Anti-Chinese Violence
Feb 6th, 2007, in News, by PatungAnti-Chinese feeling in Indonesia, 1996-1999.
Jemma Purdey, in Anti-Chinese Violence in Indonesia, 1996-1999, suggests that the anti-Chinese violence which periodically occurred prior to May 1998 had its origins in the policy of the Suharto government of marginalising the ethnic Chinese population, restricting them to certain, mainly business, roles, and portraying them as uncaring and corrupt.
Frustrated and poor “native” Indonesians who might be expected to take out their anger on government officials instead were diverted by the government into venting those frustrations on the Chinese. So, for the Suharto regime, the Chinese were a convenient scapegoat, and a provided an important safety valve for the expression of the people’s passions, and allowed mob violence to be directed at targets other than the regime. Normally violence against Chinese was directed largely against their property, rather than their persons. (see Pogroms in East Java 1965-66 for a couple of examples.)
Anti-Chinese Violence in Indonesia, 1996-1999.
The riots which occurred in Jakarta in May of 1998 however were of a different nature, says Purdey. They seemed to have been organised, with military-like precision, rather than spontaneous displays of rebellion, and involved the use of rape against Chinese women, although the numbers of victims is disputed.
Purdey points out however that it is only a minority of the indigenous population which is given to participating in mob violence against ethnic Chinese. eurekastreet
288 Comments on “Anti-Chinese Violence”
-
Raden says:
I agree with Hetero’s statement.
Only a minor correction, the brain drain are rapidly happening now.
Indonesia will not be a target of US/UK likewise the MiddleEast, why? Because Indonesia’s oil & gas reserves rapidly depleting unlike Irak & Iran & Saudi’s size of oil reserves. We are the net importer now, no more oil exporting sorry, this is the fact. The forest destruction level? Don’t mention, we are no: 1 – I mean the best in deforestation in the WORLD. The Gold & other mining? Don’t mention too, the USA via PT Freeport McMoran have been destroying Irian Jaya since 30+ years ago while the indegenous of Irian people are still using ‘koteka’ at large. Have you been visiting in Riau rich oil province? The majority of people are living in threshold poverty level. The Caltex/Chevron has been there for 30+ years, no significant economy progression to society. It doesn’t matter ORLA, ORBA or Reformasi, they are all the same set of greedy gov’t officers. Nothing that significantly had changed.So, it is enough to label that the incapable pribumi who dominated gov’t since Soekarno-Soeharto-etc., until today, they are all corrupt people, disrespectful of human being. If you are a capable chinese – non Muslim, you must stay out from Indonesia.
-
Aluang anak Bayang says:
So, it is enough to label that the incapable pribumi who dominated gov’t since Soekarno-Soeharto-etc., until today, they are all corrupt people, disrespectful of human being. …..
Pak Soekarno had a vision for his country. Unlike Soeharto, he was a fair minded person. His decision to move the Chinese in rural area to the city are done in the best interest of both Chinese and pribumis to avoid imminent conflict.
-
Sputjam says:
Let’s face it. The bumis hatred towards the chinese have nothing to do with race or religion. It is the chinese attitude, loud, rude and arrogant that puts off the malays. Indians are not subjected to similar treatment. In fact, the malays embraced indian culture.
We have to understand that, chinese people who migrated in the malay archipelago looked down on the natives. To make it worse, the natives were under european domination, meaning, they can cut deals with european without involving the natives. The wealth factor bypassed the local natives.
Before the mass migration of chinese towrds south east asia, the early settlers – babas and nyonyas, who had more or less assimilated with the malays, were forced back into becoming chinese, and their heritage is now largely in decline. Reason – newly migrated chinese people looked down on them due to their inability to speak and behave like chinese. These babas and nyonyas, much like Muslim women wearing hijab, were under pressure to assimilate.
The book by mahathir-the malay dilemma is available in bookshops, even in Singapore. During his rule in malaysia, mahathir-regarded as an ultra malay (although he has indian blood) ethnically cleansed government institution of non-malays, introduced malay as language of instruction in schools (which he back tracksed back into english for certain subjects in science and mathematcs after 22 years of rule) and cheated during elections, including the one that forced UMNO to be declared illegal for the introduction of “ghost branches” in order to defeat razaleigh.
If you stand in his vision, the chances are that you will be removed in a shameful manner, either accused of having affairs with sister-in-law or being a sodomiser.
His animosity towards Lee Kuan yew was long standing and continued until the very last days before his resignation.
I would not recommend anyone to read a book by such a person.Only the malays can improve themselves, if they want to. But if the malays chose not to be competitive, then it is probably easier for the non-malays to achieve success without much work either. In developed countries, stressful lifestyle are due to competitive environment. Why would anyone want that in Indonesia.
Brain drain also occurs in Singapore. Reason, hectic lifestyle and they would not want their children be subjected to stressful education system. Most migrate to australia and new zealand, then once citizenship is achieved, return to work in south east asia alone, while their family is in australia.
-
That’s true, poor baba & nonya are losing identity too but I believe they still practice their respect to their anchestors at least & celebrate important chinese celebration days. Unlike pribumi who forgotten with their culture & totally embrace Middle East syariah laws. But we are not worry about baba population are shrinking indeed and their next generation are fully well educated, those are very nimble back in global world sooner or later.
