Indonesia is the best

Indonesia is the best

These last few days I am a very happy man. Why? Because so many Indonesian leaders at last are encouraging the people to use Indonesian and avoid using foreign names or terms unless necessary.

Yesterday there was a declaration of war against the use of foreign names, a war unilaterally declared by the Governor of Jakarta (The Jakarta Post, Monday, April 3, 1995).

I have the feeling that educated Indonesian people feel that the use of foreign terms is a must, even though we have Indonesian equivalents, just to look educated.

But there are other things which deserve our attention. One example is, the confidence our people have in foreign doctors and foreign medical treatment. Everything foreign is labeled "good" or "excellent," while in my opinion our medical world is as good as any. I cannot blame my fellow Indonesians, who have more confidence in foreign medical treatment, because confidence in medical treatment is a very big step towards healing.

To boost confidence in our medical world, the leaders must set examples. What I see is that top leaders of Indonesia prefer to go abroad and be treated by foreign doctors -- to USA, Australia or Europe. They forget that Indonesia has capable and dedicated doctors, with modern hospitals and modern equipment. Not to mention the cost of foreign trips. Most of the complaints are about post-care. How can they improve the post-care, if they do not get the chance to treat people first?

But look, who stays in Indonesia for medical treatment? No less than our President himself. He just went to RSPAD (the military hospital) to get medical treatment and is now as healthy as an old man could be and with Allah's blessing he will enjoy a long healthy life.

I might be old-fashioned, orthodox, chauvinist, but I prefer to do it in Indonesia with Indonesians, if it is possible.

It is not only 'soklin' is the best, but, for me, Indonesia is and will remain the best.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta