'May riots: A heartbreaking past'

'May riots: A heartbreaking past'

Six years ago, thousands of people were killed in systematic
riots in Greater Jakarta. With the passage of time, none of the
perpetrators, let alone the masterminds, has been taken to court.
The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents on the tragedy.

Hendrawan, 31, is a former badminton player who now works for
an oil company. He is of Chinese descent and lives in Cibubur,
East Jakarta, with his wife and two children:

Frankly, the May riots were a heartbreaking incident. We had
been striving to defend the Thomas Cup for the country in Hong
Kong, but what did we get in return?

Whenever anything went bad, people tended to blame Chinese-
Indonesians. What has happened is already in the past; let it
remain a dark moment in our history.

As for the issue of Republic of Indonesia Citizenship
Certificates (SKBRIs), I hoped (1992 Olympic gold medalists) Susi
Susanti and Alan Budikusuma would be the last victims. I know how
it feels. I thought I'd be the last to experience such
discrimination. Let's hope it won't happen again in the future.

Made Ardian, 26, is an activist with a human rights group. He
lives in Pejaten Barat, South Jakarta:

I urge families of May 1998 tragedy victims to keep on
fighting for their right to truth and justice. The investigation
results of a fact-finding team from the National Commission on
Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on the tragedy are stuck in the
Attorney General's Office (AGO). The office refuses to follow up
on the results, as it claims they are inadequate for the
prosecution of indicted human rights violations. I suspect
political power play is involved in that decision.

With regard to suspicions that some presidential candidates
may have been responsible for the human rights violations in the
tragedy, I also call on those who care about the victims, the
nation and human rights not to elect them.

It will be impossible to complete the investigation of the
tragedy if those people gain power. There will be a conflict of
interest. Moreover, as one vice presidential candidate is from
Komnas HAM, he would be politically compromised.

-- The Jakarta Post