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I think it is time that Indonesian policymakers review these outdated Indonesian immigration policies and discriminatory citizenship laws and come to the conclusion that the situation that existed many decades ago has long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