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)