Respect freedom of expression

Brahma Putra writes:

"Islam as a political ideology is dangerous because there is no turning back — once the road is taken and theocracy takes hold, voting it out again is almost impossible. This is because such government has no checks and balances. And anyone opposing it can be easily branded a kafir, an apostate or a blasphemer, and sent to jail or worse. We have all seen how easily people in power can be corrupted. Imagine people in absolute power who can decide who lives and who dies, but, then again, Indonesians do not have to imagine. They know. It was, after all, only 13 years ago when the dictator of this country was ousted."

I must say these are powerful and brave words by someone who blogs in the Jakarta Globe. I would not dare someone to say their mind on this particular topic in public during the new order era, let alone today. Yes, we do now live in a country considered as having a fast-growing democrazy democracy after the fall of the late "dictator". Yes, freedom of the press (and speech) has also been roughly felt for quite some time now (just about). But, this kind of boldness in freedom of expression must still get the acknowledgement and respect that it deserves, if we seek to nurture and sustain its savor. So, respect to you and anyone who, again, has the balls to talk back and write their minds with unfettering grit and wit. In this day, Hari Kebangkitan Nasional, respect.