Ethnic hatred still a threat to melting pot city<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's statement that pluralism
\nhas proven to be a blessing for Indonesia rather than a threat to
\nnational unity, apparently is not understood by all. An example
\nof that is the terror threats by religious extremists ahead of
\nChristmas. Some people do not understand the meaning or spirit of
\npluralism, and are thus easily provoked to participate in ethnic
\nor religious conflicts -- often sparked by trivial incidents. The
\nJakarta Post's Abdul Khalik has delved into these sensitive
\nissues and this is the second of four articles dealing with
\nsociety's understanding of pluralism.<\/p>\n
Ali Basya, the community unit (RW) 10 chief of Kali Baru
\nsubdistrict in Bekasi, has struggled to understand the recent
\nclash between Ambonese residents of Titian Indah housing complex
\nand Betawi people outside the complex.<\/p>\n
\"An Ambonese man was Brushed by a motorcycle ridden by a
\nBetawi person. He scolded the motorcyclist but the motorcyclist
\nonly returned with more people and the seemingly trivial incident
\nescalated,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The July 17 incident caused people around the complex to unite
\nagainst the Ambonese. At least five people were seriously
\ninjured, while several buildings were destroyed and burned.<\/p>\n
Over 100 police officers were deployed to restore order. They
\nbuilt a barricade along the road, separating the two areas for
\ndays.<\/p>\n
After three days, the situation returned to normal and
\nrepresentatives of both sides were taken to Bekasi Police station
\nto sign a peace agreement.<\/p>\n
However, Ali expressed concern that, as socialization between
\nthe two ethnic groups was uncommon, such an incident could
\nreoccur.<\/p>\n
Sociologist Ida Ruwaida Noor of the University of Indonesia
\n(UI) agreed with Ali, saying that unless the root causes of the
\nproblem -- the economic and social gap, lack of communications
\nand history of conflicts between ethnic groups -- were not
\nadequately addressed by the government and society at large, such
\nconflicts would continue to reemerge.<\/p>\n
\"Our survey of conflicts nationwide has revealed that most of
\nthem were sparked by small matters. But since there is an
\nunderlying problem among ethnic groups, it is enough to spark a
\nbigger clash,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Data from the Central Statistics Bureau (BPS) shows that
\nJavanese people comprise the largest ethnic group with almost
\nthree million people of the Jakarta's nine million residents.
\nOther dominant ethnic groups are Betawi with 2.4 million,
\nSundanese 1.3 million, Chinese 500,000 and Batak 300,000. The
\nremaining 1.5 million are Minangkabau, Melayu and Palembang
\npeople.<\/p>\n
With such a multi-ethnic population, Jakarta is prone to
\nmiscommunication and conflicts, Ida said.<\/p>\n
\"Compounded by economic injustice, whereby one ethnic group is
\n'wealthier' than others, a little provocation is enough to spark
\na conflict,\" she added.<\/p>\n
Ida proposed that the city administration formulate a plan and
\nrelated policy to prevent such conflicts from recurring. The plan
\nand policy should be inherent in economic and social development
\nstrategies, she said.<\/p>\n
\"Recently, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas)
\ndesigned a sustainable peace development plan. They have termed
\nit 'conflict sensitive' development planning. I hope it can be
\nimplemented,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She said that the government should take into account feelings
\nof injustice that could arise among ethnic groups in the
\nimplementation of its development programs, such as the
\nconstruction of housing complexes, markets or offices.<\/p>\n
Major ethnic conflicts 1998-2004<\/p>\n
No. Incident Ethnic group involved Victims<\/p>\n
1. May riot 1998 Chinese and Betawi helped Hundreds of Chinese<\/p>\n
by other ethnic groups people reportedly<\/p>\n
were raped and<\/p>\n
killed<\/p>\n
2. Ketapang riot Multi-ethnic and religious Seven killed and<\/p>\n
Nov. 1998 brawl allegedly sparked by hundreds injured<\/p>\n
gambling and drinking<\/p>\n
3. Manggarai Multi-ethnic brawl Several people<\/p>\n
brawl 2000 killed, countless<\/p>\n
others injured and<\/p>\n
dozens of houses<\/p>\n
burned<\/p>\n
4. Kebayoran Lama Betawi and Madura sparked One killed and four<\/p>\n
clash 2001 by traffic accident injured<\/p>\n
5. Cakung riot, Betawi and Madura sparked 17 people injured<\/p>\n
March 2002 by jealousy over a woman<\/p>\n
6. Kalijodo riot, Makassar and Mandar sparked One killed,<\/p>\n
March 2002 by gambling hundreds of houses<\/p>\n
burned<\/p>\n
7. Duren Sawit Multi-ethnic sparked by 10 injured<\/p>\n
clash, August quarrel in dangdut<\/p>\n
2003 music show<\/p>\n
8. Titian Indah Ambonese and Betawi sparked Five injured,<\/p>\n
clash, 2004 by motorcycle accident several buildings<\/p>\n
burned<\/p>\n
Source: media reports<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ethnic-hatred-still-a-threat-to-melting-pot-city-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }