If Not Us, More Who?

Indonesia has abundant natural resources and creative human resources. As the Indonesian, we have to be proud of our nation because there are a lot of things that we can explore in our country like the natural and the human itself. As a creative nation, we already have many products of our country. And the simplest thing we can do to support the Indonesian products is to use them and use less the imported ones because our products are better than the imported ones.

First, the Indonesian made is more creative than the imported ones. There are so many products which produced by home industries. Each home industry represents its own brand for example, ‘Damn! I Love Indonesia’. It is a new brand which launched by Indonesian artist, Daniel Mananta or we know as VJ Daniel. This brand consists of various products like T-shirt, hat, bag or merchandises which show our proud of Indonesia. The reason why he used English in the brand and not in Bahasa is because he wants not only the Indonesians who love their country but also all the people around the world. Some of the sentences that really show our nationality are, ‘Damn! I Love Indonesia’, ‘Thanks God, I’m Indonesian’, and much more. Actually there is also a logo which helps us to love our national products. The logo is ‘100% Cinta Indonesia’. This logo was launched in April 2009 by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair. This logo is an effort to increase the nationality of using national’s products.

Secondly, the Indonesian made of quality is better than the imported ones. We all know that most of Indonesian products are home industries or handmade. It is not only expanding its products but also the society by using them as the workers. Although it is a handmade but we do not have to worry or underestimate the quality. Even our quality is much better than the imported ones because some of the materials that they used are very good which taken from our nature, for example on making a curving. The materials are the best ever that we have like use teak or mahogany as the main substance and the sculptures are very skillful. Another example is endorses Cibaduyut made leather shoes.

Lastly, the Indonesian made is more economical. The customers do not need to pay more to buy a product because it does not need a fee for delivery. Although we buy it from the distributor, we still have to pay the fee because it is the imported ones. In contrast, we do not have to pay more expensive if we buy a national product. And the price is cheaper if we still have to deliver the product to our house. We are not only proud of using national products but we also help them to survive in the business competition.

Actually, not only national products that make us proud of our country but also are our great legacy. We have Batik, Keris, Angklung, Kebaya, Wayang Kulit, Foods, Songs and many more. And in this case, who do not know Nelson Mandela? The anti-apartheid activist and the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. He is a faithful user of Batik. He has been wearing Batik shirts on many formal occasions and it eventually became his identity badge. If Nelson Mandela can love wearing Batik, can we? We have to be proud of being part in this country, Indonesia. We also have to be confident using or wearing our home products. Do not let other people or nations take them from our hands. We have to be aware of what we have and do not angry if someone taken them. Please save them, save our nation! If not us, more who?