Find the cause of the troubles!

Rational people are still looking for the real cause of the serious troubles in several parts of our beloved country. Indonesians young and old are seemingly gripped by sadistic feelings that result in killing, torture, rape and robbery; in a country long considered by the international community to be a hospitable, charming and tolerant nation.

A doctor, before deciding how to treat a patient, tries very hard to diagnose the illness to map out the most efficient cure. The same must be applied here. Indonesian leaders must diagnose what is wrong with the people and why they are acting this way and then what is the best way to get out a situation which brings no peace and profit but only sufferings to the whole nation.

I am not a national leader, but I have my opinion, and in this democratic country I am free to express what I think, especially when what I think is in the direction of trying to find a solution and restore peace and order here. There is no political motive and no hidden desire to become famous and powerful.

In my modest opinion, all these troubles occurred because the "leaders" have not had the slightest will to restrain themselves and really work for the benefit of the people instead of looking for fame and fortune. They must recognize that words are a very powerful weapon and dangerous if used for bad purposes.

When a recognized leader says "white", then all his followers say white; when he shouts "red", then it is red. Without asking why it is red or white. So in my mind, the wrong way of using words, especially strong words, has created this situation.

Ambon was once a peaceful and happy area, then came what are known as provocateurs, about 300 people (not detected by any intelligence body, although the number is quite big. Why ?), with enough knowledge of mass psychology, talking and whispering and Ambon explodes.

In West Kalimantan the situation was calm and under control. Then, again, mysterious people started their whispering operation and West Kalimantan exploded and resulted in a complete change of people's minds and feelings. I saw pictures in Asiaweek of teenagers parading happily around town with chopped off heads and ears.

This happens only because they are infected by wrong strong words. Religious differences have been there for decades; social differences have been there for decades; ethnic differences have been there for decades. If these are the real reasons, then why did they have a peaceful and orderly period before this? My answer to this is because no wrong, strong words were used by leaders who wanted to see their names on television, printed in the newspapers or broadcasted by the radio stations.

In May 1998 we had troubles in Glodok. Shops were looted and burned, girls and women were raped. Those shops have been there for decades and the Chinese have existed for hundreds of years. Why then this sudden explosion. The reasons are the same as I have mentioned above.

So what can we learn from all of this? I ask and appeal to all people who consider themselves national leaders and are eying positions in the government to think twice or three times before saying anything, and keep the happiness of the common people in mind 24 hours a day.

Why is it necessary for a leader to say there will be clashes in five places, saying: "I know this, but I cannot reveal this because it is a secret." As a nationalist, everything you know which can help law enforcement units keep the peace should be reported, so they can prepare themselves to deal with it.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta