Riot-hit areas told to start healing process

JAKARTA (JP): Administrations in riot-hit areas need to make simple, concerted and intensive efforts to start healing wounds, representatives of Muslim organizations and a sociologist said on Sunday.

Dialog and persuasion, in addition to local communal leaders taking a hands-on strategy to addressing problems, were strongly recommended.

An executive of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, Fajrul Falaakh, said residents of the Maluku capital of Ambon, which was torn by communal unrest in recent days, should immediately start working together to rebuild damaged mosques and churches.

"Build mosques, churches, houses, together. The structures do not have to be so terrific, but it is the intention that counts," Fajrul told The Jakarta Post.

"After that, people can continue their traditional peace- making rituals."

Leaders of the Maluku community in Jakarta and Ambon have urged traditional peace rites to heal any differences which might have led to the conflict.

Fajrul said people could not simply kiss and make up after such discord, "but they cannot stay forever in a fearful and hostile mood".

Ambon is the latest area in the country to be rocked by communal hostilities. Police said 54 people died and about 20,000 fled the city as mobs burned business establishments and houses of worship.

In East Nusa Tenggara, authorities are still trying to restore harmony following clashes in November in which 26 died. The reported trigger was suspected discrimination in the recruitment of civil servants, favoring an ethnic group close to local authorities.

The chairman of the second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, Syafi'i Ma'arif, added Sunday that settling the disputes locally was the only way to end feuding.

He said it would be possible in Ambon because community leaders acknowledged previously harmonious relations.

"The only hope we have is for all religious and communal leaders in riot-hit areas to truly enlighten followers about the danger of provocative action, and lead them to restraint."

Support from local non-governmental organizations is also crucial, he added.

"(Locals) need to coordinate with each other and (the government) always seems to be late in anticipating the incidents. So let's protect ourselves by strengthening unity."

Fajrul slammed the government for lacking a sense of crisis and overuse of rhetoric.

With the damage already done, Syafii said, the local administration was expected to be active in approaching and accommodating all citizens.

University of Indonesia sociologist J.F. Waraow also said the local government should depend more on persuasion to solve disputes.

Both Syafii and Fajrul questioned the Armed Forces' sensitivity in acting to quell disputes.

"Firm action by the Armed Forces is needed, but it has to be completed with wisdom and ability to analyze and map out the problem," Syafi'i said.

"This is what they lack."

He cited the "stupid and dangerous" raid on alleged separatist leader Ahmad Kandang in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, which led to 21 civilian deaths.

Fajrul said the deployment of troops from the Strategic Army Reserves Command to Ambon was of little use due to what he considered their lack of understanding of the situation.

The military, he said, should support conciliatory efforts among residents. Both NU and Muhammadiyah have approached community leaders in Maluku to lower tensions.

Syafii and Fajrul urged people in affected areas to renounce any desire for vengeance.

Syafii said leaders should continue messages to instill peace instead of inciting discord through discussions of religious and ethnic differences.

There were instances, such as in Central Java, where local community leaders "gave up" on brawling residents intent on getting even, he said.

"I know that it is hard to just forgive and forget after the burnings and killings ... but there's no other way than to cast aside our egotism. In Ambon, for instance, I believe most of the residents there want peace. So start the reconciliation."

Continued communal rioting is part of a "chronic" condition, he added, with the teaching of the state ideology Pancasila, which stresses harmony, religion and learning from history, having failed.

Separately, sociologist Waraow said persuasive measures, mainly by the local government, were needed at the grassroots level in addressing ignorance and poverty born from the economic crisis.

"These people are usually poor both regarding economy and education," he said.

"So start fixing the roots of problems which is poverty, and talk to them in their language. Do not give rhetoric."

Minister of Religious Affairs Malik Fajar said on Saturday the riots were indications many provincial people could not cope with the enormous impact of the reform movement.

Speaking after the inauguration of a Buddhist temple on Batam island, Riau, Malik said "provocateurs" were triggering riots and believed that "actually the religious life of the nation is not disturbed".

Over the weekend, a joint call for tolerance and unity was raised by the Association of Indonesian Christian Intellectuals and North Sumatra's branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, representation of the Indonesian Buddhist Community and Medan's bishop. (01/21/edt)