Mentality of the indigenous?

"Owned by indigenous Indonesian", "Indigenous Moslem", "Owned by pure-bred Indonesian": These phrases could be seen scrawled on the walls of buildings, shops and houses when Jakarta was rocked by riots several weeks ago.

What do all of these phrases indicate? What do they imply?

While reflecting on the horror experienced by some Jakartans due to the arson, looting, murder, torture and rape focussed on a certain social group, I have come to believe that some people in such a situation would do just about anything to save their own skin, even to the extent of betraying their own existence.

The following might ring in our ears: "To hell with my own real existence. What matters is that I am safe."

Ironically, the signs were also scrawled on the walls of houses and buildings owned by indigenous Indonesians as well. (In fact, the looters had no way of knowing whether or not the occupants were indigenous or not).

So, if we are really indigenous Indonesians, what's the use of scrawling these phrases on our house or business? To emphasize our own existence as the indigenous people of this land? Why is this necessary?

Our republic is proud of its saying Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) and the Pancasila ideology, but some of our people seem to have lost faith in God and no longer believe that He is omnipotent and the One who can save us and that we depend on Him. The angry looters have not only terrorized our humanity but also other people's faith.

How strong are these criminals? No matter how strong they are, God is their real opponent because God will defend the oppressed and will not let the hands of torture win.

The government has recently showed its good will to patch up the differences among different elements in society by scrapping the terms "indigenous" and "nonindigenous" and "indigenous citizens" and "citizens of foreign descent". Even citizens of foreign origin have the right to be called indigenous. However, things are not as simple as turning your palm.

Those claiming to be indigenous and involving themselves in the savage and uncivilized acts of terror during the May riots have deeply wounded those they victimized.

God is all-forgiving so it is also demanded of human beings to be also forgiving. Man must also be able to forgive.

God has created differences among human beings so that they can complement one another in goodness. So, why can't we appreciate these differences?

As I reflect on this issue, I seem to hear victimized Indonesians implore: "We don't even demand equality in rights, we simply beg to be accorded proper respect." We are a people who know how to respect other nations, aren't we?

IKATRI MEYNAR SIHOMBING

Jakarta