Ethnic Chinese refugees flock to W. Kalimantan

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)