many of this year's recipients are unworthy of being given such a distinction -- not on the neighborhood level and much less on the national.

Our medals of merit have lost their distinction. They have become no more than a routine part of our Independence Day celebrations and must be accepted with shame. But is there any feeling of shame left in us?

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta