Plight of Batak reverends

I am extremely disturbed by your headline news in the June 10, 1994 issue of The Jakarta Post about the plights of Batak reverends.

As a foreign-born and foreign-educated Batak who spent most of his prime life in foreign companies, I shared no or little affinity to the Batak community and HKBP, being non-HKBP myself. However, after the involvement of a third non-HKBP party to establish the leadership of that church some time ago, I began to feel concern. And your news has extremely frightened me!

The Batak reverends should not contemplate seeking asylum in foreign countries! Asylums are for losers and lunatics only. I believe Bataks are fighters! A book Return of the tiger recounts the life of a brave Batak fighter during World War II, who smuggled British housewives and children from Singapore and Malaysia to Australia under the very noses of the alien invaders from the north. A book Southeast Asia: Time out of hand gave a vivid account about the Bataks as a highly intelligent and brave race. And, during the establishment of the New Order, the Bataks had a big share in the fights. So, why run away?

I urge the Batak reverends to stand up and fight for their rights. They could contact the worldwide Christian brotherhood. Some of them could pull strings all over!

BENNETT N.B. SILALAHI

Jakarta