On Indonesia's Help for Australia: The Symbol of Solidarity

Among anything I could be impressed with, I'm always impressed the most with the sincerity of human beings helping each other. Sometimes we all are just full of ourselves, with our own happiness and misery, that we forget that other people also feel what we feel. So, if people help other people simply because they sympathize with what those other people feel, it will sound very encouraging for me, who's been lately viewing the world in such an apathetic way.

So here is the good news I got from Indonesia. Our government said on Wednesday (January 12, 2011), that Indonesia planned to donate S$1.29 million to help victims of the devastating floods that struck northeastern Australia this week. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Michael Tene said that this donation were made because Indonesia sympathized with situation in Australia.

"The Australian government and people have helped us when we faced disasters and we too have helped them before. This is an example of good relationships and solidarity between us," he added.

Surely, I remember how Australian government and people have helped us when we're facing Tsunami disaster in 2004, Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006, Tsunami in Mentawai 2010, Merapi 2010, and many other disasters I haven't mentioned. And I also understand if some of us might look at it cynically by saying, "how come Indonesia help such a rich country like Australia?" Or some of us might look at it as just a part of solidarity between two countries that are tied politically (But so what? Even if we are not tied politically with them, Australia still needs help anyway. And we must help those who's in need of help).

But this is not about the rich help the poor. This is about humans helping each other without particular reasons and the only reason is just "human nature." At least, Indonesian government has shown their good deeds towards our neighbouring country and enhance the friendship and solidarity between Indonesia and Australia.

So, even though some of us might think that Indonesia is such a poor and helpless country, or that it is difficult for Indonesians to contribute significantly for the world's better future, I'm thankful enough that we still have that sincerity to help our fellow friends, Australia. Sympathy, sincerity, solidarity, humanity, and friendship are values I thought I hardly find in Indonesia nowadays. But maybe I was wrong. I'm still seeing it today.

Source: AFP