Solving problem with cool head

Solving problem with cool head

I read with a sad heart the growing rift between two brothers, both members of ASEAN. I am so proud of ASEAN, because this is an organization based on brotherhood, love and understanding between the members and is mutually beneficial.

Before the creation of ASEAN, Indonesia and Malaysia had a big political problem which resulted in a serious confrontation. Even though the political problem was bigger and more serious than the hanging of Contemplacion, the two states managed to solve this problem in an amicable way.

This ASEAN grouping is supposed to be an organization created to reach closer cooperation and to solve internal problems through negotiations. We should keep a cool head.

The latest news about the report submitted by Consul General Elizabeth Buensuceso, that Contemplacion admitted to committing the murders and never retracted her confession, could perhaps create the right atmosphere for cooling down. I do not know how this report will be interpreted by the Philippine government. But one thing I hope is that after this everything can return to normal.

Another thing I would like to point out is (not that other people do not know) that I am sure that Singapore Court had not sentenced a Filipino lady, but a lady who ha committed a double murder. In this case it happened to be a Filipino. It could have been a Singaporean, Malaysian or Indonesian. I am sure the same law and standards would apply. I am also sure that the Singapore Court issued this sentence based on enough evidence and witnesses and the result of intensive interrogation.

Look at this case as the hanging of a guilty murderer. This is purely a criminal case and not political. If by any chance Contemplacion was wrongly sentenced to death, then as a religious man I sincerely believe that she will go straight to heaven. Surely a better place than anywhere in this world.

Foreign Minister Ali Alatas hopes that cooler heads will prevail, and his counterpart Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from Malaysia hopes no diplomatic break will happen and I (not that I pretend to be on the same level as the Foreign Ministers) pray may God give guidance to both countries.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta