I had never been a History fan. It's just a mandatory subject that exists in the curriculum although I took Science major in high school. I–and many students in my class–were able to get quite good score by simply memorizing numerous names, dates and events of interest, thus I never took it seriously. However, one chapter that still remains in my memory after so many years is The Colonization Period, as it's repeated over and over again during my school years. No, I'm not going to throw tantrums about how the Dutch monopolized our resources, enslaved our citizens and took over our government for 350 years; or how soon thereafter the Japanese conquest our nation for 3 years, conducted the most inhumane forced labor, sex slavery and even medical experimentation to the people of Indonesia. Those are indeed a painful memory for the victims' family and relatives which can't be easily cured by the culprits' apology or any kind of compensations. But the nation has overcome it after all; declaring independence in the most patriotic way on the edge of World War II despite all the limitations, setting on foot to leap into a new era where others' dominion no longer has the power upon the nation, or so we thought.
People's tendency to dominate is always there, stays with them, some appear subtly while others conspicuous. The problem is no longer what comes upon us but what comes within us. Or else, among us. People of this country have been making effort to rearrange every aspect of life's pieces that had been shattered since the colonialism. Ironically, while some others are fixing up the mess, others are viciously taking advantage out of it; feeding their own mouth using what actually belongs to the people. The worse part is, the scumbags who practice those wicked deeds are the ones who sit in the government office, wearing nice suits, driving expensive cars, flying from Milan to New York City for the so-called tour of duty alongside their wives and kids, all obtained from the tax that citizens are obligated to pay monthly to "develop the country." Meanwhile on the other side of the country, students are struggling to cross the river by holding onto a rope, their shoes and school uniform all drenched as a result of the delayed bridge construction by several months.
Whatever laws created, even the Corruption Eradication Commission (Indonesian: Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi) created by the government can't seem to significantly confront this issue. Instead, they reenact the despicable act as a member of the agency whose main goal is to supposedly against it. Yet again; dominion. This time it's wickedly blinding the common sense of those people, worse than any colonialism ever happened as they're stealing from their own people's purse. Without any regrets.
As a democratic country, we hold the capability to be freed from this situation using our own voice. Thus, we should not waste this precious opportunity to vote in the next election wisely. Choose the ones who have demonstrated concrete proves; whether it's cutting-off the problematic state officials, spending public money to build and repair various facilities and infrastructure, or even conducting the 'hands-on operation' where they visit secluded location–or sometimes unimaginable place like a sewer construction site–to take a direct look with no hesitation. Yes, I'm talking about the two great figures of Indonesia: one is the now-President of the Country and another one is the now-Governor of the Capital. I see hope in them.
People's tendency to dominate is always there, stays with them, some appear subtly while others conspicuous. The problem is no longer what comes upon us but what comes within us. Or else, among us. People of this country have been making effort to rearrange every aspect of life's pieces that had been shattered since the colonialism. Ironically, while some others are fixing up the mess, others are viciously taking advantage out of it; feeding their own mouth using what actually belongs to the people. The worse part is, the scumbags who practice those wicked deeds are the ones who sit in the government office, wearing nice suits, driving expensive cars, flying from Milan to New York City for the so-called tour of duty alongside their wives and kids, all obtained from the tax that citizens are obligated to pay monthly to "develop the country." Meanwhile on the other side of the country, students are struggling to cross the river by holding onto a rope, their shoes and school uniform all drenched as a result of the delayed bridge construction by several months.
Whatever laws created, even the Corruption Eradication Commission (Indonesian: Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi) created by the government can't seem to significantly confront this issue. Instead, they reenact the despicable act as a member of the agency whose main goal is to supposedly against it. Yet again; dominion. This time it's wickedly blinding the common sense of those people, worse than any colonialism ever happened as they're stealing from their own people's purse. Without any regrets.
As a democratic country, we hold the capability to be freed from this situation using our own voice. Thus, we should not waste this precious opportunity to vote in the next election wisely. Choose the ones who have demonstrated concrete proves; whether it's cutting-off the problematic state officials, spending public money to build and repair various facilities and infrastructure, or even conducting the 'hands-on operation' where they visit secluded location–or sometimes unimaginable place like a sewer construction site–to take a direct look with no hesitation. Yes, I'm talking about the two great figures of Indonesia: one is the now-President of the Country and another one is the now-Governor of the Capital. I see hope in them.
"Humans do have authority over creation—but it is a delegated authority to care for animals as God would and not to destroy them. All life still belongs to the Creator of life, as it did the in the beginning." - Richard A. Young
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