Indonesians have their say on East Timor

JAKARTA (JP): The time has come for the East Timorese to decide their own fate. Will they become an independent country or will they still be part of Indonesia, but have a greater autonomy?

On Monday, the people will cast their ballot to express their decision. The Jakarta Post interviewed people about their opinions on the issue.

Eka Yunita, a psychologist who runs a non-governmental organization for social welfare and education in Jakarta:

East Timor, which has been annexed by Indonesia, benefits only the armed forces.

It (the armed forces) uses East Timor as a touchstone for military officers who want to further their careers and accelerate their rank promotions.

The cost of keeping East Timor as a part of Indonesia is bigger than the benefits that may result, if any.

It is like nurturing an adopted daughter who has grown up and wants to separate. Why should we hesitate to let her free and choose her own life?

Anton Saksono is the owner of fish exporter PT Lovina Laras:

The autonomy proposal as offered by the government of Indonesia is the best choice for both parties. However, the government should not force the East Timorese otherwise if they chose to separate from Indonesia.

The government should compromise to avoid further unbearable conflicts, which could mar the reputation of the whole of Indonesia as a civilized nation.

The deteriorating image of Indonesia as a violent country has changed the way people of other nations have treated me when I was abroad doing business.

If I lose their hospitality, I will also lose business.

Agoeng Djoko Pitono, director of engineering consultancy firm PT Manna Protama:

Whatever the result of the ballot, there are consequences East Timorese will have to take. The new development will impact people's social and economic realms.

For years the East Timorese have been neglected. They lack human resources and infrastructure.

Yes, they are part of this nation, yet they have the right to be independent. Well, I think we should leave the decision to them.

I don't believe that if East Timor becomes independent this will encourage separatist movements in other provinces, unless ... there is another country involved in the matter.

Iman Taufik, Vice Chairman Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin):

The autonomy proposal is better as the overhead to run the province would be covered by the government. According to the new Intergovernmental Fiscal Balance Law, the East Timorese can still retain 85 percent of their natural resources.

If they choose independence, nobody will pay for the overhead. They can not depend fully on the UN or other countries.

Independence is expensive. The cost of building a country's infrastructure is great, such as printing its own currency and building its own government.

East Timor has been subsidized by the government for all these years owing to the fact that it has not been profitable so far. The Timor Gap has not been exploited and coffee plantations in the area have collapsed.

A mistake that the government made for all these years is allowing too much military intervention in business deals as well as in other aspects.

I think other provinces should have autonomy, too, but that also depends on the capabilities of each province.

If Aceh and Irian Jaya were given autonomy and stern measures were taken against people who have slaughtered and tortured people in the provinces all these years, I don't think they would demand independence.

Ramadhan HA, co-director of the Institute for Community and Development, a Jakarta NGO:

It is a big loser if we retain East Timor.

What has Indonesia gained in the 24 years of integration? Where is the so-called oil, if any?

East Timor is a barren and arid land ... so we have to spend much money to feed them (East Timorese).

It's better to explore wells and exploit and cultivate natural resources in other provinces and share it fairly between local and central governments.

About the possibility of other provinces rebelling for freedom, it is the consequence of the offer made by President Habibie for East Timor.

Bambang Trisulo, a chairman of the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo):

I think the East Timorese should accept the autonomy proposal because Indonesia has made a huge effort to improve the quality of life, economy, education and may other things of the East Timorese in the past 24 years.

What has happened in East Timor, the separatist movement and the strong demand for independence, has proven that the East Timorese feel that the government's approach in the past 24 years has been unfair.

Although I do not have any East Timorese friends, I would feel disappointed and embarrassed by the separation of East Timor.

Of course an independent East Timor will encourage separatist movements in other troubled provinces. That's why autonomy should be extended to other provinces, to avoid jealousy.

Fadli Zon, is a Crescent Star Party research division executive and a graduate of Russian Studies at the University of Indonesia:

I think the best choice for the East Timorese is to remain within the republic. Even though there were mistakes made in the past, we have come to see the issue as part of our problem, as one country.

It is still difficult to say that the ballot will be free and fair in light of the many instances of injustice, for example, in the registration of local observers.

In comparison to Aceh and Irian Jaya, East Timor has had more (attention) and the largest budget. However, the differences between the two sides have remained unsettled and both seem equally determined.

Habibie's government has no empathy toward (maintaining) the integrity of the republic. This will lead to a domino effect.

It is fine if (wanting a separation) is purely the will of the people concerned, but in the case of East Timor there has been too much foreign interference.

I think regardless of who wins, East Timor will still be a trouble spot given the long history of violence.

What should the new government do? ... There is no choice but to respect the result of the ballot.

The government should provide autonomy to all provinces.

It is still better to remain one large country rather than becoming several small countries.

