Comments on Chinese-Indonesians' fleeing

JAKARTA (JP): The major riots that hit Jakarta, Surakarta, Medan and several other cities in May have worsened the crisis which has dogged Indonesia since July last year.

The violence, which is still continuing to a lesser extent, and uncertainties plaguing the country have scared away many wealthy people, especially the ethnic Chinese -- who are often used as scapegoats in times of national hardship.

Although no official statistics are available, it is understood that many Chinese-Indonesians have moved overseas to seek employment or start business in the aftermath of the riots. They may never return.

We asked several people close to the issue to share their thoughts with on emigration with The Jakarta Post. Here is what they had to say.

Prajogo Pangestu, timber tycoon: I was in Jakarta during the May riots. I saw no need to flee the country like many of my relatives and friends did. I have a good business here which I have developed over a long time, so I want to stay here as long as possible.

But I think it is a persons right to go or stay wherever they want. They are free to go to anywhere they choose, especially if they feel unsafe at home.

Abbas Adhar, chairman of the Association of Indonesian Wood Panel Producers (Apkindo): To be honest, I never have respect for people who run away from trouble. My feelings are the same for those who have left the country during the current economic crisis. Why didn't they do that when the country was safe and its economy still sound.

I'm not saying this because I am a pribumi (native Indonesian). But it's not fair (to flee abroad) because we have developed our businesses here, benefited from the country and enjoyed facilities extended by the government. So it is wrong to leave the country when it is in trouble. Those people think only about themselves. Don't they know that their departure has caused the country even more trouble?

Witarsa, a Jakarta entrepreneur: Mob violence has scared not only Chinese-Indonesians. It has scared everybody who feels their property may be targeted. After Jakarta and other major cities were looted and set ablaze, many people fled because they felt unsafe in Indonesia.

Although I am a native Indonesian, I am worried about the situation and I, too, want to migrate. If I could migrate, Australia would be my first choice. I know Australia pretty well because I used to work there for several years.

The monetary crisis that developed into a full-scale political and economic crisis has left Indonesia increasingly impoverished. What business do you think is viable at this time?

I'm afraid more people who have the capital, skills and professionalism will leave if the crisis is prolonged.

It is feared that demonstrations and mob violence will escalate ahead of the November session of the People's Consultative Assembly and next year's general election.

Teddy Nurcahyawan, a Chinese-Indonesian who runs a foreign language school in Jakarta: People fleeing abroad in times of tension at home is something usual.

They will live overseas on a temporary basis. Those who want to live there permanently need to make careful preparations. I have heard that many Indonesians have property in other countries.

They will return to Indonesia once they are sure that Indonesia is safe again. The government should do something too draw them back and not just offer verbal assurances.

Syamsir Alam, a postgraduate student at Pittsburgh University in the U.S., where he lives with his wife and three children: Fleeing abroad is the Chinese-Indonesians' spontaneous response to the violence in which they were targeted.

Thirty Indonesians, including those of Chinese descent, who are studying in Pittsburgh watch every development at home on the television, internet and newspapers.

We also spare dollars to help destitute people in Indonesia.

We think living here (in the United States) is better at the moment because it is peaceful and our children can get better education.

Hendro, an executive of an international Non-Governmental Organization: Riots, arson and looting in Jakarta and other cities have devastated our hope and left us in a very difficult situation.

Chinese-Indonesians have tried to assimilate with native Indonesians, but the results have not been encouraging so far.

There is no way to stop wealthy people from fleeing abroad but those who are less affluent would be lucky enough if they have enough money to move to other province such as Bali or West Kalimantan.

Hotma Timbul Hutapea, a lawyer of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute: We would suffer a great loss if the Chinese-Indonesian community left the country.

If such a thing happened, they would take away their money, skills and distribution network.

If one family, for example, has Rp 1 billion, what would happen if 500 or 1,000 families left the country?

I know that there are some businesspeople of Chinese descent who were Soeharto's cronies and gained undue benefits from the former president when he was in power. But I think those leaving the country don't belong to that category.

How do we get them to come back? It depends on the country's political situation.

Probably if Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid, the leader of Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization) or Megawati Soekarnoputri (ousted leader of the minority Indonesian Democratic Party) became president, they would return to the country. (gis/kod/jun)