'Independence Day is merely ceremonial'

'Independence Day is merely ceremonial'

The country is preparing to commemorate the 58th anniversary of
Independence on Aug. 17. Many people are busy with activities to
welcome the anniversary. However, some city residents have
expressed grievances over the atmosphere of uncertainty,
particularly following last Tuesday's deadly blast in the
capital. It seems ironic that the country remains prone to
instability, despite having gained independence. The Jakarta Post
sought their response on the issue.

Aminah, 52, is a sidewalk vendor of soft drinks in Slipi, West
Jakarta. She lives in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, with her
husband and three children:

I get sad, remembering my late father who passed away years
ago. He used to be an Indonesian fighter who struggled for
independence.

I'm sure if he were still alive he'd be badly disappointed at
the current state of affairs, in which corruption and insecurity
are so rampant.

My father remained poor, even though he had many opportunities
to become rich as he was a military officer. He never resorted to
corruption, regardless of his poverty. I'm proud of him.

But now, the country's independence has lost its meaning. It's
just a ceremonial commemoration.

Life's getting harder in this so-called independent country,
let alone for people in the low-income bracket like me. It seems
as though my quality of life hasn't improved at all.

We continue to have to live with faceless oppressors out to
destroy the country's unity. The bombings are an obvious
indication that we are not yet free of such evil. This is more or
less the same as when we faced the Dutch colonists.

In a way, Independence Day still has meaning for me because I
remember how hard my father fought for it years ago. At least
it's still meaningful to his daughter.

Rusdi, 21, is a sidewalk vendor of second-hand books in Taman
Anggrek, West Jakarta. He lives nearby with his relatives:

I'm totally convinced that Independence Day has lost its
meaning, particularly for city residents.

The daily struggle to survive takes up most people's time:
There's no time left to recall the commemoration.

The absence nowadays of secure areas, plus the existence of
terror acts and widespread crime are really a contradiction of
what we would regard as independence.

I wonder how we can even think that we live in an independent
country!

I think that high-ranking officials and the current government
are to blame for damaging the country and causing the hardship of
people on low incomes.

I feel that Independence Day is just a day of celebration, but
then it will soon be forgotten amid the hardships of life.

However, I believe that the celebration is still meaningful
for villagers, who mostly organize a variety of traditional
competitions for the day. It's only they who still respect the
commemoration.

Heri, 30, is a vendor of siomay (a kind of dim sum) in Tanah
Abang, Central Jakarta. His wife and daughter live in
Tasikmalaya, West Java:

I don't know what to say about the commemoration of
Independence Day now. On one hand the country achieved freedom
due to the struggles of our fighters.

On the other, we have not yet achieved a better standard of
living, despite the independent status of the country.

There are still so many people living with poverty,
unemployment and insecurity.

I reckon that life is getting difficult, especially my life
and that of other poor people trying to earn a living in the
capital.

Besides, terrorist remain free to carry out their horrible
acts to threaten every innocent person here. I'm afraid of the
possibility of other bombings.

I just wonder why we must live in fear all the time, quite
apart from widespread bomb threats and the recent blast in the
city.

It's ironic, isn't it? Here we are, commemorating Independence
Day, yet at the same time everyone feels insecure due to fear of
terrorism!

-- Leo Wahyudi S.