Minister Wiranto: Indigenous, Non-Indigenous Terms Irrelevant
26 January 2017 19:42 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, during a discussion he had with a Chinese community group called “Paguyuban Sosial Marga Tionghoa Indonesia”, conveyed that it is important for minority groups and dominant ethnicities to blend-in.
“It’s no longer worthy to continue using the indigenous and non-indigenous term because it obstructs Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity),” said Wiranto on Thursday, January 26, 2017.
He assures that the country protects its citizens; each and everyone without seeing the gender, ethnic group, and the environment. “Every Indonesian citizen born is protected by the country. The minorities should have nothing to worry about.”
Minister Wiranto also urged the public to stop differentiating people’s background. “An awareness from minor [ethnic groups] to blend in and a form of acceptance from the dominant group are important,” said the retired Indonesian National Armed Forces General.
He sees diversity as a double-bladed sword that can be one's strength but can also create insecurity.
“Diversity cannot be framed into a form of unity with egocentric attitude. We (Indonesia) have to be ready,” Wiranto concluded.
YOHANES PASKALIS
