'I don't feel independent in this country'

'I don't feel independent in this country'

Everyone wants to be independent. But while the country
celebrates Independence Day on Aug. 17, some people still feel
unliberated from the heavy burdens of life. They shared their
dreams with The Jakarta Post.

Tiar, a mother of three, works as a park sweeper at the
University of Indonesia. She lives in Bojonggede, Depok, West
Java. Her husband, who used to be a private bank employee in
Jakarta, was recently laid off:

Independence Day is sentimental to me, because I take the time
to think back to the founding heroes of this country.

But if I reflect deeper, I have never felt independent to be
honest. I am still a sweeper and have not progressed much in
life.

I have a dream that the country's leaders are willing to
improve the standard of living for poor people like me.

As a matter of fact, I have many dreams, but would it be
possible for them to come true for a woman like me? I wonder.

I hope that the basic needs for living here become affordable
at much lower prices.

Yudha, 19, has been working as a cleaning service attendant at
the rectorial building of the University of Indonesia for a
couple of months. He lives in Depok, West Java:

I don't think I live in an independent country. I have never
felt freedom here, so Independence Day doesn't hold any special
significance for me.

I always wonder at the irony of living in an independent
country, but having to fight hard to make a living, and not even
a decent living. Let's just say for survival.

I think Independence Day would be more meaningful if the
standard of living continued to improve.

My dream is that everyone will be able to find a job more
easily and the cost of living will be cheaper and more
affordable, even for low income people. But when will my dreams
come true?

Christina Sudarwati, 34, is a junior and senior high school
teacher at Sekolah Global Jaya in Bintaro, Tangerang. She has
been teaching since 1992 when she moved to Jakarta from her
hometown of Klaten, Central Jakarta. She now resides with her son
in Serpong:

We will hold a flag-hoisting ceremony and several games in
celebration of Independence Day at school.

But personally I don't feel that we are celebrating our
Independence Day. How can we feel independent if we always live
in fear of crime wherever we go?

Generally, I think politicians and country leaders have
spoiled the meaning of independence through their wrongdoings and
selfishness.

Perhaps it would be better to let a foreign country
colonialize this country to make everyone here more disciplined
and smart. People say we live in an independent country, but, in
fact, we live without freedom in many ways.

I just hope that every person appreciates the meaning of
freedom in order to build mutual trust and respect. Then
Independence Day would be more meaningful for us.

Ali, 24, is a student majoring in physics at the University of
Indonesia (UI). He comes from Banten, West Java:

Independence Day has a little meaning left in it, and that is
to remind us of past heroic struggles.

Unfortunately, the current government is similar to the past
imperialists, which oppressed the country for centuries. The fact
is our government frequently ignores the public's interests and
the poor people in this country.

I agree that the country is sovereign, but it still fails to
respect people's rights. In that case, the country has not yet
gained its independence.

If our country wants a real taste of freedom, education should
be at the forefront of continuous development. That's what I
dream of at the moment.

-- Leo Wahyudi S