Experts suggest openness to ease social tension

Experts suggest openness to ease social tension

JAKARTA (JP): Widespread social unrest could erupt unless the
government honestly explains the causes of the economic crisis
and its strategy to end it, observers say.

Psychologist Acuk Parsudi and criminologist Mulyana W. Kusuma
said in separate interviews with The Jakarta Post that the chief
cause of the social unrest was the soaring prices of essential
commodities.

Acuk, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia's school of
psychology, said the most severely affected were people who lived
in regions furthest from Jakarta.

Acuk, who specializes in social psychology, said that the
desired explanation must be given by President Soeharto himself.

"If he (Soeharto) is capable of good will, he should show it
by giving an explanation that can calm the people. This
accountability is awaited very much," he said.

Mulyana, a lecturer at the same university, said the
explanation should include information on the available amounts
of the basic commodities to ensure that people can get their
daily essentials at reasonable prices.

"The people not only have to bear the brunt of the protracted
economic crisis but they should also be prepared for what might
happen next," he said. "Now, there has never been an explanation
as to whether they will still have basic commodities in the
foreseeable future."

Both experts were commenting on the increasing incidence of
violence that has hit several towns in Java and Sulawesi.
Hundreds of people attacked and looted shops following increases
in prices of basic commodities, especially kerosene used for
cooking.

Over the past several weeks, mob violence has occurred in
Tuban and Rembang in Central Java, Pasuruan in East Java, the
South Sulawesi capital of Ujungpandang and Banawa in Central
Sulawesi.

Acuk predicted that more violence was likely in impoverished
regions, such as Demak, Jepara and Pati in Central Java and where
political riots have happened in the past and in areas like
Pasuruan, Jember and Banyuwangi in East Java, Banjarmasin in
South Kalimantan, Donggala in Central Sulawesi and Medan in North
Sumatra.

Acuk however warned against pushing the government for radical
political reform and immediate leadership succession by
mobilizing starving people to riot.

"They (certain interest groups) think now is the right time to
act and they will exploit the people's hunger and hatred of the
system. This is dangerous," he said without mentioning names.

But Mulyana said that it was impossible to mobilize people for
political ends. The recent riots, he said, were motivated purely
by fear of starvation. (09)