I think it is true to say the bumis hatred against chinese will never end, that’s the facts and it is fine too because the two have too many differences which never settle like oil & water. So, the minority must stay-out from the stupid majority who worse controlling the gov’t, that’s the problem. Because the majority are lazy, corrupt & stupid they think can control resources, similar like Brunei only counting on their depleting oil reserves with no brains, sooner or later they are becoming beggars in theirown country & waiting for foreign direct investors to help them.
The time is clicking tik tak tik tak .. Indonesia’s resources are dissapearing, no forest – no oil & gas reserves – no brains – nothing.
Indonesia bumis can only choose becoming the Temasek Sgp Holding’s slave or Russian’s slaves or else worse the slave of America’s corporations, it’s a matter of time. It is just another kind of colonialism after 350years under the Dutch, so stupid ? Yes, very much!
-
Hi Raden,
That’s true, poor baba & nonya are losing identity too but I believe they still practice their respect to their anchestors at least & celebrate important chinese celebration days. Unlike pribumi who forgotten with their culture & totally embrace Middle East syariah laws. But we are not worry about baba population are shrinking indeed and their next generation are fully well educated, those are very nimble back in global world sooner or later.
Whatever we pribumis believe in is none of anyone business. We simply don’t like to be told. Sputjam had a point. The Chinese are very arrogant toward other Asian group, but kowtowing to the Whites. I was wondering what the Chinese parents had been teaching their children about Malay and Indian kids. I had my early education in Singapore, and being one of the few Malays in school, I was constantly picked on and gang bashed on many occassion. I even have a deep scar on a reattached finger to remind me of the horror I’ve been through. When it comes to the bashing of a Malay boy, every Chinese jumped in.
I think it is true to say the bumis hatred against chinese will never end, …..
Brother. it is a two way exit. I am not a grudgeful person, but back then I would have wanted to kill them all. Luckily firearms were inaccessible in Singapore. I came from a large family with 3 adopted siblings, and 2 sisters are Chinese. My elder brother was a softie and I have seen him begging for his dear life by declaring that he had chinese baby sisters. My brother had so often cursed the chinese yet he doted on our little sisters.
The time is clicking tik tak tik tak .. Indonesia’s resources are dissapearing, no forest – no oil & gas reserves – no brains – nothing.
Only when these riches are gone, only will Chinese leave.
Indonesia bumis can only choose becoming the Temasek Sgp Holding’s slave or Russian’s slaves or else worse the slave of America’s corporations, it’s a matter of time. It is just another kind of colonialism after 350years under the Dutch, so stupid ? Yes, very much!
You need to take a cold shower. Cursing won’t do you any good. 🙂
-
Aluang, you are right maybe Chinese are arrogant to those races with less ability to do well in life. But it is universally happening, the Dutch will look down on all of us right, the American will look-down on European guys. So, do not take it personally. I am impressed with you, being as minority in your younger days in Sgp you dare to dream to do mass killing to chinese majority. This is true Malay Muslim militant thinking, the minority Indonesian chinese will never dare to dream like that even though they have money & access to weapon & granate but Indonesian chinese will never commit such atrocity like suicide bombing & unlawful acts based on racism.
It tells the story why certain races may look-down on others based on each behaviour in life. When China realized Americans dictate the global economy, they are very adaptive & embrace the change for success. The Muslim nations simply frustating & recruit more and more suicide bombers by all means to kill the Americans. -
Today 12 May, we remember the 13 – 16 May 1998 tragedy which targeted Chinese Indonesian ethnic to justify the social unrest, you know in every unrest you need the mass victims. Today, 9 years later with reformation in place in Indonesia. The reformation actually do not bring so much difference than ORBA.
The corruption are rampant in every society levels, prosperity went down year to year, inflation & unemployment rates are hiking up. Yesterday I took a Silver Bird taxi, from Cengkareng airport to Sudirman had cost me Rp 142 ribu, oh gosh. I used to pay Rp 50 rb in 10 years ago. The taxi driver complaining so much about his income & less spending capability due to inflation rate is very high. I gave him Rp 8 ribu tip, he smiled.
We have changed the presidents for 4 times since Soeharto, can’t demand much more though, they have all the + and – and they are the best of ours.
What is wrong with Indonesia?
-
O, didn’t know there was a response for me.
Raden, you have slave mentality like Cuk. Where Cuk is an Arab-wannabe, you are a Chinese wannabe.
I am impressed with you, being as minority in your younger days in Sgp you dare to dream to do mass killing to chinese majority. This is true Malay Muslim militant thinking, …
Yes, make no mistake. Columbine thought wasn’t too far away from my mind back then. The Chinese kids are bullies when they had their numbers, and their parents are too busy making money to know what their kids are up to.
I am a non-violent person. I have tasted cold steel rod against my face and body too many times to remember. There were times when I was able to disarm my attacker, but simply throw the stick away and ran, because I lacked the courage to hit someone with it. If I am a politician in power, I would support a motion to protect our kids from Chinese kids. Malay kids are more benign.
