Chinese-Indonesians launch think tank

Chinese-Indonesians launch think tank

JAKARTA: A group of Chinese-Indonesian professionals launched
on Friday a private think tank aimed at developing pluralism,
human rights and democracy.

The think tank, called the Center for National Affairs
(Elkasa), was founded by 15 people, including human rights
activist Esther I. Jusuf, researcher Alexander Irwan and
journalist Stanley.

The center will do social research, publish books, run a
library and host seminars on national issues.

During the ceremony on Friday, Elkasa introduced a book
written by Benny G. Setiono, titled Tionghoa in Political
Circles. Tionghoa refers to Indonesians of Chinese descent.

Elkasa is one of a number of mass organizations founded by
Chinese-Indonesians in the wake of the reform movement, which
helped bring down long-time ruler Soeharto. Indonesia's ethnic
Chinese community had been confined to business activities during
Soeharto's rule. -- JP