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Letters

Enriched cultures

I refer to 'Colonial mentality' (August 14).

As an Asian, I take strong exception to Vic Krishnan's assertion of the 'superiority' of Asian values.

No culture is superior to another. They are merely different, and we must all learn from one another. Remember that Gandhi borrowed heavily from Henry David Thoreau.

If Asians can borrow from the west only cartoons, fast food and soft drinks, then one can only pity us. But haven't we all learned from Shakespeare, enjoyed Mozart and been awed by Da Vinci? What about modern medicine and numerous technological advances that have enriched our lives?

I also take exception to Mr Krishnan's crass generalisations and lumping together of all Asian cultures into one entity. What are the similarities between Saudi Arabia and Mongolia or Kazakhstan and the Maldives?

I believe Mr Krishnan has a colonial hangover. I would remind him that racism practised by anyone, white, brown or green, is not worthy of anything but utter contempt.

MANASH BARTHAKUR, Lam Tin

Indonesian bombings

I refer to the article headlined 'Southeast Asian time bomb' (August 8).

The writer points totally to the Islamic fundamentalist group Jemaah Islamiah in the Indonesian bombings.

Why did these explosions not happen during the military-backed regimes of presidents Suharto and Habibie? Now, two big explosions have occurred within a very short time during the administration of President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Where did the terrorists get this large amount of military-type explosives?

Indonesia is changing to democracy and the army has lost much political power. I strongly suspect some senior army officers in these bombings and that they have used terrorist groups as scapegoats.

Under the military's influence, Indonesia's police can do nothing.

We know how the Indonesian army used brutality and cunning in East Timor. Until democratic political parties fully control the country, these bombings will keep happening.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

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