Minister not impressed with Indonesian youth

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat berated yesterday what he called the lethargic character of Indonesia's youth.

"To be honest, if we observe the conduct of youth and the students, or the younger generation in general, it is not the behavior befitting a developed and independent nation," Edi said.

Addressing the closing day of a seminar entitled "Reflection on and Projections Regarding Nation- and Character-Building in Indonesia," Edi said that the deficiencies in question threatened to inhibit the nation's progress.

"If the trend is not checked, then in the very near future our country will be left behind by the other Southeast Asian nations," he said.

Other countries in the region may not yet have acquired the same rate of economic development, but their "dedication and desire for development might be better than ours", he said.

The two-day seminar was held by Bakom-PKB, a government- sponsored agency charged with promoting social integration between the country's various ethnic groups.

Ethnic Chinese are the largest group among Indonesia's non- indigenous ethnic minorities.

Edi said the country's youth did not appreciate the value of time, typified in the jam karet (elastic hour) culture prevalent in Indonesian society.

Jam karet is a popular adage for tardiness among Indonesians.

According to Edi, the work output of Indonesia's younger generation leaves a lot to be desired.

"(Their) productivity is not pleasing, while their consumerist nature is quite worrying," he said.

The retired general said that the Armed Forces could probably help correct these lethargic tendencies by instilling discipline in the young people.

He added that the finer qualities identified with the non- indigenous population should be emulated by the indigenous youth.

"The non-indigenous population should influence others with their diligent, efficient and studious work ethics," Edi said.

Banks

Speaking of the disparities in wealth in society, Edi said it remained a source of social envy which could eventually threaten national security.

Indonesia's ethnic Chinese are recognized for their entrepreneurial skills and are widely considered to be the main benefactors of Indonesia's economic success.

Their economic wealth has often led to resentment among the indigenous population, which regards itself to be economically less fortunate than their ethnic Chinese countrymen.

"A naked truth which cannot be denied is that government banks, followed by private banks, greatly prefer non-indigenous Indonesian debtors, thus making them as big as they are now," Edi said.

In the face of the underlying tensions flowing from economic disparities, Edi lauded the military's role as a sort of mediator.

"The Armed Forces chief function is as an absorber in conflict situations, so that it does not ascend to the surface," he said. He added: "ABRI's credibility in the nation is crucial in maintaining a sense of security.

He said that the Armed Forces were often in a difficult position, since they were perceived by the poor majority as a protector of the rich. (mds)