Sense of insensitivity

Sense of insensitivity

As nonindigenous people, the Chinese have suffered physically
and psychologically for decades. Not to my surprise, most
indigenous people are insensitive to the recent misfortunes
befalling fellow citizens of Chinese descent despite the
arrogance showed by some irresponsible Chinese, as illustrated by
the article Ethnic Chinese at fault for riots by Mr. Masli Arman,
July 30.

To the article's writer, please bear in mind that the massacre
of hundreds or even thousands of human beings is not excused or
tolerated by any of the world's religions. The generalization
that all Chinese are arrogant and greedy, and that all indigenous
people are dishonest, is simply narrow-minded. Wealthy and
powerful people, whatever their race, tend to be arrogant because
they think they can control other people by using money and
power.

To Mr. Ahmad Sumargono, of the Indonesian Committee for World
Moslems Solidarity (Kisdi), please do not worry about news in the
Jakarta-Jakarta magazine (Aug. 1). One irresponsible Moslem
rapist does not necessarily mean the whole Moslem community is
full of rapists.

In response to Mr. Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo's letter of July
29, after much criticism addressed to you, you should instead
take deep breaths and do some introspection, otherwise you will
be called racist. Some irresponsible Chinese may have made
mistakes but, again, this does not mean all Chinese do.

A show of insensitivity can be seen from the government's slow
initiation to investigate who instigated the May riots. Mr.
Lukman Harun's demand for evidence of gang rapes (July 30), and a
statement from the city police that they have received no report
so far about the rapes from the victims, means it is the duty of
the government and police to find evidence because it is not a
delik aduan (cannot investigate without an official report).

Indonesia's image has been tarnished abroad by its continuous
violations against human rights. The rapes of hundreds of Chinese
women are extreme crimes against one particular race. It is also
uncivilized and unjustified. The government and Armed Forces must
be responsible. They can start investigations and collect
evidence without needing ordinary people to tell them where and
when to start. Correct me if I am wrong but they do not have to
wait for victims to come forward. Please note that many people
still believe that the reports of rapes are just manipulated for
the benefit of a certain group.

Statements and condemnations that Chinese fleeing abroad have
no sense of nationalism are partly true, but insensitive. The
only thing the Chinese community asks from other communities is a
little respect toward their rights as citizens. Do not expect too
much nationalism from the Chinese as they have been excluded from
the communities socially (language and culture) and politically
for decades. An insensitive attitude is certainly not
nationalism.

SUSANTO

Jakarta