On racism: The root of the problem

Writing this piece it is not my intention to defend, even less to condone, the ugly riots and other inhumane acts committed last May. Having read the bitter exchange of letters on racism, I'm writing the following merely in an attempt to temper the heated sentiments on both sides by presenting a hitherto unmentioned third party that in my opinion could have started the problem: the demised Dutch colonial regime.

Part of its strategy to perpetuate its colonial might and control in subjugating the Indonesian people was to prevent them from developing economically. They theorized that the nationalist movement would remain blunt unless supported by economic strength. They thought an effective measure to prevent the indigenous people from economically developing was to create a buffer or "stooping layer" above them. For that purpose they facilitated Chinese immigrants -- then still poor but adept traders -- to become that layer, while discouraging indigenous people from leaving their traditional low-yielding livelihoods in agriculture and low-level bureaucracy.

Specific laws and regulations were created to that end, as old timers, especially of the legal profession and political activists, will remember. The ruse worked and the layer was effectively put in place, causing chagrin and the first feelings of resentment toward the ethnic Chinese. They on their part naturally made good use of the privileges legally accorded them and established themselves securely in small-, middle- and large- scale businesses throughout the archipelago, effectively shutting out indigenous would-be entrepreneurs, naturally also giving rise to growing anti-Chinese sentiment. That was the situation when the republic took over. The pent-up resentment would normally stay dormant, but would erupt when law and order was disrupted or slackened as did happen a few times in recent history.

The above-mentioned Dutch-produced discriminatory laws and ordonnanties were promptly revoked by the fledgling republican government and, in a bid to normalize state affairs, were replaced by new laws and regulations designed to encourage and facilitate native Indonesians to embark on business activities in line with national development programs. One immediate objective was the restoration of justice in the business world where the pie should be justly shared by all.

The Chinese, legally hanging on to what they had come to regard as their rightful position, have made the most of their head start. Feeling as a targeted minority, but generally enjoying a higher level of prosperity, they naturally rally -- more spiritually than physically -- to form a cohesive community, openly or surreptitiously cooperating in the defense of their acquired superiority. That in turn aggravates the existing resentment and has given fuel to allegations of being exclusive, haughty and egoistic and, worse still, of hampering national development.

My conclusion is that nowadays our problem undeniably has its roots in history, and the escalating problems besetting us now are clearly a legacy of Dutch colonialism. An aspect of the legacy is the unjustified socioeconomic chasm separating the ethnic Chinese from indigenous Indonesians. In the process of absolving the dividing factors, exaggerated actions and overreaction have been committed by both sides, which are not abnormal human behavior, but often aggravate the controversy that we now have to solve together, as a nation.

R. SUNARYO

Jakarta