'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