An appeal to respect nation's diversity
Kekayaan, agama dan kekuasaan, Identitas dan Konflik di Indonesia (Timur) Modern (Wealth, religion and power, identity and conflict in modern (eastern) Indonesia); By P.M. Laksono et.al.; Kanisius in cooperation with Realino Study Institute in Yogyakarta, 1998; 154 pp + iii; Rp 13,500
YOGYAKARTA (JP): The song Dari Sabang Sampai Merauke (from Sabang to Merauke) reminds one of the expanse of the country, from the westernmost town to the easternmost place in Indonesia.
However, perhaps only a few would take the trouble to think about the song's title which reflects the striking distances and differences between the areas of Sabang and Merauke.
Reference to the song and the image it portrays introduces us to the first pages of the book, based on the results of a workshop in Yogyakarta in 1996 on problems in Indonesia's eastern provinces
Its introduction says it is aimed at reviewing the management of wealth. The purpose of the management of wealth in eastern Indonesia, it argues, "should not necessarily mean the impoverishment and enmity toward those who want to be different from uniformed modernity."
A quote from a local sums up the tensions in the drive to modernization: "before receiving assistance and being loved as the poor, we want to be recognized and accepted as 'others,' as different ..."
The experts contributing to the book are anthropologist P.M. Laksono, missionary Theo van den Broek, and researchers at the Realino Study Institute in Yogyakarta, Budi Susanto and A. Made Tony Supriatma.
The writers highlight historical developments leading to current conditions in eastern Indonesia and display their insight into basic assumptions sometimes referred to as "Jakarta ideas".
They give examples as to how assumptions, mainly those regarding the necessity to make Irian Jaya, for instance, "catch up" with the rest of the country, are propagated by civilian and military officials and even academia.
Exploitation, as perceived by the concerned scholars, generally acts in the name of development or modernization of eastern Indonesia. Local culture is often seen as an obstacle instead of part of the wealth of the country's cultural diversity.
Each chapter reflects the writers' conviction that these ideas are wrong and will forever worsen conditions in the area.
For government people, eastern areas have been considered one of the best "test sites" for career promotion. Inhospitable terrain with communities far-flung from central authorities pose a challenge to officials. If they succeed, they could well be promoted or transferred to a more developed region, usually to Java or somewhere in western Indonesia.
From the business point of view, the eastern islands are certainly a fertile and competitive area for investors. A number of foreign companies were pioneers long ago and many of them are now reaping the harvest. PT Freeport Indonesia boosted its business through the exploitation of copper and gold at Timika.
The Conoco oil company, in cooperation with Ingold, has expanded its wings in search of oil and minerals. Indonesia's eastern part is also coveted by many companies for its riches in wood. Two big plywood companies have been established in Sorong and Biak, while in the coastal areas of Fak-fak regency similar companies have arisen.
Memberamo was planned to be made into a hi-tech and large- scale industrial region. According to B.J. Habibie, then minister of research and technology, the Memberamo region was ideal to be made a blueprint for the development of industries requiring huge amounts of energy, like steel, aluminum and fiber.
The exploitation of the riches of Indonesia's eastern provinces is not only focused on natural resources. Under the flags of Visit Indonesia Year and Visit ASEAN Year, the cultural communities of Asmat, Baliem and Kei are examples of nonnatural wealth exposed to tourists.
Interests behind "exploitation" make international news. One was the 1 percent trust fund given by PT Freeport to surrounding communities which became a lengthy conflict among ethnic groups, resulting in a number of deaths among locals in Timika.
With the purpose of launching the government's efforts for "uniformity", the writers say, religious institutions hold an important role as a go-between for the interests of the "center" against the wishes of the local community. In general, the local community has great trust in religious institutions.
Van den Broek, chairman of the socio-economic committee of the Jayapura diocese, writes of the dilemmas of the church and how its role slowly changed into reflecting more sensitivity to the diversity of its surroundings.
Also interesting is the attached list of commodities including those in the hands of a few well-connected private business groups. The writers say the list at the end of the book is an extra reminder that such monopolies should not be repeated in eastern Indonesia.
-- Widya Prasetyanti
The writer is a social worker in Yogyakarta.