Issues that invite risks

Issues that invite risks

According to President Soeharto, in carrying out nation building we inevitably have to face challenges and obstructions both from within and without. One potential negative situation has been caused by the economic globalization and penetration of foreign culture with the support of its sophisticated technology and information systems.

Technological advancements have made the planet shrink. So, any issue which emerges in one country will promptly reach and develop in another, especially if the issue has a political as well as social implications. The issues of Human Rights, openness, democratization and environment, for example, have been intensively voiced by the developed countries since the late 1980s. At the same time these became a heated issues in developing countries as well.

In fact, all these issues have been included in our national development, although they are seen in different setting with what is commonly practiced in developed countries. Surely enforcement of these values in an unconstitutional and democratic manner will only create dangerous situations.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta