Loss of self-reliance
Loss of self-reliance
From Republika
As a son of the nation, I was caught by surprise when reading the Bisik-Bisik (Whispering) column in Malaysia's Utusan daily saying that President Abdurrahman Wahid had installed an adviser of American-Jewish descent. It seems that the policies of the government are not free from foreign intervention.
Indonesia has earned international renown for its heroism and courage in dispelling colonial rulers. Today, however, there is a new type of colonialism, which is being devised by a nation claiming to be the world's police and the champion of human rights. Does this nation ever realize that colonialism wearing the mask of a hero continues to infiltrate all our important sectors?
Indonesians who have traveled around the world for the last dozens of years have said that there used to be a time when Indonesians would proudly say they were Indonesians. Why? The then national leader, Bung Karno, upheld the nation's dignity on every occasion. Now we are "ashamed" of being Indonesian simply because the dignity of our state leaders, which serves as a mirror of our national pride to other nations, has dimmed. They have let the IMF interfere with their affairs. They have subjected themselves to the pressure disguised as "economic aid" from the IMF and the champion of human rights. Where has the spirit of self-reliance gone, which was once considered the true nature of our nation?
In region comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), East Asia and Australia, Indonesia, so it seems to me, is a country endowed with the richest natural resources and the largest natural gas deposits. However, after being independent for over 50 years, we still haven't been able to fully process this great natural wealth. Do we lack experts or have we really lost our nationalism following the economic crisis that has hit our country?
Security in the country is in poor condition while the security apparatus has lost the people's trust. The government's lack of firmness in dealing with violent acts now rampant in the regions has led to national disintegration. Showing leniency to one region will only tempt others to follow suit. If this phenomenon is allowed to go unchecked, it is feared that every year we will lose another province. In other words, in the five years of President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration we are very likely to lose five provinces.
The signing of an "armistice" with the gang of security disturbers in Aceh is a backward step in an effort to create stability in the region. "The People's Congress" of Irian Jaya is also one of the designs by colonial powers to subject Indonesia to a new type of colonialism. We have to be alert about this matter. It is enough for us to lose just the province of East Timor.
During the Dutch colonial period, the colonial power could do virtually anything to our country. Now the same thing is being done in a more sophisticated, but at the same time deadlier manner. May God the Almighty always guide our national leaders to make them always see the importance of national unity and to always take great pride in being Indonesian.
SUHAILI
Jakarta