Ethnic violence mars Indonesia's image

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