Waning trust of ruling elite fuels riot, observers say

UJUNGPANDANG (JP): The on-going episodes of mob violence are a sign of the waning trust in the ruling elite, political observers said here yesterday.

Syamsu Suryadi and Noer Nasry Noor, both from Hasanuddin University, said this was due to the lack of openness on political matters from those in power.

Syamsu said the overly strong government had clogged political channels such as the legislative body, disabling people's political wishes.

"Political parties are unable to voice the people's aspirations and social organizations are not functioning as expected," he told The Jakarta Post.

Those in power do not behave like civil servants but rather like political aristocrats who believe they should be served by the people, he said.

The latest mob violence occurred in Rengasdengklok, about 50 kilometers east of Jakarta. Like previous incidents in other places, it was ethnically and religiously motivated with the mob targeting the property of people of Chinese descent, Buddhist temples and churches.

Syamsu warned that the lack of trust in the government was a dangerous sign that could lead to violence that, in turn, could fracture the multi-ethnic and multi-religion nation.

"If political channels are clogged, people will vent their anger on anything anywhere," he said.

Meanwhile, Noer Nasry said the violence occurred because of the public's dissatisfaction with the widening socioeconomic gulf.

History has shown that chaotic events in many parts of the world were fueled by economic disparity, he added.

Noer said most dissatisfaction was felt at grassroots level. However, he added, there was a chance that other groups were exploiting the current situation for their personal benefit. (35/30)