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)