Nonindigenous students

It seems unlucky to be nonindigenous Indonesians. We cannot forget their losses and suffering (physically and mentally) during the mid-May riots.

There was article in Pos Kota, July 18, reporting that there is a limit on the number of nonindigenous students permitted to study in government higher learning institutions. In the report, the minister of education and culture said: "Structurally, the students hailing from the nonindigenous group are superior. This will pose a danger to indigenous students to the effect that the indigenous students will be pushed aside by their nonindigenous mates."

For Indonesia to become a prosperous country it will need professionals and qualified people, disrespecting their ethnicity and religion. How humiliated they must feel to be refused permission to study in their motherland, a place where they were born, have grown up and have a desire to learn!

I wish the nonindigenous to be mentally strong in this matter.

RITAWATI WIHARDJA

Jakarta