Firmer attitude of govt needed
Firmer attitude of govt needed
I read in the newspapers of April 27, 2002 an article about
Indonesian food self-sufficiency. President Megawati expressed
that she is rather annoyed looking at the food situation in
Indonesia with its 200 million population, but is not yet
independent in domestic food supply, while China with 1.2 billion
people is self-sufficient in food. And on top of that it is
already experiencing a surplus ready for export. I am ashamed,
she said. I hope that Indonesia can be self-sufficient, which is
quite possible especially if the whole nation works hard in
cooperation with the government.
The Jakarta Post of April 27, copying an article of The
Evening Standard, reported the arrest of 20-year-old Harris
Sutresna, the son of the outgoing Indonesian ambassador in
London, Nana Sutresna, during a police raid in a flat in Harkney
on March 28. He was found in possession of crack cocaine, which
is categorized as a class A drug. But Harris was released on
grounds of diplomatic immunity. No one at the embassy in London
was available for comment, which is understandable because they
are ashamed, because this arrest will tarnish Indonesia's image,
which is already low. I too am ashamed.
On law enforcement, I can understand the attitude of the law
enforcement units, because sometimes the government uses two
different standards. In Aceh, for example, it is always talks and
dialogues and in spite of the Strategic Army Reserved Command's
(Kostrad) statements that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) is a
separatist movement and should be annihilated. And that the
government continues to take a hesitant approach, trying to talk
and have dialogues which is shameful, and only prolongs the
suffering of the common people.
The rebels have several times expressed their position, that
they only will talk on the basis of separation from the Republic.
Be firm for once and not try to use international statements as a
reason to hesitate. If for instance the Swedish government
supports Indonesia's integrity, why don't we ask the Swedish
government to expel those GAM leaders living comfortably in their
country as illegal immigrants. I am really ashamed of the
hesitant approach of my government.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta