There are many foreigners working and living in Indonesia who speak perfect Indonesian. Even some tourists visiting Indonesia take a crash course in Indonesian before coming.
It is a shame that the chosen Miss Indonesia does not speak her own language and knows practically zilch about her own country's culture. But let us be fair: The fact she was elected should not be blamed on this young lady. Are we then talking about an incompetent jury? But this is also not the case, since members of this jury are all professionals in their own fields. But were they also blinded by her knowledge of English?
I personally would have chosen Miss Bali for her charismatic appearance, her regal posture and her beauty. I have attended an international school, lived in a housing area with only foreigners and learned Indonesian when I was 12 years old. My parents recognized the danger of being in an international school and surroundings, and to have continued on this path without any knowledge of one's own country, culture and language would finally be detrimental to oneself.
They put my brothers and I in Indonesian schools and we even learned traditional dances. The education minister should include culture in the current educational system, where our children and grandchildren will be able to perform traditional dances and play traditional musical instruments.
Lynna van der Zee-Oehmke
Bogor, West Java
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