Wiranto praises Madurese patience

Wiranto praises Madurese patience

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian
Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto has praised Madurese people
from Sambas, saying they showed tremendous forbearance during the
recent ethnic riots which ravaged the West Kalimantan regency.

"I know the Madurese people are strong by nature. They show a
strong determination (and have a) strong disposition and
physique," Wiranto told Antara in Surabaya on Sunday evening.

"So, I am deeply touched when I realized how patient they were
during the Sambas riots... this is an unusual achievement,"

The four-star general elicited repeated thunderous applause
from the thousands of Madurese who attended the gathering, held
to resolve issues stemming from the riots.

He dubbed the forbearance of the Madurese a "cotton-soft
wisdom", which responds to violence with gentleness.

"In response to the riots in Sambas, the Madurese people have
been extraordinary, sympathetic and praiseworthy. Had the
Madurese returned violence with violence, total destruction would
have certainly ensued."

In the riots, vicious clashes occurred between the migrants
from Madura Island in East Java province and the native Dayaks
and Malays. More than 200 people were killed in the unrest.

Although the unrest has died down, uncertainties remain on
where thousands of Madurese refugees will be sheltered, as Madura
cannot accommodate them.

On Monday, D&R weekly quoted senior anthropologist Parsudi
Suparlan as saying Madurese living in Sambas or in other areas of
West Kalimantan practice vendetta and abuse other ethnic groups.

Between April 9 and April 20, the University of Indonesia
professor led a team of experts to study the ethnic tension in
Sambas. He said Madurese there knew their behavior intimidated
the Malays and exploited this fear.

At Sunday's meeting, Wiranto said the qualities of the
Madurese reminded him of his three-year stint in Jember regency,
East Java.

"At the beginning of that stint in Jember, where many Madurese
lived, I saw they had high spirits for living. That is the
character of the Madurese people. I like them for it because they
honestly say what is in their hearts."

Meanwhile, Antara reported from the West Kalimantan capital of
Pontianak that four Mobile Brigade personnel, injured in a
traffic accident as they moved to quell one of the Sambas riots,
remained in intensive care.

Brigade chief Maj. Unggung Cahyono said the four were
seriously injured when their truck plunged into a ravine on March
26. One officer, Sudarmanto, died at the scene, with dozens of
others sustaining mild to serious injuries. (swe)