Reform in attitude

Reform in attitude

Chinese-Indonesians are often blamed for an assortment of
things and become the scapegoats whenever anything goes wrong.
They are the easiest target because they are a minority. In
normal circumstances, the not so kind sentiment toward the ethnic
Chinese remains hidden. But in a difficult situation where life
becomes increasingly hard and people get frustrated, the hatred,
prejudice and jealousy that normally stays buried in many native
Indonesians start coming to the surface and run wild without
control.

I agree with Peter Fanning's comments in his letter of June 4.
The media should wisely create an atmosphere of unity and
understanding among ethnic groups instead of encouraging biased
sentiments to develop.

Ethnic Chinese as well as any other ethnic groups that make up
the Indonesian population deserve legal protection. Every citizen
has the right to have a sense of security in the country where
he/she lives. When ethnic Chinese find themselves being
victimized, and their physical safety being threatened and
endangered, they have every right to flee to save their lives. It
is logical as well as in accordance with human rights.

Or is the horrible scene of ethnic Chinese being helplessly
victimized, neglected, having their achievements of a lifetime
and hard work destroyed, their shops and houses looted and burned
down, is that what people would like to see?

No matter what justification a person seems to think there may
be, it is very indecent and incorrect for us to allow or tolerate
any violent actions against innocent people.

In a time of crisis, blaming each other will only make the
country even more vulnerable. While everyone seems to be calling
for reform in every aspect, will there be any room for reform in
the attitude toward and treatment of the ethnic Chinese minority
here?

JENNY LAURITZ KHOENG

Jakarta