Plight of Batak reverends

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