The right to express oneself

The right to express oneself

Ever since Mr. Masli Arman's article on ethnic Chinese
appeared in this newspaper (July 30), it was obvious to me that a
large number of critical letters would appear not long after.

Ladies and gentlemen, whatever happened to the ideal of a free
press? Whether or not we agree with Mr. Arman's views, I believe
he has a right to his say. The Jakarta Post has always been fair
in publishing different views, which is more than can be said for
some longer-established international newspapers. Some
publications claim they believe in press freedom. Many don't
offer opposing viewpoints to contradict their own editorial
biases.

As for Dean Boulding who called Mr. Arman's article "drivel",
please elaborate, Mr. Boulding, why it is drivel?

As for me, I believe that Indonesian of Chinese descent have
often enough been unfairly discriminated against. But these
fellow citizens of ours do indeed need to reflect sometimes. And
for sure, the answer to indigenous Indonesian chauvinism is
certainly not through increased Chinese chauvinism.

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta