Chinese-Indonesians long for end to discrimination

Chinese-Indonesians long for end to discrimination

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Chinese-Indonesians may experience a more festive lunar new year
in 2004, but eliminating long-standing bias against the ethnic
group is much more important, activists say.

"All of the celebrations clearly show the euphoria that has
resulted from the government's recognition of Chinese-
Indonesians' cultural rights. But, the recognition of cultural
rights must not be separated from civil rights," human rights
activist Frans Hendra Winarta told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

He said the government must continue to "liberate" Indonesians
of Chinese descent from discrimination that finds its roots in
the Dutch colonial era.

During Dutch colonial rule that lasted for more than three
centuries, the role of Chinese-Indonesians was limited to trade.

"Chinese-Indonesians need to get back their political and
civil rights," said Frans, a noted Chinese-Indonesian lawyer.

Ernawati Soegondo, secretary of the Advisory Council of the
Society of Chinese-Indonesians, meanwhile, said that Chinese-
Indonesians were still being discriminated against.

She particularly pointed to the fact that the government still
requires Chinese-Indonesians to produce the Republic of Indonesia
Citizenship Certificate (SBKRI) if they want to obtain documents
such as ID cards, passports and birth certificates.

Unlike Indonesians of other ethnic groups such as Indians and
Arabs, Chinese-Indonesians are required by law to apply for the
SKBRI to be officially recognized as Indonesian citizens.

"Chinese-Indonesian students are still required to submit
the SBKRI when enrolling at certain universities, particularly
state universities," Ernawati said.

She also noted that it was near impossible for Chinese-
Indonesians to join the Indonesian Military (TNI) or the National
Police.

The government has actually revoked some of the discriminatory
regulations since 1996, including the SBKRI. But, around 60
discriminatory laws and decrees of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) are still in place.

No less than three presidents -- B.J. Habibie, Abdurrahman
Wahid, and Megawati Soekarnoputri-- have issued decrees ordering
civil servants to treat all citizens equally regardless of their
ethnic group.

However, most government offices do not implement the decrees
due to the lack of ancillary regulations on the implementation of
those decrees.

"There is no political will on the part of some government
officials, therefore, they are reluctant to follow up the
government's decisions and continue to discriminate against
Chinese-Indonesians," Frans said.

He called on the government and other elements of the society
to support efforts to end all forms of discrimination against
Chinese-Indonesians.

"We thank the government for recognizing the lunar new year,
but the most important thing is to end all discrimination against
Chinese-Indonesians," Frans said.

Ernawati concurred, saying that Chinese-Indonesians have been
longing for years to be treated like other Indonesian citizens.

Indonesians of Chinese descent account for approximately 3
percent, or around six million, of the country's 215 million
people. However, they control over 60 percent of the country's
economy.

Following the abortive coup in 1965, which the government
blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), the government
introduced rules and regulations aimed at curbing the movement of
Chinese-Indonesians in the country. The PKI was affiliated with
the Chinese Communist Party.