East Timor referendum

East Timor referendum

In his article on East Timor (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 24),
after admitting his mistaken comments on the issue and bravely
taking the criticism against him, Kwik Kian Gie further wrote: "I
believe it is therefore only logical that a referendum is the
best way to let the East Timorese decide what they want to do
about their future."

No one would want to refute this idea. However, the next
paragraph appears to contradict notions with only "some
assumptions" as the basis of his reasoning. While it was probably
not totally wrong to employ "what if" scenarios when talking
about what will happen in the future, it should be noted that
these assumptions tend to shift the focus from what we believe is
the best way -- that is, a referendum.

When will we, as a nation, begin making decisions on important
issues based on principles of morality and logic, and then stick
with our decisions whatever their consequences? Of course we need
to consider the consequences of our decisions to properly
anticipate them. But this should not change what we believe is
the best solution.

For a long time, decisions concerning the welfare of this
nation have been based solely on calculations of material gains
and losses. Solutions at the root of the problem are often
deliberately avoided -- as this would require hard work and
uncomfortable side effects -- and morally sound cures are left
behind as merely ideals.

ILHAM DJAJA

Jakarta