The Jakarta Post, December 22, 2004
Ethnic hatred still a threat to melting pot city
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's statement that pluralism has proven to be a
blessing for Indonesia rather than a threat to national unity, apparently is not
understood by all. An example of that is the terror threats by religious extremists
ahead of Christmas. Some people do not understand the meaning or spirit of
pluralism, and are thus easily provoked to participate in ethnic or religious conflicts --
often sparked by trivial incidents. The Jakarta Post's Abdul Khalik has delved into
these sensitive issues and this is the second of four articles dealing with society's
understanding of pluralism.
Ali Basya, the community unit (RW) 10 chief of Kali Baru subdistrict in Bekasi, has
struggled to understand the recent clash between Ambonese residents of Titian Indah
housing complex and Betawi people outside the complex.
"An Ambonese man was Brushed by a motorcycle ridden by a Betawi person. He
scolded the motorcyclist but the motorcyclist only returned with more people and the
seemingly trivial incident escalated," he said.
The July 17 incident caused people around the complex to unite against the
Ambonese. At least five people were seriously injured, while several buildings were
destroyed and burned.
Over 100 police officers were deployed to restore order. They built a barricade along
the road, separating the two areas for days.
After three days, the situation returned to normal and representatives of both sides
were taken to Bekasi Police station to sign a peace agreement.
However, Ali expressed concern that, as socialization between the two ethnic groups
was uncommon, such an incident could reoccur.
Sociologist Ida Ruwaida Noor of the University of Indonesia (UI) agreed with Ali,
saying that unless the root causes of the problem -- the economic and social gap,
lack of communications and history of conflicts between ethnic groups -- were not
adequately addressed by the government and society at large, such conflicts would
continue to reemerge.
"Our survey of conflicts nationwide has revealed that most of them were sparked by
small matters. But since there is an underlying problem among ethnic groups, it is
enough to spark a bigger clash," she said.
Data from the Central Statistics Bureau (BPS) shows that Javanese people comprise
the largest ethnic group with almost three million people of the Jakarta's nine million
residents. Other dominant ethnic groups are Betawi with 2.4 million, Sundanese 1.3
million, Chinese 500,000 and Batak 300,000. The remaining 1.5 million are
Minangkabau, Melayu and Palembang people.
With such a multi-ethnic population, Jakarta is prone to miscommunication and
conflicts, Ida said.
"Compounded by economic injustice, whereby one ethnic group is 'wealthier' than
others, a little provocation is enough to spark a conflict," she added.
Ida proposed that the city administration formulate a plan and related policy to prevent
such conflicts from recurring. The plan and policy should be inherent in economic and
social development strategies, she said.
"Recently, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) designed a
sustainable peace development plan. They have termed it 'conflict sensitive'
development planning. I hope it can be implemented," she said.
She said that the government should take into account feelings of injustice that could
arise among ethnic groups in the implementation of its development programs, such
as the construction of housing complexes, markets or offices.
Major ethnic conflicts 1998-2004
No. Incident Ethnic group involved Victims
1. May riot 1998 Chinese and Betawi helped Hundreds of Chinese by other ethnic
groups people reportedly were raped and killed
2. Ketapang riot Multi-ethnic and religious Seven killed and Nov. 1998 brawl allegedly
sparked by hundreds injured gambling and drinking
3. Manggarai Multi-ethnic brawl Several people brawl 2000 killed, countless others
injured and dozens of houses burned
4. Kebayoran Lama Betawi and Madura sparked One killed and four clash 2001 by
traffic accident injured
5. Cakung riot, Betawi and Madura sparked 17 people injured March 2002 by jealousy
over a woman
6. Kalijodo riot, Makassar and Mandar sparked One killed, March 2002 by gambling
hundreds of houses burned
7. Duren Sawit Multi-ethnic sparked by 10 injured clash, August quarrel in dangdut
2003 music show
8. Titian Indah Ambonese and Betawi sparked Five injured, clash, 2004 by motorcycle
accident several buildings burned
Source: media reports
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