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)