Nation's assets not for lease

Nation's assets not for lease

From Merdeka

I was astounded to hear media reports that an academic from
the Bandung Institute of Technology had proposed that Natuna and
Biak islands be leased out for 50 years to the United States for
their naval base and that the proposal would later be discussed
by the Indonesian Association of Engineers (PII) and the
Indonesian Association of Economists (ISEI).

I would not have been shocked if the proposal had come from a
mere layman, but it was suggested by a professor. In this case,
why are only the financial and security aspects taken into
account? Is it true that we will enjoy security in the presence
of foreign armed forces in our own country? Don't people see that
leasing out our islands to another country will just cause
trouble for us?

We may experience the following:

1. Cultural infiltration;

2. Harassment (such as occurred in Okinawa);

3. Loss of dignity.

Mere introduction of such a proposal already means losing your
self-respect or national pride. Our present university graduates,
the products of the New Order, may believe in the principle of
"Politics - No; Economy - Yes". They simply do not know which
should get priority. Well, why not an even more extreme proposal
then to lease out this republic.

It would be nice to be colonized by the United States,
wouldn't it? Everything would be taken care of; food and security
will be guaranteed. There will no longer be any clashes or
conflicts. We can just be compliant and resigned.

You all have been too materialistically comfortable all these
years. Try to fight. During this monetary crisis, lead a more
modest life. Today is the age of our World War III. Yet it is not
a war fought with guns, but one of economics.

Don't so easily sell or lease out the state's assets. It will
be difficult to get back what you have sold or leased out. Pity
our children and grandchildren. Our people are willing to lead a
life of hardship as long as the leaders are in the same boat.

MRS. IRANA

Jakarta