Indonesia determined to solve racial issues
Indonesia determined to solve racial issues
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of National Development Planning
Ginandjar Kartasasmita said yesterday Indonesia would not adopt
the Malaysian way of solving racial issues.
"We'll solve the problem the Indonesian way," Ginandjar said
during the Indonesian-Malaysian business meeting.
Ginandjar did not elaborate on his remarks.
Analysts believe the racial issue remains a problem in
Indonesia despite government efforts to eliminate it.
Many less prosperous indigenous citizens are jealous of non-
indigenous citizens, in particular people of Chinese origin, due
to their wealth and connections to government.
People of Chinese origin make up less than 5 percent of
Indonesia's 200 million population, but control more than 60
percent of the country's economy.
Some parties, including chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry Aburizal Bakrie, have suggested the
government imitate Malaysia's methods of solving the racial
issue.
Sofjan Wanandi, spokesman for the Jimbaran conglomerate group
comprising many wealthy people of Chinese origin, praised
Malaysia's success in dealing with the issue. He believed
Indonesia could not simply copy Malaysia's policies.
"Today, the situation is different from 20 years ago when
Malaysia introduced its policy. What Malaysia did in the past
might be not effective now. Even Malaysia has changed its ways,"
he said.
He said the Indonesian government had tried to solve racial
issues through various programs aimed at elevating native
Indonesians. The programs include a scheme to promote business
partnerships between small and large firms, and a poverty
eradication program.
Sofjan said Indonesian businessmen of Chinese origin wanted
the program to succeed, but were discouraged because they were
still treated like foreigners by Indonesians.
"Let's accept them as Indonesian. They want to be treated like
any other ethnic group in this country, not as a scapegoat every
time there is a riot," Sofjan said. (jsk)