The rights of mixed couples

The rights of mixed couples

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated while in Chile that
he wanted to improve the situation of mixed Indonesian-foreign
couples and their children. This not only shows his compassionate
humanitarian side but also his profound wisdom.

In the past, he also has stated that one of Indonesia's most
important goals would be to achieve economic growth in order to
combat poverty and unemployment -- by attracting more (foreign)
investment. This -- let's be honest -- will apply especially to
large multinational companies that are able to wade through the
maze of bureaucracy.

Although I understand the need to improve the efficiency and
accountability of state-owned sectors, and perhaps this includes
privatizing some of the companies, it is clear that there are
also many dangers involved in these type of one-time operations
that risk handing over important Indonesian assets to foreign
interests.

It would be very ironic to do this while at the same time
largely ignoring another group of potential investors:
Indonesians who currently invest their money abroad, Indonesians
who live abroad, Indonesians with foreign spouses. These groups
are less alien to the Indonesian society than the other potential
investors that I have mentioned.

True, these last groups perhaps only consist of mostly small
investors. But we have to remember that the large multinational
investors are motivated by only one thing, namely profit. That
means, for instance, in textile manufacturing that if conditions
become more attractive Vietnam or China, these types of investors
will simply relocate.

These corporate foreign investors also regularly demonstrate a
lack of respect for Indonesian customs, society and the
environment. On the other hand, the other groups of potential
investors usually just want to make a living and they are tied to
Indonesian society by their families.

If we think about it, they would actually be more able to
contribute to the real economy in a durable fashion. But under
the current conditions many Indonesians and their families are
practically forced to take their money and talent elsewhere.

I think it is time that Indonesian policymakers review these
outdated Indonesian immigration policies and discriminatory
citizenship laws and come to the conclusion that the situation
that existed many decades ago has long changed.

GREG NILSON

Hamilton, Canada