Jusuf Kalla Links Diaspora to Domestic Economic Improvement

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Vice President Jusuf Kalla is reported to have been leading the official opening of the third Congress for Indonesian Diaspora. In his speech, he stated the fact that national identity card does not justify a citizen’s nationalism.

“Many have fled abroad and become the citizens of other countries.But that does not mean that they are less nationalistic than those who actually own an Identity card. It is only a formality, their sense of nationalism depends on them as a person,” Vice President Jusuf Kalla shared in his speech at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Wednesday (12/8/2015).

According to him, the diaspora of Indonesia should be like the one in India. Descendants of India who have decided to reside or becoming citizens of other countries are given the proper acknowledgment.

Proper acknowledgment in a sense that they are being highly valued as a person with credible profession. Jusuf Kalla worries over the fact that many of his people who are now in other countries often viewed merely as a housekeeper or worst yet, ‘maid’.

Indonesian workers abroad are synonymous to maid or helper in the household. This is truly a degrading phenomenon and Jusuf Kalla thinks it is important for countries to know that Indonesians have competence far beyond household duties.

“Look at India and how its people have earned prominence elsewhere in the world. One has successfully earned Governor position in the U.S and there is also one currently professing as the President for the company Google,” he continued.

He then feels that the improvement and advancement of our economy could help alter those common demeaning perspectives against Indonesian abroad. With its economy domestically improving, the welfare of its people as well as their quality as a person will be equally improved. (Akp/Rie)