Religion, ethnics not the issue but seniority, money

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."