Ethnic clashes deplored

Ethnic clashes deplored

From Forum Keadilan

In response to confusing reports in the media concerning riots in Sanggau Ledo, Bengkayang, Samalantan, and Tujuhbelas (Singkawang), West Kalimantan, we would like to comment on behalf of the community in the remote areas of the province.

We deplore the recent events which could threaten the unity and integrity of the nation. It is not true that the riots were the result of social jealousy and the social gap. If social jealousy and the social gap prompted the riots, we wonder why such an action was not directed toward the economically better established community.

In fact, the riots were prompted by different social-cultural backgrounds in the community. The indigenous people of West Kalimantan regard dangerous action and taking others' lives as a very extraordinary event, and not a personal matter. It is an action that involves a family or a communal group. On the other hand, some groups regard killing as an individual affair and it is considered a common event.

The indigenous people of West Kalimantan can live harmoniously with other ethnic communities. The turbulence was a reaction against violence by another ethnic group.

Tradition prohibits the indigenous people of West Kalimantan to carry weapons in public places. Our national law also regulates the same scheme.

We deeply deplore the statement in Sinar magazine (No.17/IV Jan. 11) made by Hamzah Haz, an Indonesian legislator from West Kalimantan. He said: "On the Sambas border there lives a community with a strongly-marked temperament. They were spoiled by the former Dutch colonialists. The community then became lazy and used to drink liquor. That is their tradition. They need education about the archipelagic concept."

TOBLAS RANGGIE

FREDERICK KUYAH

IRENIUS KADEM

DISMAS AJU

M. BASRIN