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