Yusril defended RI's dignity

Yusril defended RI's dignity

From Rakyat Merdeka

Making a criticism is everyone's right. As a sovereign nation, we reserve the right to maintain the dignity and integrity of our country.

However, I cannot agree with the highly critical Teten Masduki, chairman of the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW), especially when he criticized Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra's response to the harsh comments voiced by the United Nations rapporteur Datok Param Chumaraswamy about Indonesia's judicial system. What Chumaraswamy has done (suggested that Indonesia should try to eradicate corruption in the legal system) encroaches upon the internal affairs of our country and wounds the dignity of our nation.

Not all the opinions and wishes of foreigners, including the United Nations, must be heeded. I support Minister Yusril in this respect. What he has done shows that there is still a dignified official who defends the dignity of his nation. Ours is a great and sovereign nation with our own rules of the game. Teten must be able to distinguish between the state's interests and personal dislikes.

I have always considered Teten my comrade-in-arms although we have never met.

H. GUMAY, Jakarta