Vietnam boat people's plaque torn down

Vietnam boat people's plaque torn down

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

The Batam Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) has removed a
large stone plaque erected by former Vietnamese refugees at their
one-time camp on Galang island, Riau Islands province. The
monument was dismantled at the request of the Vietnamese
president on the grounds that it was offensive to Vietnam.

The 3 meter by 1 meter plaque was dedicated on March 24 during
a reunion of 150 of the former Vietnamese refugees, who are now
residing in various countries, including Australia, the United
States, Canada, Switzerland and France. The reunion and the
erection of the monument were the initiatives of BIDA and
Singaporean firm Bold Express, which acted in a liaison capacity
between the former refugees and BIDA.

A The Jakarta Post source, who requested anonymity, has said
that the destruction of the plaque was carried out on the orders
of President Susilo, as conveyed through the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, at the request of the Vietnamese government.

The Vietnamese government took the view that the wording on
the plaque denigrated the dignity of Vietnam.

"This involves government to government relations, and I've no
right to comment. As far as I know, the plaque was dismantled
after the Vietnamese government addressed a complaint to
President Susilo," said the government source.

Meanwhile, the concrete frame in which of the stone plaque was
embedded is still standing. The marble tiles at the base have
been removed, however.

A number of visitors to the park and park workers expressed
surprise at the removal of the plaque. A maintenance worker at
the former camp, Mursidi, told the Post that he and three other workers
were abruptly ordered to pull down the plaque. However, Mursidi,
who is almost 60 years old, said he had forgotten the exact date
on which they carried out the order.

"It was around the end of May when we were asked to take down
the plaque. It was already late afternoon and raining hard. But
my supervisor told us that it had to be dismantled immediately,
so we erected a tent over the monument so as to be able do so
despite the rain," said Mursidi, who has been working at the site
since the days when the camp was still open.

Mursidi added that he was asked by his superior in BIDA
headquarters in Batam to record the wording on the plaque before
it was dismantled.

The wording read as follows: In commemoration of the hundreds
of thousands of Vietnamese people who perished on the way to
freedom (1975-1996). Though they died of hunger or thirst, or
being raped, or exhaustion or any other causes, we pray that they
may now enjoy lasting peace. Their sacrifice will never be
forgotten. - OVERSEAS VIETNAMESE COMMUNITIES 2005.

The reverse side of the plaque read: In appreciation of the
efforts of UNHCR, the Red Cross and the Indonesian Red Crescent
Society and other world relief organizations, the Indonesian
government and people, as well as all countries of first asylum
and resettlement. We also express our gratitude to the thousands
of individuals who worked hard in helping the Vietnamese
refugees. - OVERSEAS VIETNAMESE COMMUNITIES 2005.

"They said that the instruction to remove the plaque came from
Pak Ismeth Abdullah (former BIDA chairman), as it was he who
encouraged the reunion to go ahead. I don't know what the actual
reason behind the plaque's removal was. I'm just an ordinary
person," said Mursidi.

Meanwhile, Ismeth Abdullah, when contacted by phone, expressed
incredulity and anger upon learning that he was being blamed for
ordering the plaque's removal.

"That's pure slander. We spent a lot of money on helping to
make the reunion a success. How dare they accuse me of destroying
the plaque. It's not true," said Ismeth.

Bold Express's Project coordinator, Anne Oh, said that the
Vietnamese government had not only requested the removal of the
plaque on Galang Island, but also a similar plaque at the former
Vietnamese boat people's camp on Bidong island in the Malaysian
state of Trengganu. The request was still being hotly debated in
Malaysia, she said.