Responding to ethnic conflicts

Responding to ethnic conflicts

There has been a general increase in ethnic conflicts in the country lately. The recent outbreak of an ethnic conflict in Kramat Jati market, East Jakarta, is just one example. And Krmat Jati was still tense on Feb. 25 following the clash between traders.

Local people are afraid a "small" clash will spark a bigger ethnic conflict. Security guards have striven to prevent the situation from deteriorating by arranging a meeting between the two conflicting groups. Irrespective of the possible involvement of third parties, such conflicts have broken out in various areas.

Have people lost their awareness of the need to preserve national unity and integrity? Probably some people have lost this awareness. The increasing tendency to gather together in separate groups has become a common threat, causing the nation to be divided.

The current economic and social crisis is perhaps one factor that has led to this grouping. The crisis can cause people to doubt the values of unity touted in the past. People tend to seek protection among their own groups because they no longer feel protected by the state.

As is happens, more and more groups representing regions have emerged. These groups, which at first focused on improving the welfare of their members, have been much influenced by the spirit of regionalism and have even tended to mutate into ethnic groups.

To cope with the threat of such grouping, the government should spare no effort in enforcing the laws of this country.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta