Observers condemn Banjarmasin riots, seek explanation
JAKARTA (JP): Observers condemned Friday's rioting in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan that left at least 133 people dead, and sought an explanation for the tragedy.
"Why have we become such a callous, cold-blooded nation?" asked Moslem scholar Amien Rais.
"There has been various scales of unrest, and yet there were still officials who said the situation was normal, safe and under control," he said. "We have sunk to a very low level of humanity."
Amien, who is also chairman of the 28 million-strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization, said there was no guarantee things would return to normal and the scars would be healed after the May 29 general election.
He said the government should examine the situation with "conscience" and realize that people will closely scrutinize the election procedure.
"The public is demanding change. If the poll does not proceed in a 'direct, free, confidential, honest and fair' manner, the people that showed their strength before, will do so again, and on an even larger scale," he said.
The rioting reportedly erupted when Golkar campaigning began before Friday prayers had finished, angering local Moslems. Amien said he had studied the unrest during the 27-day campaign period and noted many similarities.
"There's a very dangerous 'scenario' unfolding in the campaign unrest. There's a campaign to discredit Moslems, through a systematic effort to provoke their anger," he said.
He cited the attacks on three Islamic universities in Yogyakarta during the campaign period, and said the Banjarmasin Moslems were also provoked.
"Above all, I'm afraid this campaign has left a ticking time bomb. This has been the most violent campaign period... if demand for change for the better is not addressed, this becomes a time bomb," he said.
Tosari Widjaya, the secretary-general of the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) whose supporters were said to have been involved in the rioting, lamented the riot that claimed so many lives. He said the tragedy had left a dark cloud over the country's election history.
"I'm greatly concerned because people have again become victims," he said, adding that the party leadership planned to give a statement on the disaster pending reports from its Banjarmasin branch office.
He said the latest campaign violence in Banjarmasin, as well as the previous clashes in many parts of the country, represented a clash pitting Golkar supporters against the people. It was not the result of acrimonious rivalry between PPP and Golkar masses.
"Everybody, including government officials and leaders of the three poll contenders, must reflect on what people were actually saying by rioting, and think of what solution to take. Trying to pin the blame on some scapegoat is not enough," he said.
He said people had noticed unjust and unfair practices committed by certain government officials, despite their denial.
Tosari agreed with security authorities who said the riot broke out because some Banjarmasin residents or Golkar supporters were provoked.
"Security authorities must now disclose the culprits behind the tragedy and punish them heavily," he said.
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. said in a televised speech Saturday that election campaigns, which ended Friday, had been marred by disorder despite an all-out effort by the authorities to ensure security.
"We have observed that some disorder has occurred during the campaign activities in which a number of people have been injured and even killed," he said.
Violations of the campaign regulations will be dealt with, he said. (amd/swe)