Indonesian priorities<\/p>\n
While there are the twin bonding blocks of Islam and the
\nIndonesian language, there is much that could tear Indonesia
\napart. In times of economic development and growth, such
\nconflicts rarely broke out into open hostility, and when they did
\nthey were relatively easily contained. No one really wanted to
\nrisk growth by burning down shops or factories or otherwise
\nseeming to threaten the burgeoning prosperity.<\/p>\n
Now, of course, the situation is very different. Vast numbers
\nof Indonesians face desperate, wracking poverty, and they are
\nboth angry and desperate. Not surprisingly, they look to someone
\nto blame, someone to injure in retaliation.<\/p>\n
Much is being made of the alleged role of agents provocateurs
\nin the recent outbreaks of violence, with many and varied
\nconspiracy theories being thrown around.<\/p>\n
Probably, the truth will never be known, but certainly the
\npreconditions were all there for a spontaneous blaze. It may have
\nbeen deliberately lit, but the flames did not need a match to
\ntake hold.<\/p>\n
What is clear is that while increasing democracy is vital to
\npeace in Indonesia, this is an enormous undertaking in a state
\nwhere democratic institutions and organizations were kept in
\nalmost fetal form by the Soeharto dictatorship.<\/p>\n
More directly, Indonesians need hope, hope in particular on
\nthe economic front, that at least they will have enough food to
\neat tomorrow. To achieve that, existing distribution networks
\nneed to be maintained and fostered, not destroyed, and for that
\nthe government must protect the ethnic Chinese minority. Work
\nmust be put into developing agriculture right across the country
\nfor factory workers will have to return to farms.<\/p>\n
The rest of the world needs to take a full role, otherwise
\nIndonesia stands every chance of descending into a terrible
\ndownward spiral of violence.<\/p>\n
Loans, and even better direct aid, must be offered with a
\nminimum of preconditions, and full support provided to assist in
\ndealing with the environmental disasters that have accompanied
\nthe economic.<\/p>\n
Democracy certainly must be fostered, but filling hungry
\nbellies must be the first priority. If such steps are not taken,
\nthe potential consequences, both in terms of human suffering and
\nregional disruption, are truly immense.<\/p>\n
-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-priorities-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }