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