Readers' Comments:

The Jakarta Post
Sat, 01/09/2010 11:33 AM | Reader's Forum

Jakarta-Papua talks still possible--Jan. 2, p. 7

Despite the killing of Kelly Kwalik by Indonesian Mobile Brigade Police on Dec.16, 2009, at Timika, the capital of Mimika regency, Papua, the Indonesian government under the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Papuans has not yet shut the window on dialogue. (By Neles Tebay, Abepura, Papua)

Your comments:

Hopefully, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will answer the call from the West Papuan people for dialogue and sit down with their representatives to peacefully discuss their concerns.

But what a grand gesture it would be from him at the beginning of a new year to release all West Papuan political prisoners as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.

Joe Collins
Sydney

Which way to go in the Asian century--Dec. 31, p. 12

Throughout 2009, there has been an interesting debate over whether Indonesia should continue its foreign policy with ASEAN as its cornerstone. Or is it the time for Jakarta to look beyond ASEAN, especially after its elevation from an impoverished nation to one of the top 20 economies of the world? (By Veeramalla Anjaiah, Jakarta)

Your comments:

Is it true that we, Indonesia, are a new emerging power in the world? Who says so? If he is Indonesian, I think he doesn't really understand the actual situation at ground level or doesn't want to see our daily problems.

If he is a foreigner, I think he only wants to praise us, without facts. Indonesians are people who like to be praised by other states or like to praise themselves.

How can we consider ourselves as a new emerging power in the world if we still face problems of difficult access to education and health services, unemployment, poverty, corruption, bribery, an unfair legal system, etc?

Cablaka
Banyumas, Central Java