Ethnic Chinese refugees flock to W. Kalimantan

PONTIANAK (JP): Since May, many vehicles with Jakarta license plates, from pickups to sedans, have become a common sight in the streets of various towns in West Kalimantan. Also since May, inhabitants of the province have increased due to ethnic Chinese from Greater Jakarta, Surabaya, Surakarta (Solo) and other cities in Java fleeing here.

They can be found not only in the provincial capital of Pontianak but also in small towns and villages. After Pontianak, Singkawang has received the most ethnic Chinese "refugees", followed by Sungai Pinyuh, Ketapang, Sanggau and Sintang.

The presence of the refugees is not immediately palpable because most of them stay with their parents or relatives in the province. In Pontianak, only a few have bought or rented houses. Therefore, there has been no increase in property prices other than that caused by the economic crisis.

The majority of people who fled here were born and raised here. They went to Jakarta and other cities in Java to find work and to further their studies. Not all of them who worked had a high income. Most of them earned average salaries or less. They worked in the industrial sector or in shops.

There are no official data on the number of ethnic Chinese who fled to West Kalimantan. For example, at the village offices of Siantan Tengah and Benua Melayu Laut, which has the highest ethnic Chinese population, there are no data on the number of newcomers. Neither is there any information relating to newcomers at the Pontianak Barat regency office, the Pontianak mayoralty or the governor's office.

Neighborhood offices here are currently collecting data on the number of newcomers. The authorities are having difficulty in the work because most newcomers only stay temporarily in the city. From here, most of them continue on to towns or villages where they have relatives.

Although no precise data are available on the number of ethnic Chinese born here who have returned, it is estimated to be about 120,000.

Their children attend both state and private schools. Some children have temporarily stopped attending school because, in fleeing to this city, they did not bring school transfer documents with them. Others arrived after school registration closed.

"Many students wanted to register, but registration was over and the schools were full, so we could not admit them," said Herman, headmaster at Gembala Baik high school.

Some Chinese-Indonesians, whose workplaces and house were not destroyed during the May riots in Jakarta, have returned there, while others have stayed. The later might stay temporarily or permanently.

"I don't know what to do," said Rahmat, 45. In Jakarta he was a trader in clothes. When his shop-house was looted and torched he could only save his wife, three children, some cash and his bank savings.

"I have no capital to start business again. I am looking for work to provide for my family," he said in heavily accented Betawi (native Jakartan).

He has not had a job since May. Every day he assists a relative trader here.

Rahmat says many of his refugee friends are still without work. Those with capital have opened a business or joined a relative in business. They work here, others have started trade in villages in many parts of the province. Those without families and with enough money may go to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia or other neighboring countries to look for work.

In upper Siantan, Lena, having used all the money she brought with her from Jakarta, is selling toast door to door.

"My husband just started working again in Bekasi in August. I must sell toast to increase our income," said Lena, 55.

While here, she is staying with a younger sister. If the situation returns to normal, she will return to Bekasi.

She says that people whose houses and business were looted and torched will not return to Jakarta, especially those whose family members were abused or killed.

They do whatever work they can find to survive. "Life may be difficult in Pontianak. The important thing is to be safe," said Lena.

Some Chinese-Indonesian women look for husbands in the province. In some villages in Pontianak regency, according to a Catholic priest, there are ethnic Chinese women who ask about eligible men to whom they can introduce their daughters in hope of arranging marriage.

Positive

There are two main reasons for ethnic Chinese to choose the province as a safe haven. First, because they were born and raised here, so that coming here is like coming home where they still have relatives. Second, the province is considered the safest place. Since the arrival of Chinese in the province in 1745, there has never been a conflict between the indigenous inhabitants (Dayak and Malay) and the Chinese. The present generation of Chinese living in the province consider themselves to be indigenous. Assimilation between the Chinese and the Dayak and Malay in the province is better than in any other province in Indonesia.

In 1967, the Dayak chased the Chinese out of the Pontianak and Sambas regencies because some of them were sympathizers of a separatist movement. This movement was not an ethnic conflict but was part of a military strategy to eradicate separatists.

Chinese-Indonesians also choose the province because, according to them, it has good business prospects. Apart from its potential of rich natural resources, West Kalimantan has an overland route direct to Sarawak, Kucing (Malaysia). Many ethnic Chinese from Jakarta go to Malaysia via Pontianak.

Most people interviewed by The Jakarta Post view the settling of ethnic Chinese here in a positive light. There is only one condition to it. They must participate in social life and interact with other ethnic groups and adapt to local custom. They must assimilate and take part in community activities like voluntary work, sports.

"They should not only think of their business," said Haj Mahmud, a Malay citizen here.

According to Timanggong Maniamas Miden, a Dayak Kanayatn tribal chief, the presence of ethnic Chinese from Jakarta poses no problems. "It is good. Besides, they (the Chinese) have become one with the Dayak," he said.

It is the same with other citizens. They welcome the ethnic Chinese from Jakarta because they consider the ethnic Chinese to be Indonesian citizens with the same rights and obligations as citizens of other ethnic groups.

The regional administration considers the presence of ethnic Chinese here as positive. "It is positive. They are capable of advancing the economy in this province," said an official at the administration office. (Edi Petebang)