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)