It is this inappropriate use of this terminology that has contributed to the prolonged polemic on civil-military relations, contrasting both of them as if they were at different poles in national and state life. There are a lot of newly coined words originating from Bahasa Indonesia or adapted from regional and foreign languages of which the substance and meaning are not appropriate, especially with regard to today's and future social life conditions. In the national and state life, the words governance and government refer to formal organizations managing national and state life, beginning with the president as head of government to the lowest in the organizational structure, the village head. In Indonesia, this vertical relation is clearly evident in the attitude of some of government officers in various areas in their community, or the attitude of certain people, whether in terms of excessive respect or sense of fear toward government officers. A long time ago, when the social life in various regions was arranged along royal and feudalistic lines, vertical relations between administrators and the community were considered a natural thing since the people believed the King owned everything and the King had absolute power.
Language indicates national identity.
The use of words or terms indicates the user's identity. In view of the significant role of the meaning a word or term it carries and its relation to the user's attitude and behavior, Indonesia needs words and terms that are conducive to creating a democratic society. Rear Air Marshall Zeky Ambadar is an economic advisor to the Indonesian Military Chief. This Website is designed for The Jakarta Post by CNRG ITB . All contents copyright of The Jakarta Post.