Suprisingly, I have never had trouble with Indonesian Chinese kids. They are a lot better behaved, probably it is because of our government decades-long discriminatory policy against them, or maybe we are majority in Indonesia.
This is true Malay Muslim militant thinking, the minority Indonesian chinese will never dare to dream like that even though they have money & access to weapon & granate but Indonesian chinese will never commit such atrocity like suicide bombing & unlawful acts based on racism.
Let’s not bring in Muslim militant. You are glorifying the Chinese too much. Of course, I have no doubt they are a gifted lot, but they do have their downsides. The Chinese are a loud arrogant, coward group. They know how to gang-bash but were too chicken to make a kill.
Raden, you think it is wise to look down on us in our own country when we are the majority, and it is okay to have our kids beaten by Chinese bullies. You must be out of your mind.
Tell me, are a a Chinese, or Batak as you claimed? 🙂
-
Teng says:
the Dutch will look down on all of us right
No we don’t. Did you know that in 1945, the majority of the Dutch people in Holland supported the Indonesian independence? The government just didn’t listen to the people.
Back on topic: I somehow really doubt that killing all Chinese or expelling them for the country will actually help Indonesia’s economy. The government should be working on the overall education system.
It is better to teach people how to build an own business than to create a volatile situation where you kill a Chinese person and take over his business because that business will go bankrupt in no time.
-
Aluang, I feel really sorry that you were the victim too during your childhood days in Singapore. So, those days in sgp the chinese acted brutal & sadistic ironing to the minority, we have never heard that, perhaps the sgp republic just a tiny country that the bigger neighbours never pay attention & there were no internet in the past and maybe LKY blockage the only newspaper media.
But statistically, I am sure the Malay minority in Sgp are proud becoming Singaporean until most of my Malay Malaysian friends accused them as a kind of the most arrogant Malay race. Some of my Malay Sgp friends said to me if they never dream to migrate to Indonesia or back to Malaysia because after 30+ years living in peace without corruption, they are get used to it already in Sgp.
In contrary, the Malaysian Immigration officer & police (yang dipertuan imigresen dan polis) are conducting regular checks in places like Serembam, Shah Alam, Johor, etc to target Indonesian pribumis, the Malaysian government really don’t like their native brothers from Indonesia. It is a very sad story.
In Brunei, the immigration check points between Brunei – Sabah, Brunei – Miri and Brunei – Kalimantan always targetting to Indonesian pribumi, actually the security post gantry are solely meant for us the Indonesian, if ‘bule’ / ‘mat saleh’ / ‘ang-moh’ then passed, Malaysian passport also passed, but Indonesian, got problems.
I see Indonesian pribumi do not have any choice but must stay live in Indonesia, all the Muslim nations neighbours do not give us much help.While the Indonesian chinese are welcome in Singapore, Malaysia’s Penang, Miri, Serawak, Kuching, KotaKinabalu, Ipoh + other bigger countries like Australia Sydney-Hurstville (80% chinese there), Perth, USA-California, Amsterdam, etc
Pls do not accuse me too much glorifying Indonesian chinese, I wish in this forum we stay & state the facts and emotionless when presenting our points.
The last points, the Indonesian pribumi must learn more to their chinese Indonesian brothers (non Muslim brothers) because they are more nimble & accepted in more nations than the Indonesian pribumis while we are holding the same green passport, am I say something wrong here? And the chinese Indonesian must be more humble & never take example of the chinese Singaporean in Singapore. -
Nickels says:
There were much harm done to many ethnicities: pribumi, chinese, blacks, Jews. You name a wrongdoing, and that something wrong was probably done one of them, if not to more others. I’m glad that so many of us here, if not all, are aware of these injustices. This awareness is instrumental in what we need to do next: work together for our future. In the end, what we really strive for is our future. We have to focus on this goal at large. In order to do so, we have to set aside — I say set aside, not forget — our past misfortunes. I have faith that we can do this. I have faith that Indonesia will be better someday. Just reading the comments in this website, I know that I can breathe with a steady conviction that I will see the unified Indonesia I long to see.
We are slowly coming together I can see it, and I can feel it. I’m just hoping that I’ll live long enough to be there when it comes to be.
Cheers,
Nickels -
Dear Nickels, sorry to disappoint you. Indonesia, though as vast and as populous as India and China, progress is far fetched. Reason being religions. Our pribumis are more concerned about petty issues than to tackle real problem damning us from progressing. A peasant earning less than USD1 a day is more interested in his neighbour’s moral behaviour than putting food on the table for his wife and children.
I read another post of yours and concluded that you are a useful idiot. Useful idiot may be well received in Islamic countries, but in Indonesia, we don’t need one.
Just reading the comments in this website, I know that I can breathe with a steady conviction that I will see the unified Indonesia I long to see.
You are too optimistic. Only a fraction of us have access to internet. The vast majority are illiterate peasants easily swayed by religious leaders.
-
In contrary, the Malaysian Immigration officer & police (yang dipertuan imigresen dan polis) are conducting …..
I have only visited Malaysia a handful of times so I can’t really comment much except that I know there are many illegal Indonesian workers in Malaysia.
