Soeharto invokes nationalism for development
JAKARTA (JP): Amid much pomp and circumstance, President Soeharto proclaimed May 20 the beginning of the second National Awakening to take Indonesia on a path towards a just and prosperous nation.
During a celebration to mark the 86th anniversary of National Awakening Day on Friday, Soeharto said the lofty goals of the second long-term development program which began on April 1 would not be attainable without a common national vision.
"If the first National Awakening in 1908 was intended to establish a free, united and sovereign nation, then the second National Awakening is intended to strengthen the nation's development so that the objectives of justice and prosperity are realized," Soeharto said in a ceremony at the Jakarta Hilton International Convention Center.
Indonesia must stand as an equal among the community of nations and cannot remain in the lower ranks, he stressed at the ceremony that was colored by patriotic songs and dances to recall how far the nation had progressed since the founding of Boedi Oetomo, the first organization that resembled a nationalist movement when Indonesia was a Dutch colony, on May 20, 1908.
"That was an historic moment that evoked awareness among the Indonesian people that we could only free ourselves from colonial chains by using methods appropriate at the time and to unite as a nation."
Soeharto said Indonesia must strive to invigorate its sense of nationalism, both to ensure unity among the different groups of people in the country, and to meet the challenges posed by global changes.
Upheavals
He said that the lack of a national vision had led to other nations experiencing prolonged upheavals.
"We cannot envisage what would have become of this nation if we had tolerated the seeds of separatism. Maybe this nation would have been broken up into small and weak states that would have been easy prey for others," he said. "We cannot imagine what would have happened to this nation if we had not had a national vision."
The second national development program, which spans 25 years, will be a time for Indonesia not only to catch up with other more advanced countries, but also to redistribute the fruits of development, he said. "This task is very difficult, but it's not something that is impossible to accomplish."
Soeharto used the occasion to remind younger people who are now moving into leadership positions in virtually all fields that the onus falls on them to complete the task started by their elders.
"The young generation of our nation must prepare themselves as well as they can to continue, expand and speed up the process of nation-building for their own sake as well as for the sake of future generations," he said. (emb)