Racial ill-will

Racial ill-will

I think it is important for Indonesia to understand how and
why the appalling riots of mid-May came to pass. And an informed
debate on the subject is welcome. Masli Arman's contribution,
Ethnic Chinese at fault for riots, July 30, however, is most
unwelcome, as it is a distorted and incoherent effusion that
offers nothing but a window into the prejudiced and chaotic mind
of the author.

It is hard to know where to start in refuting Mr. Arman's
article, such is its rambling and disjointed nature. Broadly,
though, Mr. Arman blamed the riots on Chinese arrogance, and
trotted out three or four and isolated examples of discord
between Chinese-Indonesians and indigenous Indonesians which had
led to violence. It is true that such incidents may have
triggered mass violence. But Mr. Arman ups the ante to a
dangerous level when he suggests that this makes the riots the
fault of the Chinese. This is akin to blaming rape on women who
wear mini skirts. Even more sinister, though, is the implication
that the widespread atrocities committed against the Chinese are
a reasonable response to the isolated abuses and insults he
cites.

The Jakarta Post should not have given such prominence to Mr.
Arman's detestable views. The article contributed nothing to a
better understanding of a complex issue, and served only to
heighten racial ill-will. I hope that the Post will show better
judgment in future.

RODERICK BRAZIER

Jakarta