Teks Reading “President Soekarno of Indonesia”

This twentieth century has been a period of terrific dynamism. Perhaps the last fifty years have seen more developments and more material progress than the previous five hundred years. Man has learned to control many of the scourges, which once threatened him.

He has learned to consume distance. He has learned to project his voice and his picture across oceans and continents. He has learned how to make the desert bloom and the plants of the earth increase their bounty. He has learned how to release the immense forces locked in the smallest particles of matter.

But has man’s political skill marched hand-in-hand with his technical and scientific skill? The answer is No! The political skill of man has been far outstripped by technical skill, the result of this is fear. And man gasps for safety and morality.

Perhaps now more than at any other moment in the history of the world, society, government and statesmanship needs to be based upon the highest code of morality and ethics. And in political terms, what is the highest code of morality?

It is the subordination of everything to the well being of mankind. But today we are faced with a situation where the well being of mankind is not always the primary consideration. Many who are in places of high power think, rather, of controlling the world.

Yes, we are living in a world of fear. The life of man today is corroded and made bitter by fear. Fear of future, fear of hydrogen bomb, fear of ideologies. Perhaps this fear is a greater danger than the danger itself, because it is fear, which drives men to act foolishly, to act thoughtlessly, to act dangerously.

All of us, I am certain, are united by more important things than those, which superficially divide us. We are united, for instance, by a common detestation of colonialism in whatever form it appears. We are united by a common detestation of racialism.

And we are united by a common determination to preserve and stabilize peace in the world. We are often told, “Colonialism is dead.” Let us not be deceived or even soothed by that. I say to you, colonialism is not yet dead. How can we say it is dead, so long as vast areas of Asia and Africa are unfree.

And, I beg of you do not think of colonialism only in the classic form, which we of Indonesia, and our brothers in different parts of Asia and Africa, knew. Colonialism has also its modern dress, in the form of economic control, intellectual control, and actual physical control by a small but alien community within a nation.

It is a skillful and determined enemy, and it appears in many guises. It does not give up its loot easily. Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and one which must be eradicated from the earth.

Jawaban Reading Activity “President Soekarno of Indonesia”

1. Do you think politics has changed much since the time of President Sukarno?

Yes, I do, politics has changed much since the time of President Sukarno. As we know, he finally proclaimed Indonesia’s independence from colonialism.

2. Why did President Sukarno want everyone to be united?

Because the life of man today is corroded and made bitter by fear. So, everyone need to be united. We are united, for instance, by a common detestation of colonialism in whatever form it appears. We are united by a common detestation of racialism. And we are united by a common determination to preserve and stabilize peace in the world.

3. What is the new kind of colonialism that President Sukarno is talking about? Does it still exist? If yes, please describe in what ways? Support your answers with examples.

Yes, colonialism still exist and has also its modern dress, in the form of economic control, intellectual control, and actual physical control by a small but alien community within a nation. It is a skillful and determined enemy, and it appears in many guises.

4. From this article, can you figure out President Sukarno’s hopes and dreams for the world? Explain.

President Soekarno hopes that colonialism must be eradicated from the earth.

5. What are your hopes and dreams for the world and especially for your country? Describe.

I hope for peaceful and save for Indonesia: all religions could truly live in peace and respect with each other; where politics is truly from the people, by the people, for the people; the rich and the less fortunate people can live in respect with each other; I dream that greed, hate, and violence would be completely wiped out from Indonesian and to be replaced with generosity, love, and kindness.

6. Do you think President Sukarno was able to realize his dreams and hopes? If yes, how?

Yes, I think President Soekarno was able to realize his dreams and hopes to unite countries against imperialism and racism through the Asia-Africa Conference.

7. According to President Sukarno, peace is very important. What do you think? Discuss.

Peace is the most important think because we are living in a world of fear. The life of man today is corroded and made bitter by fear. Fear of future, fear of hydrogen bomb, fear of ideologies. Perhaps this fear is a greater danger than the danger itself, because it is fear, which drives men to act foolishly, to act thoughtlessly, to act dangerously. So, we need peaceful and we are united by a common determination to preserve and stabilize peace in the world. 

8. If you were given a chance to give a speech in front of all the presidents and prime ministers of the world, what would you talk about? Discuss in details.

I would like to talk about all of my dreams and hopes for Indonesia as stated above (number 5).

Usai menyimak pemaparan diatas, kini kamu makin mahir menguasai seputar materi “President Soekarno of Indonesia: Speech at the Opening of the Bandung Conference, April 18, 1955” .

Oiya, Minco alias Mimin KOCO juga mau kasih bocoran, nih kalau KOCO Star juga menyediakan media pembelajaran jika kamu masih butuh penjelasan yang lebih lengkap lagi. Langsung klik gambar banner ini, ya!

Dapatkan juga akses ke ribuan materi atau video belajar Matematika, IPA, IPS, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Inggris, dan mapel lainnya, serta bantuan langsung dari para guru secara live online melalui KODIO Learning.