Ethnic groups exchange views on differences<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A discussion on the relationship between
\nelements of the population who are of Malay and Chinese descent
\nheld on Saturday served to highlight deep divisions between the
\ntwo communities when feelings of exploitation and bias were
\nexpressed very emphatically.<\/p>\n
The discussion brought together people from many walks of
\nlife, and it was through their spontaneous comments that these
\ndeep rooted feelings were revealed.<\/p>\n
Organized by Tulor Teatra and chaired by social activists
\nDebra Yatim and Eka Budianta, the discussion was intended to give
\nboth sides an opportunity to exchange views on the sensitive
\nissue.<\/p>\n
Generally the non-Chinese regarded their Chinese compatriots
\nas \"economic animals\", while Chinese-Indonesians felt they were
\ntoo often treated as second class citizens.<\/p>\n
Ubay, a factory worker from Bekasi, West Java, was not shy to
\nadmit that his experience of working for ethnic Chinese employers
\nhad made him adverse to them.<\/p>\n
\"Frankly speaking, I am strongly anti-Chinese because as a
\nfactory worker I have never been well-treated or fairly paid by
\nmy Chinese bosses,\" he claimed.<\/p>\n
Ubay said the ethnic-Chinese tended to think only about
\nprofits and often used security officials to settle labor
\ndisputes.<\/p>\n
An ethnic-Chinese, Metta Dharmasaputra, said he was once
\nmistaken as a Sundanese by some new acquaintances and was amazed
\nat how people talked and made generalizations about the Chinese
\ncommunity in the country.<\/p>\n
\"It was a fascinating experience. I have known since my
\nchildhood that it is extremely difficult to live as a Chinese
\nperson here,\" said Metta, who works for a publishing company.<\/p>\n
Metta pointed out that despite the underlying misconceptions,
\nhis friends and neighbors eventually accepted him and treated him
\nas one of their own, but only after he had demonstrated his
\nsincerity to them.<\/p>\n
\"I studied in state schools and always tried to act as a real
\nIndonesian,\" he said, without explaining how a \"real\" Indonesian
\nacts.<\/p>\n
Introspection<\/p>\n
Bowo, a factory worker, said that if Chinese-Indonesians felt
\nthey were discriminated against they should look into the mirror
\nbecause some introspection would help them to become aware of
\ntheir position.<\/p>\n
\"In normal times they were very powerful and abused people for
\nprofit,\" he charged. \"Now things have suddenly changed and
\ntragedy befalls, then they suddenly scream for justice\".<\/p>\n
The issue of ethnic tensions between the Chinese-Indonesian
\ncommunity and those of Malay descent came to the fore when the
\nformer were targeted by mobs during the mass rioting which hit
\nmajor cities across the country last month.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, commercial areas and shops operated by Chinese-
\nIndonesians were looted and burned. Reports that many Chinese
\nwomen were raped and sexually assaulted during the calamity have
\nalso emerged.<\/p>\n
In the wake of the riots there has been increasing debate on
\nthe role of those of Chinese descent in Indonesia. During the
\nSoeharto era, public debates on such issues were considered
\ntaboo.<\/p>\n
While the ethnic Chinese make up only 4 percent of the
\npopulation, they dominate the national economy.<\/p>\n
Debra Yatim yesterday questioned the humanity of all
\nIndonesians for allowing and committing the atrocities which
\noccurred during the riots.<\/p>\n
\"What is wrong with us?\" Debra said.<\/p>\n
Similarly, internationally acclaimed writer Pramoedya Ananta
\nToer said that he was outraged by the incidents.<\/p>\n
\"I do not understand why a nation like ours, which is so proud
\nof our Pancasila ideology, could commit such uncivilized crimes,\"
\nPramoedya said.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that while events over the past few years had
\nserved to exacerbate the perceptions, the root of the problem
\ngoes back several centuries to Dutch colonial times.<\/p>\n
He argued that while all suffered under Dutch rule, the non-
\nindigenous population, particularly the Chinese, were often
\ngranted a favored status to allow them to run the commercial
\nsector on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n
What is regrettable, Pramoedya said, was that the national
\ngovernment, especially under Soeharto, had adopted similar
\npractices, thereby widening the economic gap between Chinese-
\nIndonesians and the rest of the country's population. (prb)<\/p>",
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