To the government and the Army

To the government and the Army

I am taking advantage of freedom of speech which I heard was
now available in my beloved country, something that still feels
strange to me after decades of so-called tolerance and buried
honest opinion. Nevertheless, allow me to share with you my
burning thoughts.

When East Timor was hot on the agenda of the international
community, I watched through the media the bizarre development of
the situation. Many hearts of anak bangsa (children of the
nation) started to break then, witnessing the disintegration of
the integrity of our nation which was massacring its own people.

However, another rationalization developed then that perhaps
all the violence was necessary because of the infiltration of
traitors from within imposing the threat of a breakaway province.
This way of thinking caused such anger in the hearts of many
Indonesians toward the intervention of foreign governments. "Are
we once again being imposed with the western way of doing
things?" we asked. That is now behind us, by the way, after it
became clear that the majority of the people wanted out.

A more urgent question glares at all of us right now. Why have
the islands of Maluku been left out as if on purpose for all this
time to suffer in their blood and war? Many international
religious leaders in foreign countries received an SOS letter
from Maluku church leaders a few days ago. At the same time I
know that Christians, as well as Muslims are being massacred by
each other.

Indonesians are known to be a people of dignity. We abhor the
imposition of others, especially former colonial countries. So,
why is it that we turn a deaf ear toward the strife and killing
going on in Ambon and Halmahera? Why are actions only being taken
now in the form of a state of civil emergency after the people of
Maluku had no choice but to turn to the United Nations (UN) for
help.

The honorable government and the Army, and the rest of the
republic, many hearts who have been committed to the unity of
Indonesia, despite the differences, are now being shaken. For
those who feel they are the minority, there is uncertainty
regarding whether the government and those who are defenders of
"law and order" will be able to protect them. Hence, the pleading
from Maluku for the intervention of the UN and the international
community we see on TV. Hence, a second thought recurs in many
minds of the example set by East Timor.

From my comfortable seat overseas, I daringly say to my
suffering Indonesian brothers and sisters: "Hang in there, this
republic is still worth our allegiance and commitment." Or is it?

FROLY LELENGBOTO-HORN

Auckland, New Zealand