Drifting toward disarray

The country had barely begun to recover from the shock of the deadly riots that swept Jakarta's Ketapang neighborhood on Sunday, Nov. 22, before another blow jolted the nation. On Monday thousands of people rampaged through the streets of Kupang, the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara, vandalizing property and burning mosques, apparently in retaliation for the burning of churches in Jakarta. At least six mosques were burned or vandalized and much property was destroyed.

Mercifully, no human casualties have so far been reported in this latest incident. Still, in the climate of confusion and disorder that hangs over the country at present, Indonesians may find little comfort in this crumb of comfort. For the truth is that in both the Ketapang and the Kupang incidents, Indonesians have seen brother pitted against brother, often in deadly combat, merely because -- if appearances are anything to go by -- they differed in creed.

For many decades Indonesians have been taught to believe -- and to have others believe -- that theirs is the most tolerant nation on earth. For many years, especially in the early days of independence, this credo did indeed seem to be true. Religious and racial conflicts were rare, even though differences had always existed. Over the years, as the dividing lines became more sharply drawn by the process of evolution, those differences became more accentuated and things began to change. Even so, few of us appeared to be ready for the jolt that has come with the realization that, perhaps, Indonesia is no more immune to racial and religious conflict than other countries where such incidents are considered commonplace.

One may be tempted to ask what factors could have set this drift in motion. Whatever the answer, one thing stands out clearly: diversity is one of Indonesia's most prominent characteristics. Differences between population groups in this country have always existed and will continue to exist. What this implies is that our unity as a nation is not something that can be taken for granted, but something that can be maintained only with perseverance and wisdom. It is in this context that one must understand the calls that have been made by some of our most prominent and respected community and religious leaders in the wake of the latest incidents for government leaders and politicians to refrain from using potentially divisive issues, such as religion in particular, as tools to achieve their political ends.

Indonesia has been through quite enough bloody incidents since the fall of the New Order regime in May. The latest incidents that occurred in Jakarta and Kupang have brought this nation dangerously close to the brink of disarray. People have become susceptible to all kinds of rumors and speculation. As distrust spreads, different population groups are easily played off against each another. Rumors of political shenanigans being played out behind the scenes by mysterious actors are being circulated. All this could play into the hands of unscrupulous manipulators or politicians with agendas of their own.

Unless these latest conflicts can be controlled and confined, the danger is far from imaginary that this nation will be plunged into chaos. Endless feuding between groups could ensue that would sap what little energy the majority of us has left. It is to be hoped that every Indonesian, whatever his or her creed, leaning or political interest, realizes that what is at stake is not only the future of the nation as a whole, but that of their own children and grandchildren as well.