We need love, not violence

Indonesia is a great country and I'm very proud to be Indonesian, knowing that Pancasila is our state philosophy. We, Indonesians, never expect violence to happen anywhere in the world. However, I am very sad seeing that violence in our country is continuing to escalate day by day. It seems that we have an incorrect perception about how to live together peacefully in a global village.

Why is it that many of us create fear in our fellow countrymen? The violence in Poso is very disappointing, while we have still not recovered from the trauma of the Bali bombings. Nothing is more valuable than having love for one another. We need to learn to be compassionate and cool-headed in view of all the differences in our country. The differences in ideology, ethnicity, race, group or views, need not be confronted with violence and threats as a solution. All we need is love and nothing is more attractive than love.

SEVERIN MEO GOA, Adelaide, South Australia