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