Dear Mr. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono…

Read open letters to the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono discovered over the internet. These letters are only several out of many of those we wish to find. Regardless our great concern, Journal by The Lightbeamers, MD. and its authors are not related to the political contents implied in the following letters’ content. Even so, we believe that the quality that makes a person a leader of a nation is not only for the messages one could speak, but also the messages one could listen. And we’d like to forward them.

Letters addressed (eventhough may or may not be delivered) to:
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta 10110
Indonesia
Fax +62 21 345 2685

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From: Jeffry Marcel Pondaag and D. Purbo Baskoro Hadinoto
Subject: Bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands and its legitimacy. The Netherlands monarchy’s refusal to validate Indonesia’s declared independence on the 17th August 1945.
Forwarded by: Dutch Honorary Debts Comittee website
Date: May 26th 2007

Sampai detik ini, Belanda tidak mau secara de jure untuk mengakui (erkenning) -recognition, acknowledgment, Anerkennung, Zugeben, ngakoni = ngakeni (Jawa) – bahwa Kemerdekaan Indonesia – existensi Negara Indonesia-, sudah dimulai pada hari Proklamasi 17. Agustus 1945.
Dalam Pembukaan Undang Undang Dasar 1945, Hari Proklamasi inilah yang kita anut sebagai DASAR Hari Kemerdekaan Bangsa Indonesia.

Read the letter here.

From: Djohan Effendi (Chairman of Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace)
Subject: Indonesian minorities’ constitutional rights of religious beliefs and activities. As a response to the president’s opening speech for ASEM Interfaith Dialogue on the 21st July 2005.
Forwarded by: Jalansutera.com
Date: July 21st 2005

Sungguh sangat ironis kalau sampai Pemerintah tunduk terhadap intimidasi dan pemaksaan kehendak sekelompok orang yang jelas-jelas melanggar hak asasi manusia yang dijamin oleh konstitusi dan melawan hukum. Percayalah Bapak Presiden, kalau Pemerintah tidak bertindak tegas atau bahkan menyerah terhadap intimidasi dan pemaksaan kehendak yang dilakukan dengan kekerasan, apa yang mereka lakukan sekarang bukan yang terakhir.

Read the letter here. Note: The blog post has been replied with several “letters” to the president as well.

From: Paul Barber. On behalf of: Paula Makabory, Budi Hernawan, Benny Wenda, Victor C. Mambor, Usman Hamid, Peongky Indarti, Bonar Tigor Naipospos, Donatus Klaudius Marut, Garda Sembiring, Ines Martins, Brad Adams, Matthew Jamieson, John M. Miller, Eko Waluyo, Professor Peter King, Dr Clinton Fernandes, Paul O’Callaghan, Joe Collins, Dr Anne Noonan, Ed McWilliams, Melinda Janki, Richard Samuelson, Maire Leadbeater, Gus Miclat, Monika Schlicher, Gabriel Jonsson, Chuck Warpehoski, William Ramsey, Mary Whittlinger, Rev. John Chamberlin, Rev. James Kofski, Tom Ricker, Sharon Silber and Eileen Weiss, Elaine Donovan, Roland Watson, Vicky Steinitz, Paul Shannon.
Subject: Concerning Col. Cav. Burhanuddin Siagian, Commander of the Resort Military Command 172/PWY Jayapura, Papua, which has been indicted twice for crimes against humanity in East Timor (now Timor Leste).
Forwarded by: TAPOL website
Date: June 28th 2007

We are dismayed that Indonesia’s failure to hold Col. Siagian and others to account encourages military personnel to believe they will continue to escape justice for serious crimes and seriously undermines Indonesia’s progress towards becoming a country that fully respects human rights and the rule of law.

Read the letter here.

