Our country should not decline

Our country should not decline

From Kompas

After more than 50 years of independence Indonesia now has many intellectuals and thinkers. The situation is clearly different from conditions 60 to 65 years ago. At the time whatever a leader said was trusted and accepted.

The situation has now changed. Everything must be studied and analyzed to see if it is logical and true. Discussions and differences in opinion are common.

Now many politicians having different views from the government, must stand trial. I do not know them. Trying them in court requires caution because although we are independent and free in implementing our policies, we also have relations with the rest of the world.

Those countries are also free to continue, reduce or stop cooperating with Indonesia. The international world knows the politicians with views that differ from the government. It also know who the political detainees are.

This situation must be stooped before our country declines like several other Asian nations which want to join ASEAN but have not yet succeeded.

Democracy, human rights and environmental matters have become the focus of world attention.

In Indonesia, it is expected that corruption and collusion can be eliminated indiscriminately and that progress is made in the implementation of democracy, human rights and environmental policies.

F. PUDIYANTO SURADIBROTO

Jakarta