'Boycotting U.S. products could boomerang'

'Boycotting U.S. products could boomerang'

In response to the U.S.-led attack on Iraq that began last week,
some people have intimidated foreigners in the capital to express
their opposition to the war. Others opposed to the war have
called for a boycott of U.S. products. The Jakarta Post discussed
the issue with a number of residents who work for foreign-owned
companies.

Anton, 42, is an assistant manager at a foreign-owned
supermarket in South Jakarta. He lives in Tangerang, Banten, with
his wife and son:

Intimidating foreigners and boycotting products and foreign
interests goes too far. The foreigners or expatriates here in the
country have nothing to do with the war, even if it is their
countries waging the war.

The radical protesters don't have any sense, I guess. They
don't know that boycotting U.S. products and interests will only
boomerang on everyone here.

They don't see that their actions will create a new wave of
unemployment. I'm not sure these protesters have much concern for
humanity.

It the boycott happened, I imagine there would be much more
crime in the country as the unemployed did everything they could
to survive.

Yusup, 30, has been employed as a social worker for almost two
years at an institution in Central Jakarta. He lives in Kramat,
Central Jakarta:

I completely disagree with the radical groups expressing their
opposition by harassing expatriates.

I am afraid that there are vested interests behind their
protests. There could be some political or religious motives.
Maybe they are just trying to use the situation to promote
themselves.

I also wonder whether these radical protesters are really
concerned with humanity. Boycotts and intimidation are not about
humanitarian concerns. Worse, boycotting products and foreign
interests in Indonesia will severely affect our economy.

I would say that the protests should be more appropriate. Like
protests by interfaith leaders, which could be followed up on by
the government. These kinds of civilized protests will find a
more sympathetic audience.

I believe that there is still hope, despite the fact that
right now all doors seem closed. I'm of the opinion that we must
keep working to find a resolution.

Cahyo, 33, is an employee at a private company in Tomang, West
Jakarta. He lives in Pamulang, Tangerang, with his wife and
daughter:

Harassing expatriates in our country is completely wrong.
These foreigners are innocent, and many of them also oppose the
war. The governments of the warring countries are at fault, not
their citizens.

Besides, protesters here do not have the right to intimidate
foreigners.

They don't think about the consequences of their actions,
especially to future bilateral ties. Worse, the tourist industry
will suffer even more because not many foreign tourists will be
willing to come to Indonesia.

In terms of the economy, many foreign investors will pull out
of the country if they feel threatened. The same thing will
happen if radical groups boycott foreign products and interests
here. And our country depends on imported products.

Worse, as a marketing employee, I would feel the impact of the
protests because most of my targets are foreign companies.

-- Leo Wahyudi S