In Brunei, the immigration check points between Brunei – Sabah, Brunei – Miri and Brunei – Kalimantan always targetting to Indonesian pribumi, actually the security post gantry are solely meant for us the Indonesian, if ‘bule’ / ‘mat saleh’ / ‘ang-moh’ then passed, Malaysian passport also passed, but Indonesian, got problems.
Why? After the 1962 or 1963 Azahari rebellion, Indonesians are treated with suspicion. It is not the local populace that is not accepting of us, but the royal families and co, because they might lose their power if Brunei is swallowed either by Indonesia or Malaysia.
The bule (British and American) are welcomed because Brunei needed them for protection against Indonesia and Malaysia.
Pls do not accuse me too much glorifying Indonesian chinese, I wish in this forum we stay & state the facts and emotionless when presenting our points.
The fact is that you are kissing the ground they walked on, whatever they do is faultless. For me, I give credit ONLY when it is due. Since you are a Chinese advocate and you also mentioned about Brunei, I assume you know a thing or two about Bruneian Chinese workers (Malaysian and Taiwanese Chinese). They are the most despicable group. Brunei though the population is much less than Indonesia, the Malays are an overwhelming majority. The Chinese there fought among themselves, because they do not dare pick on the Malays. Chinese school kids and adults are armed to teeth, and gang bashed the hell out of each other. It was almost a daily occurence when I was there in the 70s and 80s. The smart Bruneian police just stand around watching them fight. We do not want these sort of behaviour in Indonesia. We don’t want triads in our country. Wait till their number goes up and they will start bashing our kids. So long to your ‘Perfect Chinese Image’.
-
Dear Aluang Anak Bayang,
Hahaha, an ‘optimistic useful idiot’ I am. Look, my vision may appear, at most, utopian. But there is no harm in having such a vision. Besides, I’m not sure of your real impetus behind calling me an idiot. But I do know that there is a fine line between cynicism and realism.
While you are true that the majority of Indonesians are not “literate” and that only a handful (to be hyperbolic) of the population has access to information technology, it does not imply that the ‘unfortunate’ portion of the population is beyond betterment. I really don’t understand why must you shift the blame to the poor for being ‘interested in his neighbour’s moral behaviour than putting food on the table for his wife and children.’ You are obviously making a false assumption that these people you call ‘peasants’ are more involved in making moral judgments than actually working; you’re wrong. They are, most of them, working. In fact, they try hard. Furthermore, If there is a massive amount of them unemployed, I don’t think it’s fair to blame them for being unemployed. The only problem with the poor is that they are thrown in a governing system with an inadequate welfare policy (if there is any), and to that effect, a lack of poor-people-friendly policy. Should there be someone to blame for it should be put on those constructing and maintaining the system. It’s not the people’s fault for the lack of jobs. It’s not the people’s fault if the economic system does not favor them. It’s not the people’s fault if the country lacks good governing.
Really, what troubles me most is your antagonistic use of the word pribumi. You write, “Our pribumis are more concerned about petty issues than to tackle real problem damning us from progressing.” I don’t know what you mean by petty issues, by the way. If by petty issues you mean the issues that lead them to making moral judgments then what do you suggest? They should stop making moral judgments? Your issue with this matter is probably with the kinds of moral judgments ‘the pribumis’ are making — whomever you mean by ‘pribumis’. Perhaps you think they are trivial, or even at most stupid. Perhaps their judgments are often misled, but only this much I concede. And you said it yourself, only a handful of us has access to information. And yes, you might respond by saying that regardless of there being an improved access on information in the future ‘the pribumis’ are still prone on making bad judgments and/or making derogatory, irrational comments. But is it fair to say that THIS is the real reason why Indonesia is not progressing? That the pribumis moral judgments are the reason why Indonesia appear to be regressive? I beg to differ. Likewise I stated, I concede only as far as saying that there might be misled judgments. But this is not beyond remedy. The actors behind the presence of misled moral judgments are ignorance and distrust. Instead of blaming the people for being ignorant and distrustful and thus the problem, it would be wiser to ponder on why are there ignorance and distrust. Pardon me for not blaming, and assuming a specific group of people to generally bear a certain characteristic. Pardon me for still having faith in humanity, and in that all human race.
Overall, I don’t think you are fair when using the word pribumi. You are obviously generalizing the lot. Not all ‘pribumis’ make bad moral judgments. And if some of them do, it’s not because they are inherently bad. To think they are all inherently bad people is not being realistic; it’s rather cynical (at most racist). And by the way most of my pribumi friends are very, very literate. Even if some of them are not literate/privileged, to wit, ‘peasants’ (to use your word), they are not the kinds you would so pleasantly think as always making bad moral judgments instead of working to earn some food for their family. My ‘pribumi’ friends, both the privileged and the not-so are quite the hard-workers. In fact, they have, most of them, the potential to be future leaders. Should there be a day where the election boils down to choosing between a candidate that bears your tendency of surmising, and a candidate that bears one of my pribumi friend’s characteristic, I would vote for my friend. Not only because she is a friend, but also because I think because she would never go as far as calling me a useful idiot because she is smart enough to know that such an antagonistic name calling is nothing but a blatant display of hatred, and ignorance; it is something that Indonesia REALLY do not need.
