Look into your hearts

I am writing in response to Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo's letter on Sun Tsu in The Jakarta Post of Oct. 17.

We ethnic Chinese-Indonesians, who have no conglomerates and are not profiteers of the state, have indeed come to realize that as a minority group we are making no demands whatsoever with regard to the mid-May riots. Only a number of non-governmental organizations abroad, following the voice of their heart and conscience, do so by focusing on the human rights violations.

As citizens of Chinese descent, we feel that we are only part of the Indonesian nation and that we are no enemies (in Sun Tsu). After seeing and experiencing the May 13 to May 15 riots, we can only entrust the safety of our life and our wealth, if there is still some left, to God the Almighty.

As Chinese-Indonesians, we would only like to invoke the understanding of people with thoughts and views like Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo to look into their hearts and keep a clear mind when assessing the question of the ethnic Chinese. Please do not generalize that all ethnic Chinese do nothing good. We are convinced that many indigenous Indonesians sympathize with us and condemn what happened during the riots.

JULIA PUSPADEWI T.

Jakarta