Bambang Haryanto, 29, a staffer at Bekasi Penitentiary and a graduate of the Correctional Science Academy:

If the East Timorese prefer to abandon Indonesia and establish their own state, I strongly support their move.

East Timor is like having a small stone in a shoe. It doesn't make a tremendous impact to the country, but it becomes something that weighs on citizens' minds. So please feel free to let it go.

I prefer it to be released from our grip since it has nothing to offer.

The future government should choose independence for East Timorese because they will always be a burden to this country.

Regarding a possible separation of other provinces following a result of independence for East Timor, I don't think other provinces will also attempt to separate from Indonesia. East Timor is culturally different from other provinces.

Mardiyono, an official of Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's morgue:

Who is Habibie, and who dares to let it separate from us? If East Timor separates from Indonesia, other provinces will be encouraged to ask for the same opportunity. Then what will happen to this country?

East Timor should stay with Indonesia. It would be funny to see a small foreign country in the middle of Indonesia.

The new government should think of a better way to deal with the problem.

To stop the separatist movement, the government should pay more attention to areas outside Java, instead of offering special autonomy.

Basically I do not agree with the ballot.

Imam Ahmad, director of the Institute of Research, Education and Information of Social and Economic Affairs (LP3ES):

It is not what they will choose, but how they will accept whatever the result will be.

Surya Tjandra, a lawyer at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute:

I think East Timorese should reject Indonesia's autonomy proposal. East Timorese have been suffering for years. Thousands of people have been killed during the 24 years.

If the ballot runs honestly without any intimidation, East Timorese will reject the autonomy proposal.

I have many East Timorese friends from when I was studying law at the University of Indonesia. They seemed unhappy with the integration with Indonesian. They are very poor.

I'll be glad if East Timor separates from Indonesia.

I'm not sure that the separation of East Timor would trigger separatist movements in other provinces. It's different.

Marni, a 22-year-old student of law at the University of Indonesia:

It would be better if East Timor remains with Indonesia. With greater autonomy, people can manage their own province at first. Afterwards, they can judge how well they can manage themselves. If they feel capable, then they should take the option for independence. If not, they should remain with Indonesia.

Has the Indonesian government been right or fair in its approach to the East Timor question these past 24 years? I am not sure about that since I am not familiar with the history of East Timor.

I think the special autonomy powers offered to the East Timorese should also be extended to other provinces in the country. But we should introduce such autonomy to other provinces with step-by-step measures.

I agree with the theory that an independent East Timor will encourage separatist movements in other provinces, because they will feel that they too deserve a referendum. Just like during the early reform days when suddenly everyone wanted to form political parties.

Christiawan, a student from Brawijaya University in Malang:

I do not agree with independence for East Timor since it will be colonialized by another country as soon as it separates from Indonesia. Personally, I think the proindependence group is a bunch of arrogant people who think that they know everything.

The ballot and offering of special autonomy will also encourage other troubled provinces, such as Aceh and Irian Jaya, to ask for the same chance and the Indonesian government should avoid that.

East Timor is geographically a part of Indonesia so it should stay with Indonesia. Hopefully, if a new government is formed, it will stop East Timor's separation.

Yayat Supriatna, a journalist: I think the East Timorese should accept the autonomy proposal. I also think they will. I am optimistic about it.

The Indonesian government has used improper measures by using the security approach. The approach is very excessive because it does not consider people's needs.

I have a friend from East Timor but we haven't met for a long time.

I think, even if they choose independence, the government should respect the result of the ballot, whatever it will be.

There is no necessity to form a special area of autonomy in other provinces, because East Timor is a special case with a special history -- except maybe for Aceh. Aceh is already a special province, even though the government has never given it rights as a special region.

Should the East Timorese choose to be independent, it would not encourage separatist movements in other provinces.

Yanti Sukamdani Hardjoprakoso, head of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Hotel & Restaurant Association.

Why should we let East Timor go while it has long been a part of us?

About the approach, I think the government has done a tremendous effort. I know that some may think that East Timor will only be a burden to the state budget, but it's a consequence.

I'm not an expert in politics, to analyze whether or not the move to include East Timor in 1975 was a good judgment. Maybe at that time it was important that the country took it in based on the defense and security considerations. It might be seen as a strategic border area. On that base, I don't think it was a wrong move.

Mr. X, a civilian security guard at the Jakarta Administration Office, who spoke on the condition of anonymity:

I think the East Timorese should choose not to separate from the Indonesian government because it will be more difficult for them to build their hometown under a new government.

From another point of view, the blood of Indonesian troops struggling for East Timor's integration will also be meaningless if the area is then separated from the country.

Moreover, I have also some East Timorese friends who have become part of the country. Should they become foreigners then?

