A loss of reason<\/p>\n
In times of crisis base emotions often triumph over reason.
\nFor Indonesians, this age-old axiom is not hard to understand at
\nthis particular point in their history as a nation. It is, after
\nall, a truism that explains the wave of unrest and rioting that
\nhas in the past weeks hit a growing number of towns in several of
\nthis country's provinces. Accustomed to three decades of economic
\ngrowth and relative affluence, most Indonesians still seem dazed
\nby the sudden and drastic turn which developments have taken in
\nthe past months. And as the crisis continues and has begun to
\naffect the lives and livelihoods of an increasing number of
\npeople, disbelief has often turned to impatience and anger in
\nmany.<\/p>\n
Although, generally speaking, it cannot be said that
\nIndonesians as a people are prone to violence, cases of unrest
\nand violence are certainly no extraordinary phenomena in this
\ncountry. Clashes have occurred from time to time in past years
\nbetween the authorities and groups of protesters with grievances
\nranging from corruption to human rights abuses. Usually, the
\nauthorities have little problem putting down such disturbances
\nand calm is restored until another issue rises to the surface. In
\nthe case of the present wave of riots that has hit a number of
\ntowns in the provinces, however, some new elements exist to
\nwarrant a more cautious approach in our efforts to quell the
\nunrest. As media reports indicate, the most important, if not the
\nsingle motive of the unrest so far has been the rising prices of
\nsome of the most basic commodities.<\/p>\n
Even in Jakarta, where for security reasons sufficient stocks
\nare probably maintained better than in the regions, complaints
\ncan be heard daily that basic necessities such as rice, sugar,
\ncooking oil and milk have become almost unaffordable to people in
\nthe lower income categories, pushing up prices of secondary
\ncommodities. As sustained hunger makes people desperate, it is
\neasy enough to understand that many people turn to rioting to
\nvent their anger against anyone or anything they perceive as
\nbeing the culprits in a situation. There can be little doubt that
\nthe authorities in Jakarta are well aware of these circumstances
\nand take this background into account as they try to maintain
\npublic order. It is to be hoped the same wisdom will inspire the
\nregional authorities in their actions.<\/p>\n
One disturbing element in all this meanwhile deserves to be
\nmentioned. The situation that prevails at present makes it all
\ntoo easy for unscrupulous elements to use the people's grievances
\nfor their own interests and to incite people to commit acts of
\nviolence, particularly against minority groups, who, being more
\nor less defenseless, make the most convenient scapegoats on whom
\nto blame anything that goes wrong. In the riots that have rocked
\nour provincial towns lately it is reportedly Chinese shop owners
\nwho have been the victims. Humanitarian considerations aside,
\nsuch acts clearly violate our own professed ideal of building a
\nsingle unified nation, undivided by differences of race or creed.
\nOf more immediate importance is the fact that such violence
\ndisrupts the normal course of business in the locality and thus
\nobstructs rather than helps efforts to ensure the public's
\neconomic interests.<\/p>\n
In conclusion it may be useful to remind ourselves that the
\nunrest and violence of the past days are one aspect of the crisis
\nwe, Indonesians, are at present experiencing as a nation. In such
\na situation, all of us -- both in government and outside --
\nshould have the good sense to avoid anything that could deepen
\nour anguish, muster the wisdom to ponder on whatever may have
\ngone wrong and make the necessary corrections in a peaceful and
\norderly manner.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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