Nation's coming of age

I am writing in reference to the much-awaited event -- the commemoration of 52 years of our Indonesian Republic. History evidences its striding into the 52nd year of independence, but the years taken to commemorate this event have done little to enhance maturity of the Indonesian Republic. The nation solemnly declares having built a democracy and establishing good lives for the multitude. The nation is now on its way to celebrate 52 years of independence, even as the good lives of our fellow Indonesians were lost during the recent general elections.

Our nation was mourning the loss of people, and Indonesians everywhere bottled up shame, anger and emotional grief for the sake of the elections that just went by. This happened because the elections were considered a frightening attraction more than anything else. It did become one of the most frightening episodes in the lives of the Indonesian people, and the misery caused in the general elections was a political education in itself.

Tax-paying citizens were more dismayed than disappointed as the political parties and security agencies failed to anticipate the problems and overcome them, and fear and anxiety remained unabated.

The chilling disturbances that never seemed to subside in time left the Indonesian people feeling restless, terribly worried and imprisoned in their own cities.

Even though the campaigning may seem vital, it should teach the parties that arrange these campaigns to follow in the step of democratic nations who exercise control over campaigning with exactness.

H. IFRODY SUKANTO

Jakarta