New hero created

New hero created

Again Singaporeans have caused emotional pain to the nationality pleas of their long time allies.

In 1968, the tiny republic hanged our two courageous soldiers, Usman and Harun, in the same prison Contemplacion was hanged.

Back then they rejected President Soeharto's appeals for a delay in execution of the two soldiers, who infiltrated Singaporean soil during Indonesia-Malaysia confrontations in the middle of 1960s.

The execution of Usman and Harun ignited Indonesians' anger throughout the country, although Premier Lee made a devotional visit to their grave in the Jakarta National Heroes Cemetery when he visited Jakarta for the first time in Soeharto's administration.

Now Usman and Harun are lionized as Indonesian national heroes, and Contemplacion was hailed as a heroine by President Ramos.

Well, we, Indonesians and Filipinos, appreciate Singapore's arrogant judicial system. But, a Filipino friend of mine said: Mga Bagong Bayani Gawa ng ibang bangsa (New heroes created by another country).

IWAN SATYANEGARA

Jakarta