Foreign words

Foreign words

From Tiras

Indonesia has been free from colonialism for 50 years. The President wishes to get rid of the remnants of the colonial influence, including the abolishment of the usage of foreign words for names of shops, products, and also some related institutions, and change them all into Bahasa Indonesia.

Names like Ciputra Group, Lippo Bank and President Hotel, should be changed into the Indonesian language to reflect higher nationalism. The use of our national heroes like Gajah Mada, Hayam Wuruk and others for names of plazas, amusement centers has also invited controversy.

As a sovereign country we should uphold the values of the Youth Pledge declared on Oct. 28. We do not want colonialism to dominate again, including the usage of language.

However, I am still concerned about the existence of foreign terminologies in government and non-governmental institutions like: Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Center for Policy Studies, Center for Information and Development Studies, and many other names of bureaus, courses and educational agencies. Are they going to change them?

ZAENAL JAENUDIN

Jakarta