No end in sight for ban on Chinese language
No end in sight for ban on Chinese language
JAKARTA (JP): A senior official in charge of ethnic
integration said yesterday the ban on Chinese-language
publications should not be hastily relaxed, citing racial
concerns as the primary reason.
Responding to questions from journalists, Bakom-PKB chairman
Juwono Sudarsono said that as long as economic imbalances
prevailed, matters which could aggravate misperceptions and spark
racial tension should be avoided.
Bakom-PKB is a government-sponsored agency that promotes
social integration between ethnic groups, particularly between
those of Chinese origin and indigenous peoples.
"The SARA issue is still very sensitive," he said referring to
the popular Indonesian acronym for tribal affiliations, religion,
race and societal groups.
"We should progress in steps. Later, when the economic
partnership (between the rich and poor) is in full swing it (the
ban) can be relaxed," Juwono said, alluding to a widely held
perception that the ethnic Chinese are an economically privileged
class compared to indigenous Indonesians.
Indonesia has maintained stiff restrictions on Chinese-
language publications since the 1965 abortive Communist coup
which Jakarta believes was supported by Beijing. China denied the
allegation.
Legislation exists, such as a 1978 ministerial decree, banning
the import, sale or distribution of Chinese-language material.
Chinese characters are also barred from being displayed on
buildings in a dominant fashion.
Some restrictions have been relaxed in the last seven years
after Jakarta and Beijing resumed diplomatic ties severed in
1967.
In 1994 the government allowed locally printed tourist
pamphlets to be distributed to Chinese speaking tourists.
While acknowledging the amicable and growing ties between
Jakarta and Beijing, Juwono said the restrictions were still
necessary.
"Domestic political stability should come foremost," he said.
When asked whether he still thought the restrictions were
connected to a communist threat, Juwono quickly retorted: "It's
not the communist issue but the SARA issue ... What I mean is
that some indigenous people may feel very worried that the
influence of Chinese culture will become too strong," said
Juwono, who is also vice-governor of the National Resilience
Institute.
Separately foreign minister Ali Alatas also suggested a
methodical approach to relaxing the ban. "We'll look at the
matter from an overall perspective."
Alatas and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono are due in Hong
Kong this weekend to attend the handover of the British colony to
China.
Alatas said Jakarta has "no problem" with the "one China, two
system" approach which will be applied to Hong Kong.
He added that his British and Australian counterparts had
requested to meet him while he is in Hong Kong. (mds)