Sincerely,
Nickels -
Cukurungan says:
Aluang:
Raden, you have slave mentality like Cuk. Where Cuk is an Arab-wannabe, you are a Chinese wannabe.
Cukurungan :
Don’t say so again, remember, I am not the Arab wannabe but your savior who will lead javanese people to conquer this world’s.
BTW I agreed with you that many chinese don’t have grateful toward pribumi who already gave them so many luxury live. We pribumi already given them what even china mainland government couldn’t afford to do it. In here, Chinese people allowed to have kid as many as they want, we don’t forbid falungong and we even allowed them to threat GOD. I remember when I was little kid and playing around chinese klenteng, I saw chinese people provoked GOD with the burning stick, give me money, give me money if not I will stuck you with this stick. Might be this is one of the reason why chinese more success in the business than pribumi because we pribumi never threatened GOD but only pray to GOD with open hand and a humble position.
regard,
Your Savior -
Hi Nickels,
Duh, I hate reading long post.
Hahaha, an ‘optimistic useful idiot’ I am. Besides, I’m not sure of your real impetus behind calling me an idiot.
If I called someone an idiot, I did so with evaluated conviction. Hope you are not deeply troubled.
But I do know that there is a fine line between cynicism and realism.
Good, that makes at least 2 of us in this forum. You are not alone.
While you are true that the ….. governing.
Really, what troubles me ….., …… Pardon me for still having faith in humanity, and in that all human race.
I called you a useful idiot for your comment made in this thread,
http://www.Indonesiamatters.com/1278/anti-islam-website/Overall, I don’t think you are fair when using the word pribumi. …..; it is something that Indonesia REALLY do not need.
A chinese is a pribumi in China. I am a pribumi in Indonesia. The Dayaks are pribumi in Kalimantan. In Kalimantan, I am a transmigrant. How could this be interpreted as cynical or racist?
Perhaps I will respond to your idiotic comment in the ‘anti-islam website’ heading in due time.
-
Ah … Cuk, the prodigal son of Indonesia. We differ so much in understanding in matter of common sense and conscience.
Don’t say so again, remember, I am not the Arab wannabe …..
Sure you are not? But I see you reading some Arabian fairy tales, and trying to pass onto other brothers as TRUTH. Cuk, unless you trade in your Buraq for a Garuda or a Burung Singalang, you will always be an Arab-wannabe. Even a Chinese Dragon is better than a Buraq, they have more superior virtue.
but your savior who will lead javanese people to conquer this world’s
I will always vote for a WONOJOVO than ABDULLAH.
BTW ….. I remember when I was little kid and playing around chinese klenteng, I saw chinese people provoked GOD with the burning stick, give me money, give me money if not I will stuck you with this stick. Might be this is one of the reason why chinese more success in the business than pribumi because we pribumi never threatened GOD but only pray to GOD with open hand and a humble position.
Brother, ancient men created GOD when they can’t explain nature phenomena like lightning, storms, tsunami, etc. Now we killed GOD with science. The Chinese are successful because they are level-headed and hardworking. We are less successful because we have kampung mentality and always wanted easy lives. Hence we are attracted to religion that promises plenty of sexs and eternal laze-away lives. Throwing away the qu’ran is like throwing away your dream of being lazy.
-
Tomaculum says:
I remember when I was little kid and playing around chinese klenteng, I saw chinese people provoked GOD with the burning stick, give me money, give me money if not I will stuck you with this stick. Might be this is one of the reason why chinese more success in the business than pribumi because we pribumi never threatened GOD but only pray to GOD with open hand and a humble position.
Are you Cukurungan or A. Sudarsono?
-
Arema says:
I have faith that we can do this. I have faith that Indonesia will be better someday. Just reading the comments in this website, I know that I can breathe with a steady conviction that I will see the unified Indonesia I long to see.
We are slowly coming together I can see it, and I can feel it. I’m just hoping that I’ll live long enough to be there when it comes to be.
Cheers,
NickelsMy brother Nickels, I’m glad to finally found another “useful idiot” like me =) we are truly standing on the same ground and sharing the same opinion here. I also believe that there is hope for our beloved country… but the condition is so bad that even a ray of light at the end of the tunnel called hope is nowhere to be seen, and seems nowhere to be found too!
Aluang: Dear Nickels, sorry to disappoint you. Indonesia, though as vast and as populous as India and China, progress is far fetched. Reason being religions. Our pribumis are more concerned about petty issues than to tackle real problem damning us from progressing. A peasant earning less than USD1 a day is more interested in his neighbour’s moral behaviour than putting food on the table for his wife and children.
You are too optimistic. Only a fraction of us have access to internet. The vast majority are illiterate peasants easily swayed by religious leaders.
Aluang, I agree we might be too optimistic and struggling against the odds, but that doesn’t make us idiots. You are insulting our independence heroes by saying this. How more idiotic can a person be, when only using bambu runcing or keris against a well-formationed troops with shotguns, rifles, and cannons? They were fighting for what is right. They were fighting for the good of our beloved country. And the most important thing: they really know they were fighting for a good cause, and not for their own selfish interest.
