Lack of stringency?

I don't think it is necessary at this time for me to comment on Masli Arman's gibberish (Ethnic Chinese at fault for riots, July 30) since many other readers have already provided an elegant refutation of his arguments. But I would like to say that I think Farid Baskoro's defense of him (The right to express oneself, Aug. 4) under the pretext of freedom of expression is somewhat anachronistic. Everyone knows that the issue is not about freedom of expression.

As far as I recall, nobody has disputed Masli Arman's right to express his opinion. However many, including myself, were left aghast by his retarded reasoning and it was therefore only logical that some then questioned the editor's "lack of stringency" in screening the material prior to publication. They wondered how an article of such poor quality could ever have been printed.

Nevertheless I can see why the editor published it. At least it turns a spotlight on people like Masli Arman, whom I believe are quite prevalent in this sick society of ours, so that others can hopefully learn a lesson.

It is in the spirit of freedom of expression that anybody bold enough to present their thoughts to the public should also be responsible and accountable for them. One should be prepared to be criticized, questioned or even mocked for one's ideas, opinions and thoughts if one wants them to be heard. And Masli Arman has got his just desserts.

If you think it is quite normal for members of the dominant ethnic group to rape women belonging to an ethnic minority because some nameless person from their group insulted a member of the major ethnic group then you should be prepared to have others jump down your throat. You are entitled to your opinion, however perverted it may be, and you have the right to express it, but that does not mean that others can't criticize you for your perversion. If you tell others to shut up, in fact it is you who are violating their right to express themselves. It is in the spirit of a free press that many readers have been given the opportunity to respond.

I think, Mr. Baskoro, that you have an ulterior motive with your letter. I don't think it is freedom of the press or freedom of expression that you are concerned about. What is it? Having read many of your letters that have bashed the foreign media, expatriates in Indonesia and basically almost everything western for many years, I would like to hazard a guess at what this ulterior motive is. I think both you and Masli Arman have a common underlying paranoia and chauvinism that prompt the kind of writing you both produce.

Mr. Dean Boulding does not need to explain why Masli Arman's article was drivel because anyone with the slightest intelligence and integrity can see that for themselves. Nevertheless Mr. Boulding is entitled to object to the quality of any piece of writing in the Post because he is a paying customer.

I agree with you that The Jakarta Post has been fair. That's why I decided to resubscribe after momentarily turning to another English newspaper after the "extreme" price increase. Keep up the good work, JP!

RAHAYU RATNANINGSIH

Jakarta