Why the ban on studying abroad?

Why the ban on studying abroad?

Having enjoyed years of Western education, President B.J.
Habibie would now like to deprive Indonesia's youngsters of the
same experience. The line of reasoning, if there is any, seems to
be that studying abroad corrupts the mind and diminishes the
nationalistic spirit of impressionable young people.

For me, the reverse is true. I studied at an American high
school and an English university, and I can only say that what I
learned there increased my sense of nationalism. I came back
wanting Indonesia to be stronger and more mature as a nation. I
wanted Indonesians to experience the benefits of real democracy,
equal rights before the law and a government that actually served
their best interests.

I longed for the day when Indonesia would be a just, orderly
and clean nation that enjoyed an excellent reputation among the
international community. In other words, my nationalism was, and
still is, based on a wish for Indonesia to improve, to realize
its great potential.

Perhaps Habibie and his Cabinet would not agree with my
definition of nationalism. Maybe they define nationalism as blind
loyalty to the government (the nation is almost beside the
point!) and an uncritical acceptance of what is wrong with our
country. This kind of "nationalism" among Indonesia's young
people would certainly make the government's life easier. And
perhaps this is the real reason behind the proposed ban on
studying abroad.

If we want Indonesia to thrive as a nation, contact with other
countries is part of the solution, not part of the problem. Let's
not deprive Indonesia's young people of the right to study
abroad.

H. S. ACHADIENA

Jakarta