Ethnic violence mars Indonesia's image

Reports of continued anti-Chinese disturbances in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province are shocking and potentially damaging for the stability of the region. They also demonstrate how easily racial feelings can be aroused or, rather, re-aroused in a country where popular discontent already exists.

There are racial and historical reasons for the anti-Chinese sentiment in South Sulawesi and other parts of Indonesia. But there can be little doubt that the situation has been exacerbated by widespread economic difficulties, further aggravated by alleged corruption within the ruling party.

Nor can there be any doubt that the riots, which continued for a third day yesterday (Wednesday), will have an adverse affect on Indonesia's business recovery. Civil disorder leads to loss of confidence at an international level. Potential direct investment from overseas may be frightened away. The creation of a harmonious united society is a long and arduous process in a sprawling country like Indonesia. But it must be achieved. The authorities can no longer afford to conduct the nation's affairs on an "ad hoc" basis, sweeping inconvenient questions aside. The central government must take a long, hard look at the country's social and economic environment as well as the policies which have allowed a small minority of people to benefit from Indonesia's wealth at the expense of the vast majority of the population.

Remedial action must be taken now. If it isn't, isolated incidents will continue to touch off racial violence. Recent events in South Sulawesi have demonstrated that many of the people who participate in these disturbances are looking for an excuse to riot. In this case it was a brutal crime committed by an ethnic Chinese man believed to have been mentally disturbed. Tough action must be taken now to end to this endemic racial violence.

-- The Hong Kong Standard