'RI should learn from S. Africa'

'RI should learn from S. Africa'

JAKARTA: Indonesia should learn from South Africa in terms of
creating ethnic harmony given the latter's experience after years
of apartheid, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza
Mahendra said on Wednesday.

Yusril said on the sidelines of bilateral discussions with his
South African counterpart, Panuell Mpapa Maduna, that South
Africa had successfully overcome years of racial disparities,
problems that Indonesia was still suffering from.

"Their experience in resolving the blacks and whites issue
after apartheid should serve as a valuable lesson for Indonesia
as their leaders displayed huge political commitment in trying to
harmonize their society," he said.

He pointed out that former South African president Nelson
Mandela, who suffered years of imprisonment under the apartheid
regime, had been willing to pardon all of his former political
foes --Antara