The government's decision to give East Timorese self- determination will, indeed, trigger other disputed areas like Aceh and Irian Jaya to demand the same treatment.

But I think if the government has a good approach toward all regions, separation won't occur.

Muchlas Suseno, lecturer at the Jakarta State University:

The most important thing in the so-called East Timor referendum is the process of fair play. The result is number two.

Whatever the result -- freedom or autonomy -- could cause worse trouble if the self-determination vote is not conducted fairly and transparently.

Other provinces such as Aceh, West Irian and maybe Ambon should learn from the East Timor case and boost their demands for greater autonomy or even freedom.

The civilian government and the armed forces must have anticipated the repercussions.

It is a challenge for the coming administration to ensure good governance -- a legitimate, clean, fair and democratic government.

Julie Indahrini, a reporter from Gamma weekly:

I think the ballot is the best thing that can happen in East Timor. I don't have East Timorese friends but personally regret that they have had to endure decades of military oppression committed by both groups (the military and the separatists), but now they can decide their own future.

Should the East Timorese chose independence, it will provoke disintegration in other troubled provinces.

A wide autonomy option should be implemented in every province throughout Indonesia to encourage smoother development in every province for the welfare of its people.

F.X. Sugiharto Gunawan, owner of an advertising agency:

The East Timor people are now divided into two groups. Those who have been neglected and those who have received favor from the central government. Of course the neglected people will opt for independence, and I am afraid that the Aug. 30 ballot will result in an independent East Timor.

The government has long been treating the East Timor people unfairly and ignoring the welfare of the people. And the government has not been honest with the people.

If the government was honest with the East Timor people, I think they will choose autonomy status.

I am afraid that an independent East Timor will trigger other provinces like Aceh and Irian Jaya to also demand independence because the two provinces have also suffered unfairness for quite a long time.

Mario Ximenis, 31, an employee at state-owned housing company Perum Perumnas in East Jakarta.

As a native East Timorese I feel very sad that I cannot participate in the direct ballot, but I do not have the documents required by the UN.

I was born in Laga district in Baucau in June 1968. I was separated from my parents, my two sisters and one brother in 1980 because my village was torn by war. I followed a Navy battalion and worked as a cook. One of the soldiers then adopted me as his son and brought me to Jakarta in 1980. I later converted to Islam. My wife is Javanese.

I cannot imagine needing a passport to visit my home. For me, integration is the only choice for East Timor. We only have stones, how we could we otherwise survive?

But I also know that my brothers there suffer a lot. When I was with the military in Baucau I often saw how villagers were killed and girls were raped by soldiers.

I hope the East Timorese, especially my sisters and brothers, will choose the best for their future.

Richard Sam Bera, a national swimmer and a graduate of the School of Economy and Political Science at Arizona State University, the United States:

If East Timor was independent, it would be like a box of chocolates: You never know what you're gonna get. I think it's like opening Pandora's box. I tend to agree with the theory that an independent East Timor would encourage other provinces to detach from Indonesia. At least they'll try, however small their efforts.

But if East Timor wants to be independent, we have to respect that.

I will wait and see the results of the vote. My only concern is East Timor could be used as a tool to destabilize Southeast Asia. Indonesia is the biggest piece in the region's stability.

Putu Suasta, a Denpasar-based sociologist:

We have to accept whatever the result is. If the pro- independence group wins, we have to accept it without any grudge. Indonesia even has to offer assistance as it is unlikely that East Timor will be able to be really independent right away.

On the other hand, if the pro-integration group wins, Indonesia has to accept the supporters of the pro-independence group and the Falintil. We have to treat them like brothers and sisters.

Hendri Ridho ST, a businessman living in Medan:

I'd like to see East Timor as a part of Indonesia. When it was under Portugal, it got nothing. Since it joined Indonesia in the 1970s, it has seen an improvement in development.

East Timor wants to be separated from Indonesia because of the central government's mismanagement. The government has failed to empower the region.

Hadi Prayitno, a 49-year-old parking attendant in Yogyakarta:

Don't let East Timor separate from Indonesia. We have made every effort to keep it, and now why should we release it?

What's more, if it becomes a U.S. army base, it will be very dangerous.

The ballot is good to prevent civil war. The problem is, we should not let it become the base of American soldiers.

I am proud to see East Timor as a part of Indonesia because Indonesia covers a very wide area...

Kusar Bailusy, a political observer from Hasanuddin University, Ujungpandang:

The prointegration group will make every effort to keep East Timor as a part of Indonesia. However, if they break the law Indonesia will face a hard job.

If prointegration wins, this will help Habibie in the upcoming General Session of the People Consultative Assembly.

From the very beginning, Habibie's decision to hold a ballot was a big mistake. Since 1945, East Timor has rightfully been a part of Indonesia, while since 1976, it has legally been a part of Indonesia. (team)