Limits on Chinese business supported<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Prominent businessman Sofyan Wanandi supported
\nyesterday a controversial notion that legislation be established
\nto preserve the businesses of indigenous Indonesians by barring
\nChinese traders from entering certain sectors.<\/p>\n
Sofyan, who is of Chinese descent, told a seminar on the
\ndichotomy of indigenous and nonindigenous people that well-
\nestablished businesspeople of Chinese descent should deal only
\nwith big businesses and leave smaller enterprises to indigenous
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
"The priority for smaller businesses should be given to medium
\nand small indigenous businesspeople only," he said, expressing
\nhis belief that such an arrangement would help dispel the
\ndichotomy between the two sides.<\/p>\n
An alternative to such legislation, however, would be to
\ndevelop a system of business partnerships, he said.<\/p>\n
"Medium and small businesspeople should be included in any big
\nprojects," he said, adding that the authorities should take steps
\nthat include the notion of such business partnerships in all
\ndeals of huge projects.<\/p>\n
"The authorities, for instance, can reject a project proposal
\nof a conglomerate if it fails to include smaller businesses as
\npartners," he said.<\/p>\n
Former home affairs minister Rudini suggested over the weekend
\nIndonesia needed to own up the problem of precarious relations
\nbetween indigenous and nonindigenous people, and find solutions
\nto it before it leads to national disintegration.<\/p>\n
Rudini suggested the wealth gap is at the root of the problem
\nin ethnic relations, with wealthy Chinese, who are dominant in
\ncommerce, on one side, and the relatively poor pribumi
\n(indigenous Indonesians) on the other. He also suggested that a
\nlaw be enacted to bar Chinese traders from some business sectors.<\/p>\n
People of Chinese descent make up 4 percent, or 8 million, of
\nIndonesia's population of 200 million. Some 200 indigenous and
\nChinese-owned top conglomerates control approximately 60 percent
\nof the Indonesian economy.<\/p>\n
Also yesterday, an indigenous Indonesian businessman from
\nUjungpandang, South Sulawesi, M. Jusuf Kalla shared Sofyan's
\nopinion.<\/p>\n
"Nonindigenous businessmen should not be involved in small
\nbusinesses or small projects anymore. They should leave them to
\nindigenous businessmen," Jusuf said.<\/p>\n
Sofyan, owner of the Gemala Group of businesses, said he was
\nnot playing around with his statement of commitment.<\/p>\n
"Most of us (well-established businesspeople of Chinese
\ndescent) disagree with the practices of monopoly here," he said,
\nin reference to some people's long-standing grievances that
\npeople of Chinese descent monopolize the Indonesian economy.<\/p>\n
However, he said that such a commitment to stay away from
\nsmall and medium-sized business activity would require a
\ngovernment guarantee that the laws would be fairly implemented.<\/p>\n
"The laws must be seriously upheld. Otherwise, people will
\ncreate their own laws whenever they are dissatisfied with the
\nsystem," he said.<\/p>\n
Military observer Maj. Gen. (ret) Z.A. Maulani said a
\nharmonious relationship between indigenous and nonindigenous
\nIndonesians would only be possible under a clean government.<\/p>\n
"The acute unhealthy and unfair collusion between bureaucrats
\nand businessmen of Chinese descent must be eradicated," he said
\nin a separate session.<\/p>\n
Sofyan said he was concerned with the fate of the minority of
\nIndonesians who are of Chinese descent because they have always
\nbeen the target of most mass riots in the country.<\/p>\n
"In the end, it is Indonesians of Chinese descent who became
\nthe victims," he said, citing the violence that the community
\nsuffered during a spate of riots over the past year.<\/p>\n
Sofyan said he was serious with his remarks.<\/p>\n
"I am a fourth generation Chinese, whose family emigrated from
\nChina five centuries ago," he said. "I cannot even speak Chinese,
\nneither can my father."<\/p>\n
Former governor of the National Resilience Institute Sayidiman
\nSuryohadiprojo suggested a greater effort is needed on the part
\nof nonindigenous Indonesians to live side-by-side with indigenous
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
"They should not form an exclusive community, but mingle with
\nothers," he said.<\/p>\n
Jusuf, however, said that indigenous Indonesians should not
\nfeel any jealousy toward nonindigenous businesspeople's success.<\/p>\n
"Indigenous Indonesians should...(instead) improve their
\ncapability...business skill and knowledge," he said. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/limits-on-chinese-business-supported-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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