Federal state may be better choice

Federal state may be better choice

The demand of the Acehnese to hold a referendum immediately
poses a number of problems. On the one hand it is their right
because of the atrocities they have experienced for the past 10
years at least. On the other hand, the matter is something that
saddens the Indonesian nation because demands for a referendum
surely have the objective of independence.

Actually, it is astonishing to hear about the rejection of a
federal state by people like Coordinating Minister of Political
Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, Minister of Regional Autonomy
Ryaas Rasyid and certain circles in the House of Representatives.
We should not view the form of our unitary state as something too
sacred that must be maintained forever.

We should not be influenced too much by instigations that the
concept of a federal state is a product of foreign forces wanting
to dominate our country.

On the contrary we should start seeing that perhaps a
federation is the only form that guarantees the unity of the
Republic of Indonesia. We should recall our country's slogan
Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Our diversity is the
very thing that ensures our country's oneness. Aceh and other
regions in Indonesia demanding freedom, would probably wish to
remain part of this country as a federal state.

This would certainly require lengthy discussions. It can be
questioned if the establishment of a federal state requires the
annulment of the 1945 Constitution as averred by Ryaas Rasyid, or
does it suffice to amend the article stating that the Republic of
Indonesia is a unitary state?

Our ministers should refrain from instilling fear into the
community with narrow and shallow conservative thinking. Instead
they should openly impart information to the community on the
advantages and drawbacks of various forms of the state.

AMIR SIDHARTA

Jakarta