Breaking the ethnic divide

This is in response to the letter 'Minority and majority stock' by Zahar Indra, in The Jakarta Post on July 8, 1998.

As a student of Trisakti University, I regret to say that there are still people like you, Zahar Indra, who take issue with indigenous and nonindigenous matters. I hail from Surabaya and study in Jakarta. Undeniably, if you are in East Java, in Surabaya to be precise, you will find a big gap between the indigenous and the nonindigenous people. The root problem is that in the eyes of the indigenous people, ethnic Chinese are strange, selfish and the like so that they should be avoided. Obviously such an opinion must have its origin in the earlier generation of these indigenous people.

Residing in Jakarta, I find that the gap between the indigenous and the nonindigenous people is narrowing because, perhaps, I have educated indigenous friends with whom I can have a common understanding and also because we realize that we are social beings, essentially always depending on and helping one another in our lives.

In your letter, you raise problems about the participation of ethnic Chinese in regional dance performances. I can prove to you that there are ethnic Chinese who can perform the Legong dance. A friend of mine in Bali, who is of Chinese descent, can perform this dance.

Meanwhile, in the fight for Indonesia's independence, an uncle of mine took part in the struggle, which is evident from the medals of merit conferred on him for the battles he took part in. Isn't this suffice to prove the contribution that ethnic Chinese have made to this nation?

If you want to be honest with yourself, please go to a government school in Surabaya and I bet you will find no students of Chinese origin there. If someone of Chinese descent happens to pass the school, the students will shout "Chinese... Chinese... Chinese..." The percentage that a government school will accept students of Chinese origin is very low. It is an open secret that only a limited number of high school graduates of Chinese origin can be accepted in a state university. It is only natural, then, if things like these will continue to widen the gaps.

I do not deny that some ethnic Chinese have resorted to arbitrary acts and the like. However, in this era of reform, people like this must be brought to courts of law and subjected to a proper trial.

All in all, let me call on everyone to stay away from matters related to ethnicity, religion, racial origin and social groups (SARA) to ensure that this nation will become stronger and our unity solid.

LESLIE SOKA

Jakarta