Religion, ethnics not the issue but seniority, money

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said pluralism was a blessing for Indonesia and not a threat to national unity. However, this sentiment is apparently not shared or understood by all Indonesians. An example of this is the threats by religious extremists ahead of the Christmas holiday. Some people clearly have not grasped the meaning or spirit of pluralism, and are thus easily provoked to participate in ethnic or religious conflicts -- often sparked by trivial incidents. The Jakarta Post's Abdul Khalik has delved into these sensitive issues. This is the last of four articles dealing with society's understanding of pluralism.

Dody, a first-year student at a private senior high school in Depok, has been absent for almost three weeks. He has decided not to come to school anymore.

"I have endured threats from my seniors for almost six months -- bullying me and stealing my money. They often beat me when I had no money," the 17-year-old said.

He once reported the problem to his parents, who immediately contacted the headmaster to file a complaint. The bullying then stopped, but only for two weeks, after which the bullies came at Dody with a vengeance.

"I could not focus on my studies and was living in fear. That's why I asked my parents to transfer me to another school, but they said they didn't have the money. So I have to stop studying until they can raise enough money," he said.

For many students, the biggest threat related to pluralism does not concern religions or ethnic differences, but hierarchical differences, whether in seniority or financially.

Students from various schools in the capital acknowledged that the differences in age or class level often led to bullying.

Aldi, a third-year student at SMA 84 senior high school in Kali Deres, West Jakarta, and Iqbal, a second-year at Suluh senior high, also in West Jakarta, said they often took money from new students to buy cigarettes and food if they were short of change.

"We demand respect from the junior students. Giving money means they pay us a tribute. But we never beat them up if they don't have the money," Aldi said.

Metri Annisa, chairwoman of SMA 70 senior high school student body (OSIS), said that besides bullying, the age difference between older and younger students remained a problem.

"First-year students are too afraid to talk to their seniors, while older students find it useless to mingle with their juniors," she said.

The age bias is often evident in the school cafeteria, where the best seats are usually taken by the third-years.

"The upperclassmen never beat their juniors, but they will 'intimidate' them into giving up their seats," Metri said.

SMA 70 has tried to avoid the divide by offering 22 extracurricular activities involving both upperclassmen and their juniors.

"All students must choose from the 22 activities. We hope that the activities will draw them together," said a teacher.

Youth observer Robby Chandra acknowledged that bullying, extortion and seniority-based prejudice was common at many schools, particularly those with great gaps in the social and economic statuses among the students.

"I don't have any data on the trend, but I believe fights among students are still a concern. They not only happen between students from different schools, but also among students at the same school," he said.

"Conflicts at school reflect an abuse of power or a family problem that is taken out of the home."