Indonesia is entering the colonialization era at a worrying pace now, with our natural resources going down the drain, severe brain drain, poor education system coupled with Arabic influence, and continuous conflict between races, religions, etc. There is no better recipe for doom. As mentioned in the previous posts, soon our countrymen will become beggars in their own country, and by then probably you’re right, it’s beyond hope, but not now.
Only those who care and willing to do something are able to save this sinking country. Indonesia need “heroes” now more than ever to prevent premature nation-wide “armageddon”.
I am officially declaring myself as another “useful idiot” by saying things I said below, but nevermind, I will say it anyway. Before that, Patung, I’m sorry for going off topic, but I feel that the moment is right.
The only way to save Indonesia is to form a political party and make way for our best Indonesians to lead the country!
I have this vision long long ago, but being surrounded by skeptics who have the exact opposite thought, I thought I’m crazy. But being in this forum, my confidence grows everyday that this is not the end yet for Indonesia, as I see a lot of people do care, but dare not act… yet.
As the condition worsen, I believe more and more Indonesian are saying “enough is enough”, willing to do something, but are helpless. I am one of them. Continuous exposure to skeptic surroundings will create another skeptics. That is exactly the condition of our country now. Those real idiots (well, mostly) are leading the country because they had the opportunity, and those who deserve to lead are doing something else because “there is no hope” for them.
If there is no hope, all of us won’t bother to be here in this great forum: Indonesia Matters. Right, Indonesia Matters. Our country matters to us. We are crying in our heart, but we are helpless. And it is only a fraction of those who care, because not all have access to internet, and not all even aware that this forum exists!!!
What is needed is a spark (this invitation). A spark to light up the candle of hope (a true party with only one thing in mind: Prosperity of Indonesia), whose fuel (people’s feeling that it is time for Indonesia to soar) is brimming to the edge. This candlelight of hope will eventually lit other candles, and finally the dark is banished from our country!
That is my vision. This is not the end.. yet. Let’s fight together, brothers and sisters!
The basics will be:
1) As long as you have the right intention, which is struggling for the best interest of Indonesia and Indonesians, we set aside our differences in anything, and work together for this purpose: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. We might be different by race, religion, etc, but that won’t stop us from becoming friends right? Let those factors won’t stop us either to become one solid team, working solely for our country.
2) There is no one too small to contribute. You can contribute significantly by becoming our leaders who will eventually lead the country, becoming funders, etc, or as small as becoming a critic. We are humans, and thus imperfect. We need a healthy supply of criticism to stay true to our ideals and goals.
3) There is no one bigger than the best interest of Indonesia and Indonesians. If you are here for selfish interest, don’t bother, please go to other parties, we don’t need you however skillful you are.
4) We will hold our ideals up high, stay honest, humble, and keeping our integrity. We need this to earn people’s trust the hard way. Easy way would be distributing Rp50000,00 for one vote, but it will make us no different from the rest.For my case, I can’t be the leader, because I’m simply not good enough. I’m not a good speaker or motivator, not experienced, and not an expert in any way applicable to the government. I’m just a humble engineer with great love toward my country. But however that doesn’t mean I can’t contribute. I can be advisor behind the screen, and I have the essential networks / connections for support. Consider me as the “glue”. I’m maybe useless and naive, but at least have enough courage to voice out this. But I’m only one piece of the puzzle. The rest is all of you. I know some of you, both who are active and silent readers, are capable persons. Once we had enough members, we will proceed from there.
This party need a leader that can be easily accepted by most Indonesians, which is not me, because of my “minority of minorities” background. I’m more than happy to become forgotten heroes, no one heard about me, no one aware of my contribution, no one recognize me, as long as Indonesia can be revived from the grave. We are here to serve, and not for our personal interest. Our motivation is the undying love for our country and nothing else.
Fellow IM-ers, you must have realized that whining will take us nowhere, and suggesting what is right will fall on deaf ears. It is about time we, those who really care about Indonesia and not ourselves, step up to the plate and fight for our country! We will be known as idiots, but nevertheless we will continue to fight, until there’s no hope.
Now please tell me your response guys…
-
Hi Arema,
Ouch, another long post. I read a third of it and skipped the rest.
You are either not a good reader, or my English is not good enough. Firstly, you put words in my mouth, and secondly, you are countering those words with lengthy rhetoric. If you have a mind story to pour, I suggest you start a new topic under appropriate heading.
I called Nickels a useful idiot for saying Islam is misunderstood, when it was a main cause for all our sufferings. Our land will be a better place without it. What she did was throwing in some unintelligent garbage like ‘Islam being peaceful’ when she is not a moslem herself. She should change her name to Nikah Binti Abdullah if she think Islam is peaceful. She has her own secular and peaceful country to go back to after her stint in Indonesia, where we have to battle these Arab imperialism garbage in our own country. In another word, she is piling more garbage onto our land by being useful idiot to Islamists. Got it? I can’t make it any simpler.
-
Yes, yes, there are more & more people like Aluang who is anti Muslim militant likewise me. I fully agree 100% if the culprit of Indonesia backward progression are the Middle East’s bad influence who want to swap our blangkon with their sorban, I hate that so much!
