Insulting other ethnic groups

Insulting other ethnic groups

From Republika

It has been very interesting to watch the ongoing trial of Tommy Soeharto on Metro TV. One of the hearings I found most interesting was when the widow of the late Supreme Justice Syafiuddin Kartasasmita testified before the court. I would like to receive further clarification from Ibu Iwah Setyawati, who, in the hearing on April 24, 2002, said: "Despite my Manado looks, I am not materialistic". Did she mean that the Manadonese people are materialistic? As far as I know, some laymen think that being "materialistic" has bad connotations.

Perhaps Ibu Iwah has forgotten the nation. Indonesia is now facing great difficulties, namely national disintegration. Our founding fathers made every effort to unite this multi-ethnic nation, not to mention the government's determination to fight separatist movements and quell the sporadic communal clashes, which could disrupt national stability.

Ibu Iwah should know that disintegration does not occur overnight. Disintegration is a long process, and usually happens when one ethnic group looks down upon another.

O. MALUDIN

Jakarta