I'm an Indonesian of Chinese descent

I was upset when I read a letter from Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo (Your Letters, May 30, 1998). How could I help not feeling so, as practically everybody knows that from the National Awakening period up to the proclamation of independence, and from the time Indonesia was led by Bung Karno up to the time when the country was under Soeharto many (not all, of course) Indonesians of Chinese descent fought shoulder to shoulder with indigenous Indonesians. Some living witnesses to this are still alive.

I am said to be an Indonesian of Chinese origin because I am yellow-skinned and slit-eyed, although my mother's grandmother was a native Indonesian.

I am 25 years old. As soon as I completed university, I chose to develop my parents' business. I refused job offers from national and multinational companies. So to speak, I was entrusted to manage a furniture company, at the time not doing well and with only one employee. That was two years ago. Now the business has developed well enough and has a staff of 14.

I always try to develop the thinking ability of all my employees so that we are now a strong team. I always encourage them to broaden their knowledge. Some of them are sent to an English course, for which the shop pays. This year I plan to give scholarships to two of my employees so that they can continue their studies at university.

In addition, I have also given a sort of one-school-year scholarship to a number of children from poor families.

Please, Mr Sumarsono, please note that all that have received my aid are indigenous.

Let me tell you another thing, Mr Sumarsono. Some time ago I planned to go abroad to obtain a master's degree. When my employees got wind of it, many of them persuaded me not to leave them. Likewise, many of my business colleagues, both indigenous Indonesians and Indonesians of Chinese and Arabic descent, offered to adopt me as their son.

Mr Sumarsono, I am one of the victims of the violent riots, looting and arson on May 14. If I may be allowed to ask, this is my question: What is my sin to this beloved nation? If ever I can meet the rioters, the looters and the arsonists, I, to quote what Anton Medan said in his recent article in Kompas, would like to put this question to them: What have you done for this nation?

Now, please, Mr Sumarsono, allow me to respond to your conclusion, which you say came from your wife, that many indigenous Indonesians of Chinese descent have ugly mentality because they keep passports which they may use at any time to leave behind this beloved nation. First, to have passports so that they will come in handy when needed is not the sole privilege of indigenous Indonesians of Chinese origin. Second, their fear justifies them making such preparation and plans, something which is very natural and human.

Yes, please, Mr Sumarsono, imagine that your daughter is brutally gang raped and your wife stripped naked in public -- these were real cases in Jakarta and Surakarta. How will you feel, dear Mr Sumarsono?

Please, please, Mr Sumarsono, please put everything in proportion. Indeed, many Indonesians of Chinese descent have ugly mentality. However, there are still many more who sincerely love this nation with all their hearts.

LUTHER TEGUH KRISNA SAPUTRA

Kartasura, Central Java