I'm an Indonesian of Chinese descent

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