We know only the best citizens
We know only the best citizens
From Merdeka
I read in Merdeka, March 12, an article entitled Soedomo: Don't be afraid of inclusion of nonindigenous people in the cabinet.
The article's title, apparently, touches on a subject which is still highly sensitive. In fact, the article discusses mainly security and requirements demanded for the cabinet ministers. I regret that this issue was raised in the essay. What is important is that the cabinet should consist of the country's best sons and daughters.
As a law-based country, Indonesia recognizes only two categories of citizens: foreign nationals and Indonesian citizens. In my opinion there is no such thing as indigenous and nonindigenous citizens. If I may say frankly, only ethnic Chinese are referred to as nonindigenous, whereas the other ethnic groups, including Arabs and Dutch, are not.
In reality, we currently have ministers of Arab origin, yet we haven't made this a political issue. There is no need to dispute about the fact. During Sukarno's era, we had a few ministers of Chinese descent, such as the minister of health and minister of finance, and that was nothing extraordinary. It was a common state of affair. Why is it now made a heated issue, as if the nonindigenous people are a formidable group.
Remember President Soeharto's speech delivered on Aug. 16, 1967: "The nonindigenous, albeit Chinese in origin, are Indonesian citizens who have the same rights, responsibilities and positions as other lawful Indonesian citizens. Therefore, there is no reason for treating them discriminately."
Please note, this was said in 1967, so we should not take a backward step in our effort to flourish unity and integrity of the nation.
It is true that there are different cultural backgrounds and physical appearances between the indigenous people and the people of Chinese descent. But we should not forget that even among the indigenous, there are distinctions in terms of culture, traditions, physical postures and languages, for example, the Batak, Javanese and Ambonese, to name just a few.
The President admitted the differences as a normal and natural phenomenon. Let the differences exist and remain as they are. The point is how we should make the differences a source of power to eternalize harmonious unity.
Look at the United States, a black citizen can take up the position of chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and it is said that the current secretary of state is an immigrant. In Peru, President Fujimori is of Japanese descent. In Surinam, they have a minister of Javanese descent, and that very minister once visited Indonesia.
To conclude, everybody, under the law, should enjoy equal rights and shoulder the same responsibilities, especially in this time of severe crisis, when the nation's unity and integrity are at stake.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta