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?