Name – NIM: Peter Vincent Kusuma – 77221658

Class: English for PKBN 23

UNIT 12 – MEETING 4 - PRIORITIZING NATION’S INTERESTS OVER PERSONAL OR

GROUP’S INTERESTS

B. Critical Thinking: Responding to a Text

Think about these following questions, and then write your thoughts briefly.

1. In your opinion, why should citizens cooperate together even when they disagree with each other
in some public regulations or governmental laws?

 In my opinion, there needs to be cooperation between the people and the government because to
build a better and orderly country even though the government makes policies that are contrary
to public opinion. But it is in order to foster a sense of concern for the development of a country.

2. What are some best ways for young people to prioritize public or nation interests over personal
or group’s interests? Give some examples!

 First, National Commitment; as perspectives, attitudes and religious practices that have an impact
on loyalty to the basic consensus of nationality, namely: Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution of the
Republic of Indonesia, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
A person who practices religious teachings is the same as carrying out his obligations as a citizen;
as a citizen who fulfills obligations is a form of practicing religious teachings.
 Second, Tolerance; is fundamental in maintaining harmony and caring for Indonesia's diversity.
The principle of tolerance is the spirit of prioritizing equality and respecting differences; treat
other people as brothers who support each other in bonding brotherhood and establish true
brotherhood. In other words, humanizing other people according to their dignity as fellow human
beings.
 Third, Anti-Violence; where in carrying out the desired changes, do not use violent/extreme
methods, either through thoughts, speech or behavior, as well as those that are contrary to the
prevailing social system. However, using civilized methods based on thoughts, speech, and
behavior full of love (metta) and compassion (karuna) for others.

D. Agreeing & Disagreeing

c. Organize your response to those underlined or highlighted parts on the following graphic organizer.
Use the expression to agree and/or disagree to elaborate your opinion about the text:

Statement 1:

Protests in many Indonesian cities have turned violent as thousands of enraged students and workers
criticize a new law that they say will cripple labor rights and harm the environment.

 Agree. I’m agree with that because there is violence perpetrated by students against the
government because the government issues policies at will and does not pay attention to the long-
term effects that will be experienced by workers.

Statement 2:

Demonstrators also burned road barriers, several cars, a cinema and damaged several government offices.

 Disagree. I’m disagree with that because it is indeed permissible for us to speak out and oppose
policies as harshly as we can against the government, but we must not do things that are
detrimental to our country, such as destroying existing infrastructure, because that will have an
impact on the survival of a country.

Statement 3:

Indonesia’s top security minister, Mohammad Mahfud, told a televised news conference late Thursday
that the government would not tolerate any action of damaging public facilities and physical attacks on
police and community members.

 Agree. I’m agree with that because there are still certain boundaries and ethics that are allowed
to oppose the policy, but if it reaches the limit then consequences must be given for those that
damage public facilities.