If we can get rid of the militant lazy thinking and in positive & diligent way embrace the modern globalized world then Indonesia will be successful again back to the golden years of 1991 – 1996.
Another political party will not work, but we must start with every masjid to dare to stand-up, speak-up & get rid of militant thinking & practice, do not expect the other religion to clean up yourown mess, do it yourself because Muslim is the majority in Indonesia, why can’t you?Note: I am not Muslim, therefore I need those who claim if you are Muslim, dare to speak-up, don’t keep on silent, because if you keep on silent or let it be grey area that’s mean you are condoning the militant acts, all Muslim must take actions & demonstrate if you dare to oppose the MiddleEasterners.
What do you say our Muslim brothers?
-
My brother Nickels, I’m glad to finally found another “useful idiot” like me =) we are truly standing on the same ground and sharing the same opinion here. …..! I am officially declaring myself as another “useful idiot” by …..
Survival instinct, this is what set the pribumis apart from the Chinese. Here we witness a transformation.
Aluang, I agree we might be too optimistic and struggling against the odds, but that doesn’t make us idiots. You are insulting our independence heroes by saying this. How more idiotic can a person be, when only using bambu runcing or keris against a well-formationed troops with shotguns, rifles, and cannons? ……
I can’t see what I’ve said insulted our independence heroes. My great great grandfather fought against the Dutch. The place where he was executed with 2 other comrades soon became a heroes cemetry. One of my granduncle was a decorated army officer, my grandfather was in politic during Pak Karno’s era, and several of my uncles were incarcerated during the rebellion. Many of their Javanese comrades were murdered for having Chinese associates. As for being ungrateful and ready to switch sides at the touch of a panic button, I think you are spitting on our ancestors’ grave. I wonder if you represent the view of all Indonesian Chinese.
-
Raden:
I fully agree 100% if the culprit of Indonesia backward progression are the Middle East’s bad influence who want to swap our blangkon with their sorban, I hate that so much!
If we can get rid of the militant lazy thinking and in positive & diligent way embrace the modern globalized world then Indonesia will be successful again back to the golden years of 1991 – 1996.Cukurungan:
I fully don’t agree because the culprit the Indonesia problems isn’t neither influence of the middle east or the west but the corrupt mentality which already deeply rooted during “orba” and well brewed until today in our government and society while the militant influence is very limited and they only killed few people but the corruption committed by Government and their chinese crony in BLBI case already caused million loss generation.
God created everything in this world’s in pairs man and woman, good and bad, moslem militant vs non-moslem millitant so that we main streams moslem won’t turn and raise our sword to our own brother if their existence is still relevant because the moslem millitant is perfect pairs of the non-moslem militant. The existence millitant is only one of symptom that Indonesia society is sick and not root caused of the problems. We shall kill the root cause and the symptom will be automatically gone.Since independent Indonesia never came to what so called the golden year, in 1991-1996, that is only the bubble economic booming because at that times there wasn’t the solid foundation economic for the sustainable growth. At that times Indonesia economic is pumped with the foreign debts , the hot money and the pseduo economic activities and once the bubble economic burst than the true economic size will emerge as our size today.
Aluang:
Brother, ancient men created GOD when they can’t explain nature phenomena like lightning, storms, tsunami, etc. Now we killed GOD with science. The Chinese are successful because they are level-headed and hardworking. We are less successful because we have kampung mentality and always wanted easy lives. Hence we are attracted to religion that promises plenty of sexs and eternal laze-away lives. Throwing away the qu’ran is like throwing away your dream of being lazy.
Cukurungan:
Science never killed God because the science only explain the small portion of God creation until now day science never able create a living creature, science never able to stop death, science never able to stop aging, science never able to return a death people becomes alive. God do exist and now He are watching on US. At moment, you don’t need God because you’re on the Top Position and having the live condition much better than the most of our brother and sister but remember, once day God will take one by one what you’re belonging and finally you will be realized that you need God at least to release your pain.
Chinese is not the sucessful people but the deceived people, they have been sacrificing their whole live for the little live pleasure, see how the painful chinese people today in order to achieve only bid better condition than Indonesian. We are less sucessful because wrong teaching by our parents and teachers, our parents said if you want to becomes a rich you must work hard and honest. Now, I am fully realized that no one getting rich by working hard and honest because the rich status can be achieved only by a smart people not by the hard worker.
Regard,
YS -
Chinese are not level headed. They are slave to feng shuis and fortune tellers. But the different between malays and chinese is that the chinese are enthusiastic in their work. Malays have a “tidak apa” attitude. If we can change and make the malays enthusiastic in what ever they do, then defintely, malays will progress much more rapidly.
-
Sputjam, I disagree.
Check this out, and they are in par with the Jews. http://www.gnxp.com/MT2/archives/002435.htmlThey are not just level-headed but highly moral conscious people, and are unswayed by sweeteners. All Asians think incest is sickening, but once influenced by islam, it is halal. Chinese just wouldn’t thread there. Something which for them is sickening, where it is embraced as virtue by moslems.
