Responding to ethnic conflicts<\/p>\n
There has been a general increase in ethnic conflicts in the
\ncountry lately. The recent outbreak of an ethnic conflict in
\nKramat Jati market, East Jakarta, is just one example. And Krmat
\nJati was still tense on Feb. 25 following the clash between
\ntraders.<\/p>\n
Local people are afraid a \"small\" clash will spark a bigger
\nethnic conflict. Security guards have striven to prevent the
\nsituation from deteriorating by arranging a meeting between the
\ntwo conflicting groups. Irrespective of the possible involvement
\nof third parties, such conflicts have broken out in various
\nareas.<\/p>\n
Have people lost their awareness of the need to preserve
\nnational unity and integrity? Probably some people have lost this
\nawareness. The increasing tendency to gather together in separate
\ngroups has become a common threat, causing the nation to be
\ndivided.<\/p>\n
The current economic and social crisis is perhaps one factor
\nthat has led to this grouping. The crisis can cause people to
\ndoubt the values of unity touted in the past. People tend to seek
\nprotection among their own groups because they no longer
\nfeel protected by the state.<\/p>\n
As is happens, more and more groups representing regions have
\nemerged. These groups, which at first focused on improving the
\nwelfare of their members, have been much influenced by the spirit
\nof regionalism and have even tended to mutate into ethnic groups.<\/p>\n
To cope with the threat of such grouping, the government
\nshould spare no effort in enforcing the laws of this country.<\/p>\n
-- Suara Karya, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/responding-to-ethnic-conflicts-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }