Boat people from Indonesia?<\/p>\n
Much has been said and written about the plight of the
\nIndonesians who feel compelled to seek a better life in
\nneighboring countries, Malaysia and Singapore in particular.
\nThere also can be no question about the government's sincerity in
\ntrying to resolve the problem as well as is possible under the
\ncurrent very difficult circumstances.<\/p>\n
Yet, in spite of all that has been done, the uncomfortable
\nimpression is hard to shed that not enough attention is being
\npaid to the issue of Indonesians looking for jobs in neighboring
\nMalaysia and Singapore. No doubt, this lingering perception
\nsprings, at least in part, from the strong humanitarian dimension
\nof this particular problem.<\/p>\n
What is happening is that the fears that worsening economic
\nconditions in this country will force thousands of Indonesians to
\nmigrate overseas are becoming reality. And the economic and
\nhumanitarian consequences of this reality are huge.<\/p>\n
It was reported earlier this week that in Malaysia alone about
\n19,000 illegal migrants -- almost all of them Indonesians -- were
\nreported to have been arrested since January, which is twice the
\nnumber caught during the whole of last year. Police raids on
\nsquatter villages are launched almost nightly. The Malacca Strait
\nis being patrolled intensively by Malaysian navy and police boats
\nassisted by helicopters.<\/p>\n
Realizing the well-nigh impossibility of effectively stemming
\nthe tide of refugees coming from across the strait, Malaysia is
\npenalizing boat captains and citizens who are found to be
\nharboring illegal immigrants -- a measure that could be less
\neffective considering that many people from Indonesia have
\nsettled for years in Malaysia. Some of them are surely likely to
\noffer convenient hiding places for newcomers.<\/p>\n
To a lesser extent the same problems also confront Singapore.
\nBut while Malaysia offers Indonesians comparatively familiar
\ncultural and racial surroundings, Singapore presents would-be
\nrefugees a much more alien urban and racial environment, as well
\nas harsher penalties. Nevertheless, Singapore too is feeling the
\nimpact of Indonesia's economic crisis.<\/p>\n
To Indonesia's neighbors, the issue of the illegal workers
\npresents an awkward dilemma. On the one hand, both Singapore and
\nMalaysia have the well-being of their own people to take care of.
\nMalaysia, and to a considerably lesser extent Singapore, are also
\nfeeling the crunch of the regional crisis. Neither can afford to
\nplay host to tens of thousands of newcomers competing for jobs.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, we can be certain that neither Singapore
\nnor Malaysia is feeling very comfortable meting out harsh
\npunishments to people who, compelled by hunger and want, are
\ncoming to their shores to find a better life. In fact, the
\nMalaysian authorities in particular have already shown
\nconsiderable goodwill by allowing thousands of illegal Indonesian
\nmigrants to be employed in plantations.<\/p>\n
The big question now is what Indonesia can do to alleviate the
\nburden which the prolonged crisis has created for the masses of
\nIndonesians, especially the hundreds of thousands of people who
\nhave lost their jobs and their livelihoods. The stop-gap measures
\nthat have been taken so far certainly have their merits. But only
\na comprehensive solution will suffice to really allay the
\npressing burden. It is rather comforting to see that the latest
\nsignals emerging from the government seem to indicate that at
\nlast a real beginning is being made to drag the country out of
\nthe present crisis.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/boat-people-from-indonesia-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}