National integrity

National integrity

From Media Indonesia

Political life in Indonesia today doesn't seem to be inspired by the spirit of unity our founding fathers upheld 77 years ago. This spirit of unity could be related to the STOVIA movement of (medical) students called Boedi Oetomo, which was considered pioneer of the national awakening.

Today the government officials at all levels seem to have lost their sense of integrity. We do not know why. What is evident today is the fact that disintegration is strengthening.

We should look to the past experience if we want to leap forward with a more prudent attitude. At the initial stage we lost East Timor. Later the situation in Papua deteriorated. Although special autonomy has been granted to Papua and the province has been split into more than one province, the demand for separation from the Indonesian republic is still there.

The Youth Pledge issued in October 1928 represents only a small record in the nation's history, but its spirit may continue to inspire us to maintain our national integrity.

YANWAR PRIBADI Serang, Banten