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A Hidden Culture
2005-08-21
[The Echo Magazine]
 The other day I realized that this beautiful country will turn sixty years old when she celebrates her independence on 17th August. Having been raised in a romantic culture of nationalism, I am often touched by my national anthem and sometimes I am reduced to tears just listening to it. If Indonesia were my mother I would have saved my money to buy her a diamond ring. After all a sixtieth anniversary is symbolized by the diamond, isn't it?
Personally however, I have to admit, there have been times when it is not easy to be proud of being Indonesian. Some people would perhaps deliver the cliché statement about loyalty to the mother country: right or wrong, this is still my country. But all countries exist in a world of contradiction: so how can we be proud about the negative side of our motherland, how can we be proud of injustice? For example; how can we be proud about the country if our bureaucrats are a bunch of thieves? Do I have to defend those thieves for the sake of solidarity amongst my fellow countrymen?
Right is right, wrong is wrong. Being proud of the country is just another chapter.
In the last couple of months, the national media has focused on a number of issues related to the particular culture of Indonesian bureaucrats: corruption. This 'culture' is an important hidden culture within Indonesian society. This sick culture, as you perhaps know, is far from ethical. It is omnipresence within the power. Some of our readers have implied how they have experienced some degree of this 'culture' whilst dealing with immigration, law and tax officials.
This culture is the main issue on the eve of our 60th anniversary of independence. Indonesian dailies have reported that the current actions of the Committee of Corruption Elimination have already sent some corruptors to legal trial. This is just the beginning of the growing hope to eliminate this sick culture from society.
It is this current action in the struggle to clean up the longstanding corrupt bureaucrats that makes us proud of this country. This is the type of action (not just sweeping the problem under the carpet) that makes us proud of the government.
Mother Indonesia, we realize that still have many wounds and bruises after all the difficult years, but you are still beautiful. Believe us, your children will keep on fighting, and keep on hoping. Happy 60th Anniversary!
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