East Timorese are now being punished for their own self-determination, decided in a referendum, which its colonial master, the Jakarta government endorsed and supported. 

Jose Ramos Horta, the 1996 co-recipient of the Nobel Prize and vice president of the National Council of the Timorese Resistance cried, “The Day of the plebiscite, Aug 30, was the most beautiful day in my life, and in the history of my people. There they were, simple villages, often poor and illiterate, walking down from the mountains to cast their ballots on the future of their nation. Almost 100 percent of registered voters turned out, and almost 80% voted against autonomy and thus for freedom from colonial rule.” Then the genocide, which led him to declare, “ What an admirable display of courage! But what a terrible price to pay for freedom!” 
. 
ASEAN: Where are you?
The International business magazine the Economist asked. In an editorial on 11 September 1999, it noted, “Conceivably, diplomatic pressure alone could still work. It will have a better chance of dong so if it does not all come from the West. Indonesia’s Asian neighbors have a powerful interest in regional peace. Some of them also say they resent the West’s predominance on the world stage. Why then don’t they help to bring a little order to their own neck of the woods by leaning on the powers-that-be in Indonesia? The West, however, must also weigh in, making it plain that, regardless of Indonesia’s parlous economy, it will not lend money to a country in which militias, with the connivance of the army, make a bloodstained mockery of elections.” 

Does this hit you at all? Pahlawan took it very hard. It does make us shameful to join in the condemnation chorus two weeks after the massacre was allowed to go on.

Asians must take this criticism to heart. We cannot go on talking about the Asian century without working on it!  What do we stand for? Do we just care about making money and be blind to everything else? 

Asian countries have long looked to the West for leadership (the financial crisis Japan caved in to the pressure of America), yet Asian governments are reluctant to step forward forcefully to resolve our own problems. The long observed principle of “non intervention” must be refined. 

Here we are not talking about interfering with the internal affairs of a country, we are talking about saving lives and help a society to stand on its feet. If a couple staying next door to us fought and set the house on fire, it affects us. 

These are about basic  humanitarian values, not lofty ideals; compassion and community self reliance which many Asians wear on their sleeves, teach their children and uphold in their religious teachings. 

Where is the voice of civil society?
Asian governments have not been very explicit on their position. In Auckland, President Jiang Zemin talked about respecting Indonesia’s will and hope that this “internal situation” can be resolved by the Indonesia government, but did not object to peace keeping effort. While Western governments and the United Nations came down strongly to condemn the actions of the militia in East Timor and pressured President Habibie to accept international peace keeping force immediately. 

We need stronger leadership from Asian leaders. Peacekeeping is different from interfering with internal affairs. Speaking out for the East Timorese for example will not diminish the authority of the Chinese government in its position with its own minorities. On the contrary, the Chinese government will gain more respect for doing so. 

East Timor is about security and actualizing the will of the people, the raison detre of all governments and all militaries. Perhaps Asian governments too preoccupied with other priorities, hence their low-keyed reaction to the East Timor situation, should be more forthcoming. 

Although the Malaysian Prime Minister, was quick to ask Jakarta to respect the vote of the East Timorese and pledge Malaysian troops to the multinational peace keeping force, the Asian voice in this matter is NOT enough. 

What about civil society? The most vocal voices come from the Australians. Unions and shippers are refusing to handle cargo from Indonesia as an expression of their protest and outrage of what happens to the East Timorese. Commentaries and protests are also seen on regional media, but what about civil society in Indonesia? Whatever happened to the voice of conscience of the intellectuals and other Indonesia Civil Society leaders. 

If we all agree that a referendum is a civilized way of settling differences, shouldn’t there be a civilized response to the outcome? Obviously, manipulations and deal makings went on all the time, but in a fair game, the spirit of sportsmanship must prevail. 

Why cling on to the emotional hang-up of nationalism, trying hard to preserve the wholeness of territory, at great cost when you (the government and the rest of the population) can not even guarantee peace and security, not  to mention development. 

Instead, why can’t societies rise above such emotive issues and look at federalism as a new way of organizing relationship between territories that have differences.  Other regions in Asia, China with Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, the Philippines with its southern island have some serious thinking to do.

Malaysia used to have the same concerns with Sabah, although we have not completely resolved all the issues, we are trying out with experiments that, thank God, can proceed under peaceful conditions. For this, all Malaysians must value and credit the leadership from various quarters involved. 

Solving Our Own Problems
Geography has made our fate interlinked. If peace is disturbed and our neighbors are suffering, everyone around them will suffer one way or the other. The Asian economic recovery is beginning. We cannot jeopardize that. 

The haze problem in Southeast Asia is becoming recurrent and could become an annual affair if these rural communities are not co-opted as quickly as possible into genuine development. These are our very own problems; nobody can help us unless we begin to help ourselves. We can’t fold our arms and look towards help from beyond. 

Yes, the world will put Asia under the spotlight and holds us responsible for these problems. Do we have the capacity to solve problems in our own territory? When is Asia as a region coming together to recognize the need for true regional cooperation, minus the niceties and tiptoeing on each other’s sensitivities? 

It is unthinkable that Asian governments, their leaders as well civil society can be silent even when basic humanitarian principles are compromised. By keeping quiet and simply following behind the leadership of the West, what does that make us? Politically correct and playing safe. Coward is more the word. It is a shame, what does all these teach our children? Our society? 

Selective Democracy
The world's greatest champion of democracy will only pledge airlift and technical support to the operation. This make one wonders whether America's cause for democracy is selective; help for those that are linked with their interest. What more can we say? 

Malaysia, especially Chinese Malaysians have come out strongly to condemn the atrocities and rape inflicted upon the Chinese women during the Jakarta riot. Now East Timorese women are being raped by the militia right before the eyes of their husbands. These women committed mass suicide to avoid the humiliation. These women are no different from the Indonesian Chinese women. Why are we not reaching out to the East Timorese? Do we also practise selective compassion?

Should the same fate befall us one day, would the outside world come to our rescue? What message are we sending to tyrants and dictators, in our own system?  If this is a matter of right and wrong, are we living our moralistic values? Do we have the courage to do the right thing? 

A civilized life is not about nice designer clothers and polite rhetoric’s, it is about solid deeds. Progress is not only about high economic growth, strong foreign reserves, but also our capacity to care for those in trouble. This is a time to see which Asian society truly value a civilized way of life, and demonstrate our capacity for compassion. Indeed, actualizing our humanity by reaching out to those in need. 

Malaysia has done it for Kosovo, for Turkey, and now the Tzu Chi Compassionate Foundation would be leading a donation exercise to raise fund to provide disaster relief to the East Timorese, Malaysians must support this effort.  Malaysia has spoken. But we must go further. If the Indonesian’s prefer an Asean-led peace keeping force, let us ask the Malaysian government to offer leadership in the peacekeeping force. Participate in the Poll.
 
 

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