The Indonesian art of criticizing
The Indonesian art of criticizing
A long time ago, back in 1967, the Attorney General held a
friendly meeting with the late Mahbub Djunaedi, from the
Indonesian Press Association, to discuss a very interesting topic
-- criticism in the Indonesian press.
The personal opinion of the Attorney General at that time was,
as conveyed to Mahbub, that he did not see any harm in criticism
as long as it was constructive. This means with good intentions
and with the objective of correcting things considered wrong and
not just criticizing for the sake of criticizing.
After a long and intensive talk, Mahbub proposed that the
Attorney General issue guidelines on how the government expected
the criticism to be conducted and that the press should take
those instructions into consideration.
The next day. the Attorney General issued the guidelines on
how to criticize. The preamble of the guidelines said that the
New Order Indonesia was trying to implement the 1945 Constitution
consequently, based on Pancasila and life in a democratic
society.
Based on this principle, criticism is welcome as long as it
complies with the following rules.
1. Criticism should be to the point and go straight to the
core of the problem. Some papers criticize a policy of a certain
ministry and, at the same time, launch attacks on the private
life of the minister concerned. This is wrong and should be
stopped.
2. Criticism should be framed in a polite language and use of
vulgar words should be avoided. Criticism is not an expression of
hatred, but it is a difference of opinion and implementation of
ideas. Politeness does not diminish the sharpness of criticism.
3. Offer an alternative or solution. If you criticize a
matter, it is because you think that the matter is handled in the
wrong way or the opinion presented is wrong. If a matter is
considered wrong then the critics must know, in their opinion,
what is right.
So do not just criticize. One should also offer a solution or
alternative, which according to him or her would improve the
situation.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta