PITI urges an end to societal segregation

PITI urges an end to societal segregation

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesians must overcome the imposed
colonial legacy of social divisions if the relationship between
ethnic Chinese and non-Chinese is to prosper, the caretaker
chairman of the Association of Indonesian Chinese Muslims (PITI)
Usman Effendy said.

Speaking at a seminar organized by the state-run Institute of
Islamic Religion (IAIN) Sunan Kalijaga, Usman pointed out that
the embedded societal segregation of the ethnic Chinese is a
vestige of Dutch colonial times which has survived in the modern
psyche.

He pointed out that during Dutch times those of Chinese
descent were often given special tasks including collecting taxes
and fees.

Dutch colonialists also classified them as second-class
citizens while non-Chinese locals were considered third class, he
said.

"The seeds of hostility have been planted and rooted so deep
that we have been psychologically construed to always worry and
be suspicious of each other," Usman said,

"It's now our task as Indonesian Chinese Muslims to act as
mediators to mend the relationship as well as eliminate suspicion
among people," he said.

He said if Indonesians can overcome this psychological
obstacle, it may also provide a new impetus to create harmony
among religious groups.

Usman claimed that there are presently some half a million
ethnic Chinese Muslims in the country, or about 5 percent of the
total population of Chinese Indonesians here.

PITI was set up in Jakarta in 1963 and was a fusion of the
Association of Chinese Muslims (PMT) and the Association of
Chinese Islam (PIT).(swa)