Friendly nation

Friendly nation

From Sinar Pagi

President Soeharto said recently that the major challenges facing the country are human rights, openness, democracy and the environment. These issues can be used to create instability within the country, which serve to obstruct the national development and weaken our national resilience.

As a lecturer of traditional law in the Indonesian Christian University, I would like to ponder the meaning and significance of the President's statement. Obviously, the President is making every effort to raise the living standard of the people and eradicate poverty.

The president also emphasized that differences existing in the society must be made a big issue, because the nation's plurality has been accepted as a moral force as indicated by the motto: Unity in Diversity. In this case we do not have to be doubtful of the unity of the people because we have inherited these differences from our ancestors and they will continue to exist a long as the republic lives.

Indonesian people are friendly, polite and sensitive. Reactions that emerge in the society reflect the people's democratic attitude which serves as a correction to undemocratic practices.

SABAR HUTAURUK

Jakarta