Experts suggest openness to ease social tension<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Widespread social unrest could erupt unless the
\ngovernment honestly explains the causes of the economic crisis
\nand its strategy to end it, observers say.<\/p>\n
Psychologist Acuk Parsudi and criminologist Mulyana W. Kusuma
\nsaid in separate interviews with The Jakarta Post that the chief
\ncause of the social unrest was the soaring prices of essential
\ncommodities.<\/p>\n
Acuk, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia's school of
\npsychology, said the most severely affected were people who lived
\nin regions furthest from Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Acuk, who specializes in social psychology, said that the
\ndesired explanation must be given by President Soeharto himself.<\/p>\n
\"If he (Soeharto) is capable of good will, he should show it
\nby giving an explanation that can calm the people. This
\naccountability is awaited very much,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Mulyana, a lecturer at the same university, said the
\nexplanation should include information on the available amounts
\nof the basic commodities to ensure that people can get their
\ndaily essentials at reasonable prices.<\/p>\n
\"The people not only have to bear the brunt of the protracted
\neconomic crisis but they should also be prepared for what might
\nhappen next,\" he said. \"Now, there has never been an explanation
\nas to whether they will still have basic commodities in the
\nforeseeable future.\"<\/p>\n
Both experts were commenting on the increasing incidence of
\nviolence that has hit several towns in Java and Sulawesi.
\nHundreds of people attacked and looted shops following increases
\nin prices of basic commodities, especially kerosene used for
\ncooking.<\/p>\n
Over the past several weeks, mob violence has occurred in
\nTuban and Rembang in Central Java, Pasuruan in East Java, the
\nSouth Sulawesi capital of Ujungpandang and Banawa in Central
\nSulawesi.<\/p>\n
Acuk predicted that more violence was likely in impoverished
\nregions, such as Demak, Jepara and Pati in Central Java and where
\npolitical riots have happened in the past and in areas like
\nPasuruan, Jember and Banyuwangi in East Java, Banjarmasin in
\nSouth Kalimantan, Donggala in Central Sulawesi and Medan in North
\nSumatra.<\/p>\n
Acuk however warned against pushing the government for radical
\npolitical reform and immediate leadership succession by
\nmobilizing starving people to riot.<\/p>\n
\"They (certain interest groups) think now is the right time to
\nact and they will exploit the people's hunger and hatred of the
\nsystem. This is dangerous,\" he said without mentioning names.<\/p>\n
But Mulyana said that it was impossible to mobilize people for
\npolitical ends. The recent riots, he said, were motivated purely
\nby fear of starvation. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/experts-suggest-openness-to-ease-social-tension-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}