Time to consider a federal state

Time to consider a federal state

From Republika

The people in Aceh, Riau, East Kalimantan and Irian Jaya have openly informed the government that if there is no regional autonomy and financial balance, the four provinces will secede from the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia (Republika, April 8). In fact, other people in the provinces outside Java have the same wish hidden in their hearts. It must be admitted that the four provinces are the most courageous in this matter.

Is the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia sacrosanct? The people saying so in the name of nationalism and history are obsessed with central power. Lord Acton's saying has been proven by history: Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Therefore, the central power must be regulated in such a way as to guarantee that there will be no central power anymore in Indonesia.

Limited central power is found in federal states like the United States, Germany and Australia. Those three countries are prosperous, just, strong and united. There, they do not talk about certain ideologies like nationalism, national unity, etc., but they have implemented democracy in a clear manner because it is regulated in their constitution. More than 200 years ago, the founding fathers of the U.S. were conscious that a federal state was the best form of government to ensure welfare, justice, strength and unity.

It is not too late to be aware of our mistakes. It is time to consider an Indonesian Federal Republic. There is no need to wait like the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.

DEHEN BINTI

Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan