The Jakarta Post, July 05, 2007
On national taboos
Opinion and Editorial
Asher Tauran's letter on national taboos (The Jakarta Post, July 3) raises various
concerns. For example, he noted that "The reactions of certain public figures
regarding the "Ambon incident" are proof of an embarrassing lack of factual knowledge
regarding their nation's history." What kind of history he refers to is unclear.
He also keeps putting the act of separatism in quotes, as if those things were
imaginary and unnecessary to note. The fact still remains that the RMS or the
Republic of South Maluku waged an act of secession and bloody war against a "baby
nation" in the early 1950s. An act that could have crippled the republic at an early
age.
Such fact could not be ignored in passing the judgment of "hypersensitivism." Indeed,
a healthy debate could be necessary, but yet we all need to remember that all nations
have their sensitive issues. We need to remember that the people involved in the act,
whether they are merely "actors" or "directors," are not the victims. They are the
perpetrators.
Being cynical is not helping the call for "dialog," as dialogs do not commence with
cynicism. Dialogs should begin with the ability to understand that each culture has its
own taboos. While those taboos might need to be fought against, some work needs
to be done gradually.
G. ADI KUSUMA
Blacksburg, VA
The Jakarta Post, July 03, 2007
On national taboos
Opinion and Editorial
A little more than a week ago, the Netherlands' under 21 soccer team won the
European finals on home soil and a whole nation could be seen celebrating the victory
as a gesture of national pride. Soon after, several Dutch players of Surinam origin
created quite a stir when they decided to wave and wrap themselves up in flags of the
republic of Surinam during the cup ceremony.
The host country's politicians expressed dismay and disapproval about the incident.
"They are playing for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, so Dutch flags would have been
appropriate. If they wanted to represent Surinam they should have become Surinam
citizens".
Luckily they had, and still have, that choice to make. They were lucky they were not
charged with treason. Of course such a charge would have been quite outrages and
separatism was not the issue, just ancestral pride at best.
By contrast, our "home grown separatists" were caught dancing with six machetes,
four spears and a musical instrument, all of which are part of the outfits used in local
traditional war dances. They were also allegedly carrying some 19 "separatist flags,
including incriminating documents". This may be enough for prosecutors to do their
patriotic best and pin treason on these "war dancers".
The "Ambon incident" again shows how hypersensitive this country is in regard to
"acts of separatism". Like an explosion, the incident put our politicians and law
enforcers to the test and public outcries could be likened to those of a nation under
siege. Maybe the authorities believe bombs "merely" kill fellow citizens, while
"separatist symbols" kill a nation over time.
Communism, separatism and religious totalitarianism are all massive taboos in this
part of the world. Unexplained, and therefore undisputed, taboos can last generations
thriving on ignorance, misinformation and/or unashamed lies.
The reactions of certain public figures regarding the "Ambon incident" are proof of an
embarrassing lack of factual knowledge regarding their nation's history.
When it comes to issues of communism or separatism, dialog is categorically denied
or avoided by officials. Why? Maybe we should dig into the nation's psyche to look for
a plausible explanation for this response. My guess, however, is that it is caused by
fear. Fear of loosing the debate, one's land, one's national dignity, one's pride, one's
livelihood or one's life.
ASHER TAURAN
Jakarta
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