As for the call for own, separate, administrative units for ethnic, cultural and/or religious entities, I guess it is, speaking in general, a sensible concept. But in order for successful development there has to be economical potential and a some socio-political infra-structure from the start- it is hardly conceivable that the new province or district can be build from scratch. Some of these decisions may have been taken overnight, too hastily..

Although the recent ( last four, five years) policy of decentralization of power from “Jakarta” to the provinces, I think, is a sensible concept also – speaking in general once more. It, for instance, allows for provinces to secure their own financial sources. However, some revision may be necessary; there are disturbing reports that the formerly “centralized corruption” has been decentralized in the process as well. And I think it has been quite a gamble to give provinces pretty far reaching authority on implementing own legislation.

Anyhow, I’m thankful for your instructive account – which by the way is even more fascinating to me because you seem to follow about the same route as my wife and I did some twenty years ago.