Untangling reasons behind riots

Untangling reasons behind riots

By Dennis M. Storm

JAKARTA (JP): In his article Ethnic Chinese at fault for
riots, July 30, Masli Arman worked diligently to show the Chinese
were to blame for the riots that decimated their community.

His position is not only unjust but indicates a complete
disregard for the situation facing Indonesia as a nation.

Arman appears to have opted for the Pauline Hanson approach to
problem solving. First, establish blame, preferably on an ethic
minority, then selectively research information to support your
position.

Had Arman been open in his research, he would have been
surprised. Indigenous Indonesians, expatriates of all
nationalities, individuals from Moslem countries, such as Saudi
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have all been accused of
abusing their domestic staff.

True, the staff may not have been Indonesians but abuse is
abuse. Arman should also have provided full information on the
incidents he cited.

In Singapore, the individuals were brought to trial and found
guilty. If my memory is correct, the maid was awarded damages and
the couple jailed and fined, while their son was required to
attend counseling.

In regard to the cited Indonesian incidents, I have some
questions. Were the incidents not reported to the authorities?
Did the accused face judicial punishment? If the cited incidents
were not reported, why not? Indonesia's legal system is meant to
protect all Indonesians. If the system failed to protect the
people under its care, then the system is at fault. If not the
system, then the individuals trusted to administer and enforce
the system have failed in their duties.

Disrespect for national language was another issue cited by
Arman. I have been in meetings where individuals conversed freely
in Sundanese, Javanese, Acehnese, Chinese, Batak and other
dialects, Bahasa Indonesia being the common language. I felt this
freedom of expression represented a prime example of Indonesia's
diversity and cultural strength, not disrespect.

Arman's comments concerning a responsible government not
condoning cultural performances and dances other than those in
Bahasa Indonesia, or that such actions could cause a "severe
backlash or even rioting", indicate he has never witnessed a
Hindu ceremony or other ethnic-Indonesian festival.

I believe this is a continuation of the Pauline Hanson
approach. Fear, basic fear, works better than facts and reason to
achieve a desired solution.

Arrogance is not solely a Chinese attribute as Arman seems to
indicate. Perhaps Arman has never come across an arrogant
indigenous Indonesian. I have. I have also met with arrogant,
Americans, Europeans, Japanese, Australians, Koreans and just
about every other race, color or creed found on this earth. My
cat is arrogant!

As for Arman's statement that the Chinese are to blame for the
riots in Purwakarta, Rengasdengklok and Kuala Lumpur, is this his
opinion or a statement of official fact? If Arman's opinion is to
be taken as fact, then the country can save much needed revenue
and conclude the inquiry into the May riots.

Arman has the answer. The Chinese did it. But what portion of
the Chinese community is to blame? The 30 percent yet to achieve
adequate assimilation into Indonesian society, in his opinion? Or
would it be the remaining 70 percent, who have matched his
criteria for assimilation but are still classified as Chinese?
Perhaps, both, for after all, we all know Chinese people look
alike.

Arman cited that the houses of wealthy indigenous Indonesians
remained untouched during the riots, to indicate the riots were
purely a backlash against the Chinese. The houses were untouched
because the Armed Forces (ABRI) protected those areas. My area,
which is predominantly Chinese, was protected in such a manner.
We paid for this service.

I was afforded the opportunity to witness the riots first
hand, this by chance not choice. The military did an excellent
job of preventing the riots from spreading by sealing off the
areas of unrest. That the rioting and looting was confined to
areas mainly inhabited by Indonesians of Chinese heritage I am
sure was merely a coincidence.

In truly evaluating Arman's position we must not forget the
Timor car; Indonesia's national car was also targeted during the
riots. To my knowledge, the Timor car is not produced by the
Chinese. Therefore, I am sure its targeting was by mistake,
possibly the result of misinformation as to its origins.

Arman seems dedicated to establishing "blame" for the riots.
Would it be incorrect to state that everyone in Indonesia who has
allowed the system of corruption, nepotism and cronyism to evolve
and prosper holds part of the blame?

Every multinational executive who looked the other way when
the local partner took care of matters to expedite business.
Every Indonesian who rode the gravy train to personal prosperity
over that of the nation. Every civil, government, ABRI and police
representative who, for whatever reason, failed to uphold the
mandate for their position and the laws of the nation.

Every individual who looked the other way when they knew what
was happening was wrong. I will include myself in that equation.
I have been associated with this country since 1982, and there
were times I should have spoken out but did not.

However, it is easier to blame the Chinese. It has been
accomplished effectively in the past; why break with tradition?
The simple reason is truth.

The Indonesian Constitution is a remarkable document. Yet, it
is only a piece of paper unless it is implemented in the spirit
and intent of its authors.

Indonesia has environmental regulations that have been the
model for legislation in other countries. Why aren't they
enforced in Indonesia?

The Constitution states the natural resources of the country
belong to the people. The agencies that regulate the exploration,
development and exploitation of these resources are the domain of
indigenous Indonesians. Have the profits from Indonesia's natural
wealth gone to the people? If not, could the injustice of the
situation also be cause for the unrest and riots?

Countries develop much like children. There is a time when
they must accept responsibility for their actions. Indonesia and
other newly emerged regional economic powers, several of which
have sizable Chinese populations, have reached the stage where
they must accept responsibility for their development to date.

All have suffered; their people have suffered. Yet only
Indonesia is striving to blame the suffering on a portion of its
population.

The others have realized that the system, corruption, poor
business practices, lack of transparency, cronyism and nepotism,
have led to their demise, not their Chinese population.

Accepting this, they have begun to rebuild, to change their
business practices, to accept responsibility.

Will Indonesia follow or will it look to the past for
solutions that are no longer applicable?

The cry Blame the Chinese must lose its appeal before any
development can commence. When will that be? The more individuals
attempt to place blame on a specific segment of society, the
longer the recovery will take.

Perhaps it is fear that drives the situation. After all, if
you cannot blame the Chinese for the problems Indonesia is
facing, who does that leave, the system?