Students should act rationally

Students should act rationally

I have decided to write this letter after reading about the
fate of jailed student activists, who seem to be victims of wrong
advice. As a teacher, I feel obliged to pass on my humble advice
to my fellow students. I will talk about current topical issues
in relation to students, attitudes, judgments and activities in
Indonesia.

Demonstrations--It is true that demonstrations are widely used
as an outlet to vent political steam, but their effectiveness as
a method varies from place to place and from time to time. My
worry is that, other than achieving students' aims--whatever they
are--they may be an umbrella to those who like to fish in
troubled waters. This will disrupt stability. I would suggest
that, the best way to change a system--if that is their aim--is
to cooperate with it and work within its framework. Then
articulate your views. If they are plausible they will be
accepted and adopted in the form of internal reorganization.
Group compromises that reflect a common denominator in the policy
struggle is the best for the students' future.

Corruption trials--I have read about some students
demonstrating to demand trials of certain officials. Thank you
for that concern but remember that what is important is proof
that they are guilty and not the layman's assumption of their
guilt. Without proof the prosecutor's hands are tied.

Labor problems--Students as future workers have a stake here.
They should condemn in strongest terms the militaristic approach
by some groups to labor issues. Students should approach it in an
academic manner through research. In all those writings about
this issue no one has shown us data about total wage bill in
relation to net-profits, costs vs. net profits, total labor force
etc. It seems that some people are just following Western
rhetoric. Remember the West's reasons are more economical than
ideological.

Human rights--Much has been written about students' concerns
on this issue. The pros and cons of this will be left to
political analysts. I just want students to remember that human
rights have different interpretations in different countries and
at different times. Some human rights violations are inevitable
because of the less developed institutional framework. In
developing countries we are fighting population explosion,
illiteracy, debt burden and economic dependence. Total democracy
is difficult, if not impossible to achieve.

As a foreigner, I welcome any misinterpretations I may have
given based on lack of or insufficient understanding of the
forces behind them. I also welcome any debate or discussion on
these issues to show how they have destroyed some parts of
Africa.

Lastly, please never fight a war you can't win. You may win
the battle of appearing as a hero but lose the war of social
reform.

KWIZERA BYABAGABO

Yogyakarta