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