From: Tommy Pollák (Sweden)
Subject: Concerning the reports of Pastor Johanes Djonga death threats and request of protection and investigation regarding the matter.
Forwarded by: Email
Date: November 2nd 2007

Dear President Yudhoyono,

I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the reports that the Kopassus commander in Waris district, and his men, have threatened to kill Pastor Johanes Djonga. I would urge you to take immediate action to protect him, and to order an investigation into this matter.

It is vital that the authorities ensure that the right of freedom of expression and assembly is upheld in Papua province, and that local and international journalists, humanitarian workers and human rights defenders have full, unimpeded access to the people living and working there.

The authorities must also ensure that all members of the police force and the military servcies are made aware of the legimitate roel of human rights defenders and of their responsibility to defend them. This important matter is set out in the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups, and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Yours respectfully,

Tommy Pollák

From: Tri Budi Marhaen Darmawan
Subject: Spiritual perspective of the nation’s political situation and current events, which is perceived to be strongly related to Javanese ancient folklores and prophecy (Ramalan Sabdo Palon).
Forwarded by: Mukti Prayitno (blog)
Date: September 5th 2006

Dipaparkan ada tujuh satrio piningit yang akan muncul sebagai tokoh yang dikemudian hari akan memerintah atau memimpin wilayah seluas wilayah “bekas” kerajaan Majapahit, yaitu: Satrio Kinunjoro Murwo Kuncoro, Satrio Mukti Wibowo Kesandung Kesampar, Satrio Jinumput Sumelo Atur, Satrio Lelono Topo Ngrame, Satrio Piningit Hamong Tuwuh, Satrio Boyong Pambukaning Gapuro, Satrio Pinandito Sinisihan Wahyu.

Read letter here.

From: Moh. Mahmud M.D
Subject: Concerning Syamsul Bahri, the disqualified candidate for Komisi Pemilihan Umum KPU).
Forwarded by: Jawa Pos Online
Date: (published) October 15th 2007

Qiyas-nya, pejabat aktif saja harus berhenti jika bermasalah secara moral dan membohongi publik. Masak, yang belum menjabat malah akan diangkat? Begitu pula, pejabat yang “baru diduga” KKN saja dapat dijatuhi tindakan administratif. Masak, seorang yang sudah jelas jadi tersangka masih akan diangkat juga?

Read the letter here.

From: iamisaid. On behalf of Republik Komodo.
Subject: On Indonesians’ mentality and its relation to the nation ways of governance.
Forwarded by: Indonesia Matters
Date: January 3rd 2008

Implore the rakyat not to be twits like your opponents. Twirl the rakyat’s minds around your fingers about the disgraceful, degrading and disastrous mentality of your opponents. And most importantly, ensure that you make the rakyat’s minds choose what you believe in.

Read the letter here.

From: Child victims of Bantul, Yogyakarta earthquake
Subject: The earthquake Bantul children have been through.
Forwarded by: wanawotvideo YouTube account
Date: June 17th 2006, during a “Write to the President” contest (Lomba Menulis Surat untuk Presiden).

Setiap hari saya berangkat sekolah naik sepeda bersama teman-teman. Kalau pagi saya jalan-jalan bersama teman-teman menyusuri jalan dari tepi desa. Saya bisa melihat sungai opak yang memanjang dan kalau udara bersih kami bisa melihat gunug merapi dari jauh, Indah sekali Pak.
27 Mei 2006 sesudah sholat subuh saya mempersiapkan alat-alat untuk sekolah. Habis mandi saya bersiap-siap untuk berangkat sekolah, ibu bilang…Lis Sarapan dulu Nak !
Sudah hampir jam 6, tiba-tiba saya sudah tidak tahu lagi Pak, apa yang terjadi, saya terjatuh dilantai, saya berusaha berdiri tapi tidak bisa.

Read the letter(s) here. Click “more” on About This Video tab.

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How about you writing your own?

PS: For a start in group-writing, try joining the Thoughts Outside the Indonesian Box project by Jakartass.

Best wishes,
Marisa Duma

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