-
Sputjam Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 3:23 pmmalays have a “tidak apa” attitude. If we can change and make the malays enthusiastic in what ever they do, then defintely, malays will progress much more rapidly.
Actually, I like the “tidak apa” attitude. That’s the way the world should have remained. At least there’s more opportunity to make an honest living and to live proudly knowing that what you own is from your own sweat – ‘dari keringat-ku sendiri’, unlike business where you have to tell lies and take advantage of others in order to get ahead. I’ve talked to a lot of business people and they all say basically the same thing – to get ahead you have to compromise your ethics.
What is progress? Keeping up with the developed world; that’s all.
-
Hi ausdag, we can’t have “tidak apa’ attitude if we live and work alongside enthusiastic people. This is what happened in Indonesia – the Chinese controlled the wealth.
-
Cuk,
Science never killed God because the science only explain the small portion of God creation ….. but remember, once day God will take one by one what you’re belonging and finally you will be realized that you need God at least to release your pain.
Science explains how things come about. You last sentence makes God sounds like a bogeyman.
Chinese is not the sucessful people but the deceived people, they have been sacrificing their whole live for the little live pleasure, see how the painful chinese people today in order to achieve only bid better condition than Indonesian. We are less sucessful because wrong teaching by our parents and teachers, our parents said if you want to becomes a rich you must work hard and honest. Now, I am fully realized that no one getting rich by working hard and honest because the rich status can be achieved only by a smart people not by the hard worker.
Yes, I see what you are talking about. The Chinese are suffering inside their big mansions and crying behind the wheel of their luxury 4WD. Our successful pribumi brothers, the pengrobak sampah and pengamen lampu merah are happily singing pujian untuk Allah.
Cuk, I sometime wonder if you have an organ called brain in your skull. I am an egalitarian, but when I talk to you I have to lower my intelligence to a monkey.
Regards,
God’s Brother -
Actually, “tidak apa” attitude leads to complacency. And because the malays have been having it good for so long, we are now way behind the north east asian.
Take Malaysia for instance. Do you realise that the british did not have to fire a shot to colonise malaya, sabah and sarawak? This is all due to “tidak apa” attitude.
When the chinese migrants came in, the same “tidak apa” attitude made the chinese life a lot easier. The malays realise too late that they have lost just about everything due to their easy living ways.
Initially I believe the red indians in america too were “tidak apa” until they have been obliterated by the europeans. We hear about the Jewish holocaust, but never about the eradication of native indians in america.
Malays will have to be vigilant. Doing business does not mean cheating. Business deals are all about willing buyer, willing seller. If a product is not very good, an able sales man would be able to make the sale. Hence, large firms place great importance in marketing skills an product knowledge.
Islam places great emphasis on morality. There is much similarity between what Confucious taught and what was written in the koran. Good deeds and acts of righteousness overrides evrything else. “Submitters” only have the koran as their guide, not imams.
There is no comparison between the Jews and the chinese. My personal opinion is that the Jews may be creative in instilling new ideas, but they are restricted by their religion. The chinese on the other hand are like einsteins on steroids, and breed like rabiits (no offence) with no boundaries to bind their creativity.
And please do not buy books by Mahathir. he is a cheat and a scum. He and his UMNO ultras gang were probably behind the massacre of chinese in malaysia in 1969 (cleverly disguised as a race riot) in order to topple the “tidak apa” prime minister Tunku abdul rahman from office. It also ended Malaysia’a short spell in democracy as anything that touches “ketuanan melayu” is considered sensitive and cannot be discussed.
Do not blame the chinese for their success. They were global players hundreds of years ago. Their ancient texts are still relevant today as they were thousands of years ago, such as Sun Tze. Be patient and work enthusiatically. And always be vigilant, as this will minimise your mistakes.
Comment on “Anti-Chinese Violence”.
Copyright Indonesia Matters 2006-2025
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact
Hi guys I have just read some of the arguments that you have written. I agree in some aspects such as no genetic inheritance that differ human beings. I think it is all motivation and environment. Honestly I am chinese and I realized that in any countries there are forms of facism. However, we have to remind the younger generation to see far in the future. I believe we are in the middle of religious war. Kids were told to hate other racist.
These all are mistakes of previous leaders who did not care about social development. Look how Marxism rise and how lenin got power and how Hittler managed to get power by expressing his madness. This is because terrorism is a function of income. Indonesian people especially native are poor and this is because their own government which are the natives itself who devastated the countries from time to time by being less discipline and money minded.
Look at Israel, 20 years ago they only can export dates, but now they can even make their own Tomahawk. Beside that, the ethical code of preventing other race to become government officer is one of the major cause that Indonesian ethnics are not mixed and they have weird perceptions on each other. This is really silly. I am an economist and I dont think I will go home because there is no chance for me to contribute my skills and knowledge to my “Country”.
I believe in the long run, there will be brain drain and those left behind are the poor. Be like US or UK, they are strong industrialised countries with strong human rights protection where whoever is smart is going to be rewarded. Unlike Indonesia, you are smart but you will have lots and lots of enemies especially if you are chinese and not Muslim. Honestly if this country want to be better off in the future and not going to be the next target after middle east, they have to change, be more democratic and protect human rights and strengthen anti discrimination law.