Archive for October 28th, 2009
Will the state secrecy bill suffocate the TNI?
By Evan A. Laksmana
Amidst all the gung-ho following the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott bombings and the aftermath of the general elections, one could easily forget that the controversial state secrecy bill is being discussed and could soon be passed into law.
Despite heavy criticism claiming the bill would turn back the clock on democratic freedom and accountability, defense officials claim there is nothing to worry about as the bill is meant to protect strategic state information — which was true of the very first draft initially set to protect specific defense information, but not of the current draft that covers the protection of information from other government agencies and ministries.
Oddly, although skeptics argue the bill will ultimately kill our democracy, very few, if any, have pointed out the long term implications of the bill to the military itself. Read the rest of this entry »
Youth Pledge, entrepreneurship, and young Indonesian ambassadors
by Jennie S. Bev
The Youth Pledge was declared on Oct. 28, 1928, where three ideals of Indonesia –one motherland, one nation and one language– were immortalized and became the unifying promise among young Indonesians.
Today, such commemoration may sound like a routine without much practical meaning. While it is true that it was an important milestone in Indonesian history and we appreciate those heroic youth role models, many of us aren’t even aware of today’s young Indonesians who are inspiring and successful internationally and have been carrying the country’s name on their shoulders. We should give proper accolades to past and present heroes and ambassadors, and breed future ones.
To be known as Indonesian-born individuals in the international arena requires both the courage and the willingness to be perceived as “different.” They also fought long and hard along with top-notch international players. And this alone deserves our sincere applause. Read the rest of this entry »
