Chinese 'an integral part of the nation'

JAKARTA (JP): Leading opposition figure Amien Rais, noting it is a historical fact Chinese-Indonesians have dominated the commercial sector, has said this does not lessen the reality that they are also an integral part of the nation.

Speaking at a luncheon organized by the Indonesian Executive Circle here yesterday, Amien said there was no reason why Indonesians of Chinese descent should not be treated fairly and equally.

"Their high capability in trade and commerce was a result of a long process and could not be separated from the country's history," the Muhammadiyah Moslem organization chairman said in response to a question from the audience.

Amien added that it was an undeniable fact ethnic Chinese were absorbed into the commercial sector in a long historical process.

As quoted by Antara, he recommended a policy which encouraged the ethnic Chinese and indigenous population to work together so the latter could learn from their capabilities and all could benefit.

Ethnic Chinese establishments were a particular target during the May riots.

But Amien expressed doubts at a reported mass exodus of Chinese-Indonesians in the wake of the riots.

He said it seemed improbable that more than 100,000 Chinese- Indonesians fled.

"I even have a friend who's the number one tycoon in Surabaya who told me that the Chinese-Indonesian businesspeople in Surabaya who fled abroad were no more than 100."

Amien urged those who remained abroad to return home to help rebuild the nation's tattered economy.

Despite the current dire situation, Amien said the country had alternatives and resources to rebuild its economy.

He pointed to abundant natural resources which could be sustainably exploited.

Amien, a reformist figure and critic of former president Soeharto's government, expressed regret that a number of government officials seemed insensitive to the hardships faced by the nation.

"This can be seen in the recent idea of presenting a Rp 26- billion gift to Pak Harto while President B.J. Habibie is trying to rebuild the people's confidence in the government," he said, in reference to a housing allowance approved for Soeharto.

He said the transition government under Habibie should continue to fight corruption, collusion and nepotism in the bureaucracy because it was a central demand of the reform movement.

He also urged the Armed Forces to continue investigating the looting, rapes and destruction during the riots and the abduction of several prodemocracy activists in recent months.

Asked about his plan to form a new political party, he said his friends had asked him not to reveal too much information about the party for the time being as the groundwork was ongoing.

"I have been asked not to hold a media conference about the new party in order not to worsen the political situation at home," he said.

Amien and colleagues in the People's Mandate Council recently said they would declare the establishment of a new political party, expected Aug. 17. (rms)