http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20060128.F02&irec=3
Where are the foreign spies? The chairman of Muhammadiyah Din Syamsuddin claims that there are thousands of foreign intelligence personnel operating in our country that will be a threat to our national sovereignty if action is not taken swiftly (www.detik.com, Jan. 11). Primarily he blames the situation on our lenient immigration policies and contrasts them with the harsh treatment received by Indonesians when applying for foreign visas. Such a remark leaves us mere mortals begging for substantiation. And as long as these outcries continue unchecked by influential people, their followers will ignore facts and keep on believing in conspiracy theories, fiction and ghosts. It is the old story of leaders and supporters expressing alarm at any form of foreign influx. It shows a lack of self-confidence which is not befitting of any leader and any nation in my view. I agree that Indonesians often face some serious prejudice in applying for visas at foreign embassies. However most of these countries allow more tourist entries and grant permanent resident status to more people than our own country on a yearly basis both in absolute numbers as well as percentage wise. Furthermore, Din Syamsuddin would do well to listen carefully to foreigners trying to avoid the illegal payments to enter, remain or leave our country if he likes comparisons. But most of all, to give credence to his remarks it would be helpful if he could explain how he identified the foreign intelligence personnel. ASHER TAURAN Jakarta ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/aYWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Milis Wanita Muslimah Membangun citra wanita muslimah dalam diri, keluarga, maupun masyarakat. Situs Web: http://www.wanita-muslimah.com ARSIP DISKUSI : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/messages Kirim Posting mailto:wanita-muslimah@yahoogroups.com Berhenti mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Milis Keluarga Sejahtera mailto:keluarga-sejahtera@yahoogroups.com Milis Anak Muda Islam mailto:majelismuda@yahoogroups.com This mailing list has a special spell casted to reject any attachment .... Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
