Your thoughts on what steps Indonesia, the third largest democracy in the world, needs to take to survive as a unified country as it celebrates its 64th anniversary on Monday, Aug. 17.

I am wishing for peace in our country so that we can grow to reach a condition of prosperity that is rightfully ours. But our efforts to reach this state were unfortunately robbed by recent violence.

Agus
Ketapang, West Kalimantan

Have we really got independence? Gaining independence simply from another country is not enough. We still have to become independent from terrorism. Are we secure from terrorists? The only way to end terrorist threats is to cut the financial ties these groups have. It will be difficult but not impossible.

Simran S. Galvankar
Surabaya

What this country requires is "emotional healing." Gone are the days when people walked along the streets with a smile on their faces. Gone are the days when people had to wait without being anxious or annoyed.

It seems everyone is always critical and ever ready to fight crisis after crisis, attack after attack, which have stolen our warm and friendly natures.

It is sad that financial problems have made us poor at heart. What this country intensely needs is a group of citizens with a "healthy mind", because only with a happy spirit can we struggle and defeat any act of violence or intimidation brought before us.

Chitra
Jakarta

The important thing Indonesians have to remember is that they need to push ahead with the process of democratization.

The government should be wiser and respond to statements made by the public through freedom of speech, such as petitions, mass media, or demonstrations.

They should consider these aspirations and translate them into better policies for the interests of the people.

I think democracy in Indonesia is moving in an appropriate way toward bridging the aspirations of Indonesians. Long live Indonesia.

Suprayogi
Bandung

Believe it or not, Indonesia is still here, despite all the turmoil it has experienced so far. The biggest challenge faced by this country is to finish the process of democratization. The people of Indonesia are not yet ready to understand what a true democracy is.

We are supposed to be the third largest democratic country in the world, but we still have religious groups who are not tolerant to other faiths.

If we follow this track, we will have an Iranian style system of government. Long live Indonesia and we will be praying for you to keep out the fanatics.

Herly
Denpasar

First, congratulations to RI on this 64th anniversary of independence. What Indonesia needs to survive already exists, because it is enshrined in the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila state ideology. The republic has survived this far through some very troubled times because of those principles.

Those who seek to undermine the principles of the Constitution and Pancasila are the only ones who could destroy Indonesia, be they regional separatists or advocates of an Islamic caliphate.

David
Jakarta

The declaration of Indonesian independence on Aug. 17, 1945, was based on the solidarity of people who had been long suffering under the colonial era both during the Dutch occupation and the Japanese invasion.

All people, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, fought hand in hand for their basic human rights and for the nation. They sacrificed their lives and fortunes for a new chance and a better future.

Indonesia should keep solidarity strong among its people. The government should give attention to regions outside Java and develop those areas so that they have stronger economies.

Politicians should really be working hard to ease the gap between Java (Jakarta in particular) and other regions. Through such an effort, they could live far from the central government and still not feel neglected.

Rihat Hutagalung
Jakarta

The very simple answer is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. To be successful this requirement needs to be respected by all.

Keith Hooper
Willetton, Australia

We need more tolerance when it comes to religious freedom.

Yanti Nurdianti
Jakarta

Go ahead Indonesia. All of you should try to be a host in your own country.

Afandi
Semarang

I need a good leader that can work for the good of the people and not for the sake of their political parties.

I need a professional and clean government, whose public servants really work for the sake of the people, not for the interests of individuals. I want all Indonesian children to receive a good education as they are needed for the survival of this country.

Deni Ahmad Fauzi
Jakarta

Happy anniversary Indonesia. Remember that Pancasila is our heart, the 1945 Constitution is our blood and unity in diversity is Indonesia. That's it. And we are going to be fine as a nation even when we face the difficulties of the global financial crisis, terrorist attacks, natural disaster, etc. God bless Indonesia.

Anna Suresh
Jakarta

Of course everyone will wish for an end to terrorist acts, which I also want, but on another note, Indonesia's major cities need an MRT system now!

I love my country, but we've been a joke to ourselves for a long time. An MRT system for our crumbling capital would be our saving grace. Believe it. I hear its been planned. We'll see. If the funding is corrupted it will fail though and we know it.

Saladdin
Jakarta

In celebrating Indonesia's 64th Independence Day we should honor our country's founding fathers: Sukarno and Hatta, who proclaimed our independence, and our heroes who died to defend it.

There is no reason at all to doubt Indonesia's survival as long as we uphold Pancasila as our state ideology.

Soebagjo Soetadji
Jakarta

Indonesia should remain as a peaceful democratic country, embracing diversity. We should also play a role as a big country to develop culture and civilization.

Miftahul Huda
Tangerang, Banten

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