Tolerance for different opinions

Allow me first to underline that when participating in a special dialog on the state TVRI television network on Nov. 16, Siti Hartati Murdaya was not referred to as a Buddhist community figure, but simply as a community figure.

Regarding the term "community figure", this is an honorable title that people cannot bestow on themselves. If you have no gift to be a "community figure", you will never be one.

You can only be a "community figure" if society or the government regards you as such out of appreciation of your capability.

In the case of Siti Hartati Murdaya, it is the government and the community that call her a Buddhist community figure out of appreciation for her capability and merits in connection with, among other things, her involvement in social and humanitarian activities and her effort to bring unity to the Buddhists through the Buddhist councils.

In addition, the fact that she is widely connected with civilian officials and military officers must also be regarded as a plus in her position as a community figure. Thus, it is really ridiculous for somebody to criticize one's wide social connections unless it is prompted by "envy" or even "hatred".

In my opinion, in this era of transparency differences of opinion and mutual criticism are natural and valid. However, we must stick to decency and ethics when expressing our criticism. A criticism conveyed with anger and hatred and couched in indecent words does not reflect wisdom. Pressure, it is to be regretted, may not solve a problem but may instead complicate matters, which would otherwise be amicably settled if all is based on good intentions and understanding.

In this respect, Mrs. Murdaya has said that she never meant to insult students when she spoke during the talk show on TVRI.

I believe it is important for us to respect differences in opinion and that it is also important for us to be mature and wise in accepting differences in opinion.

IWAN KAMAL

Jakarta

Note: With this letter we close the discussion on this issue.

-- Editor