Let's be more confident

Let's be more confident

With its new antiterrorism regulations, Indonesia has vowed to be tougher against all kinds of terror. President Megawati Soekarnoputri confirmed Indonesia's stance against terrorism at the APEC meeting in Mexico last week.

At home Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is in charge of coordinating the effort to deal with terror-related affairs. Now that several people have been detained in terror-related cases, there is no reason for other countries to question Indonesia's determination in crushing terrorism. But it is obvious that Indonesia's willingness to deal with terrorism relates to the policies of other countries, which have frequently urged Indonesia to be more aggressive on terrorism.

The government's moves were done in hopes of mending the tourist industry and to encourage investors to return -- in short, more revenue.

It will take time for these measures to bear fruit. Other countries' pressures against Indonesia, such as their ban on their citizens from visiting Indonesia, plays a significant role in the process of our economic recovery.

The recent calamity and foreign pressures against the country should have made all layers of society united. With more confidence, we must be able to stand up to rebuild the country. We should not beg other countries to withdraw their travel bans (for their citizens). Let's release ourselves from our dependence on other countries and boost domestic solidarity.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta