Almost every day we saw on television, heard on the radio, and read in the news paper about so many people getting easily angered and staged violence in public places, although only triggered by trivial matters.
They show their anger in many ways, such as the emergence of motorcycle gang after the murder of a Naval officer, clashes between member of the Army and the Police in Gorontalo, and an Army Captain acting arrogantly against a civilian in Jakarta.
Kompas wrote that aggressive behavior is a result of pressure due to various uncertainties in our country, ranging from Legal, Social, Politic, Economic, and even Religion.
Muji Sutrisno, a lecturer at the Dyarkara Philosophy School in Jakarta, was quoted as saying that today's society is losing a good role model. Figures or institutions that are expected to set an example and wisdom, it turns out most of them become part of the problem. It's hard to find someone who can be trusted.
He went on to say that such society can be called a Distrust Society i.e a Society that losses trust. If this goes on and on, our nation may loss Morality, Ethics and Wisdom.
Considering the above, I hope that all our politicians would always think and act as patrons for our society i.e. by upholding national unity based on our Constitutions, Laws, Pancasila and Traditions. And most of all, the laws must be enforced properly.
Showing posts with label Violence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Violence. Show all posts
Monday, May 7, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Biker Gangs, Terrorists and Law Enforcement
These gangs seems to be very strong that the Police seems to be facing big difficulties in taking action against them. Maybe because there were some strong people who were involved in the gangs' activities, for example in the latest incident the Police arrested four Army soldiers allegedly involved in a string of assault that left one man dead and at least 13 others injured.
The case was totally different when the Police were facing alleged "terrorists", who were reported to be trained and well armed, whereby they always succeeded in killing most of them and arresting some of them.
The above mentioned facts have made me asked the following questions :
Are the biker gangs more powerful than the trained and armed "terrorists" ?
Or, they were only made to look as if they were that strong ?
Photo : Courtesy of Republika
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Freedom Vs. Security
After nine months of debates and discussions with top government officials, last Tuesday the House of Representatives finally decided to accept the Intelligence Bill.
According to the news media the House's said decision was protested by some human rights and liberal democratic activists, who said that the new Intelligence Law would endanger democracy in general, and limit freedom of expression in particular.
One of the things they objected is the right to wiretap phone calls, which they thought might be abused by the intelligence agencies especially the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
Due to this fact, activists groups like the Indonesian Corruption Watch, Legal Aid Foundation, Kontras, Impartial, Elsam and other NGO planned to request the Constitutional Court to conduct a Judicial Review on Articles 25 and 26 of the said Law regarding Secret Intelligence Information including the criteria of State Security and Defense, Natural Treasure, National Economic Resilience, and Foreign Policy Interest.
As a lover of democracy, I felt that the new Intelligence Law would surely limit people's freedom therefore its implementations should be closely observe by the society so as to avoid any abuse of power.
However, as a peace loving citizen, I believe that our country, which still has so many poor people, can only develop properly if peace and order exist, if there is no acts of terrors, violence and bombings. And that can only be achieved if there is strong law enforcement that is balanced with citizen's freedom to think, speak and act on whatever is good for the people and country.
Considering the above, I felt that as long as the implementation is according to the laws and regulations, it is okay to give certain power to the intelligence agency. For example said Law ruled that wire taping can only be done if there is permit from the Court of Law.
According to the news media the House's said decision was protested by some human rights and liberal democratic activists, who said that the new Intelligence Law would endanger democracy in general, and limit freedom of expression in particular.
One of the things they objected is the right to wiretap phone calls, which they thought might be abused by the intelligence agencies especially the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
Due to this fact, activists groups like the Indonesian Corruption Watch, Legal Aid Foundation, Kontras, Impartial, Elsam and other NGO planned to request the Constitutional Court to conduct a Judicial Review on Articles 25 and 26 of the said Law regarding Secret Intelligence Information including the criteria of State Security and Defense, Natural Treasure, National Economic Resilience, and Foreign Policy Interest.
As a lover of democracy, I felt that the new Intelligence Law would surely limit people's freedom therefore its implementations should be closely observe by the society so as to avoid any abuse of power.
However, as a peace loving citizen, I believe that our country, which still has so many poor people, can only develop properly if peace and order exist, if there is no acts of terrors, violence and bombings. And that can only be achieved if there is strong law enforcement that is balanced with citizen's freedom to think, speak and act on whatever is good for the people and country.
Considering the above, I felt that as long as the implementation is according to the laws and regulations, it is okay to give certain power to the intelligence agency. For example said Law ruled that wire taping can only be done if there is permit from the Court of Law.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Disharmony in Ambon
Two groups of people clashed in the town of Ambon, Maluku Province, killing at least three people and injuring eighty nine others.
Beside that, two cars, four motorcycles and three houses were burned to the ground during said violence.
The Jakarta Globe quoted the spokesman of the National Police Anton Bahrul Alam as saying that the violence was sparked by a traffic accident that caused the death of an Ojek (Motorcycle Taxi) driver i.e Damin Saiman.
However, an sms sent by unknown people saying that Darmin was tortured to death by members of the other group. Word of mouth prompted a violent clash between the two group, one of which includes the family of Darmin.
The spokesman also said that the Police is now investigating who is responsible for the sms, but no arrest has been made so far. The over-all situation in Ambon is stable now.
The above violence show that the relationship among people in Ambon is still fragile whereby they can be provoked to do violence against each other very easily just by the circulation of a mysterious sms.
As a first step, the laws should be enforced very strictly on anyone alleged to be responsible for the violence and must be processed in Court.
Beside that, two cars, four motorcycles and three houses were burned to the ground during said violence.
The Jakarta Globe quoted the spokesman of the National Police Anton Bahrul Alam as saying that the violence was sparked by a traffic accident that caused the death of an Ojek (Motorcycle Taxi) driver i.e Damin Saiman.
However, an sms sent by unknown people saying that Darmin was tortured to death by members of the other group. Word of mouth prompted a violent clash between the two group, one of which includes the family of Darmin.
The spokesman also said that the Police is now investigating who is responsible for the sms, but no arrest has been made so far. The over-all situation in Ambon is stable now.
The above violence show that the relationship among people in Ambon is still fragile whereby they can be provoked to do violence against each other very easily just by the circulation of a mysterious sms.
As a first step, the laws should be enforced very strictly on anyone alleged to be responsible for the violence and must be processed in Court.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Please Protect Us
Yesterday, President SBY called on Indonesians not to rely on the Police and asked us to help fight extremism.
The Jakarta Globe quoted the President as saying that Indonesia is now facing a continuous and serious threat in terrorism and in horizontal violence.
Horizontal violence, a term often used in reference to student bullying, refers to abuse or aggression by individuals on their peers around them.
I hope that the President has instructed the intelligence networks, especially the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) to improve their performance in monitoring and detecting any kinds of activities that might pose a threat to our national security, such as the so called Indonesian Islamic State (NII) movement, those who spread Book Bombs, those who plan any kinds of violence, and other acts of crimes.
Moreover, I also hope that the President has instructed the Police to improve their performance in serving and protecting the society.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Please Take Action Against Violence
The Minister of Education Muhammad Nuh said in Jogyakarta today that the government is considering plans to include tolerance class as an effort to avoid conflicts among people of different religion, race, tradition in Indonesia.
The Jakarta Globe quoted the Minister as saying that schools were in the “front lines” in the battle against intolerance, which he said was a serious threat to national unity. He cited deadly attacks against Ahmadiyah, a minority Muslim sect, as well as riots against Christian communities perpetrated by hard-liners.
Frankly speaking, I believe that Indonesian school students have already been fully fed with indoctrination.
We already have the Pendidikan Moral Pancasila (Pancasila Moral Education) which teaches about the Pancasila as our five national principles i.e. Believe in God, Humanity, Unity, Democracy and Social Justice. But considering the various intolerance that often exists, I often heard people ask what's the use of having such lesson.
In my opinion what is urgent right now is to start taking actions against anyone or organization that adopted violence. President SBY should be consistent with his promise to take action against such organizations. He must not tolerate Cabinet minister who speak and act differently, like the Minister of Interior Gumawan Fauzi who met and talked friendly with the leader of violent organization FPI soon after SBY threatened to ban violent organizations. This sign of weakness has made FPI reacted by threatening to overthrow the government, which is simply a nonsense.
By taking serious legal actions against anyone or organization that adopt violence it would make others hesitate before using violence. It would therefore make the society feel secured.
The Jakarta Globe quoted the Minister as saying that schools were in the “front lines” in the battle against intolerance, which he said was a serious threat to national unity. He cited deadly attacks against Ahmadiyah, a minority Muslim sect, as well as riots against Christian communities perpetrated by hard-liners.
Frankly speaking, I believe that Indonesian school students have already been fully fed with indoctrination.
We already have the Pendidikan Moral Pancasila (Pancasila Moral Education) which teaches about the Pancasila as our five national principles i.e. Believe in God, Humanity, Unity, Democracy and Social Justice. But considering the various intolerance that often exists, I often heard people ask what's the use of having such lesson.
In my opinion what is urgent right now is to start taking actions against anyone or organization that adopted violence. President SBY should be consistent with his promise to take action against such organizations. He must not tolerate Cabinet minister who speak and act differently, like the Minister of Interior Gumawan Fauzi who met and talked friendly with the leader of violent organization FPI soon after SBY threatened to ban violent organizations. This sign of weakness has made FPI reacted by threatening to overthrow the government, which is simply a nonsense.
By taking serious legal actions against anyone or organization that adopt violence it would make others hesitate before using violence. It would therefore make the society feel secured.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
FPI Beaten by Housewives
All this time, the news media have always been reporting about FPI frightening people with their violent actions.
That's why I was surprised, and very happy, when I read on The Jakarta Globe that the Chairman of FPI in North Sumatera, and a number of his armed followers were forced to flee to safety after they attempted to evict a mother and her newborn baby from a disputed property in Medan, last Tuesday.
Though the FPI men escaped without injury, their car was badly damaged by the rampaging women.
I hope that what those housewives done would be followed by other people who are attacked by FPI, and the Police would not hesitate to take actions against them.
That's why I was surprised, and very happy, when I read on The Jakarta Globe that the Chairman of FPI in North Sumatera, and a number of his armed followers were forced to flee to safety after they attempted to evict a mother and her newborn baby from a disputed property in Medan, last Tuesday.
Though the FPI men escaped without injury, their car was badly damaged by the rampaging women.
I hope that what those housewives done would be followed by other people who are attacked by FPI, and the Police would not hesitate to take actions against them.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Please Eliminate Violent Organizations
On 6 February 2011, an Ahmadiyah secte community in Cikeusik, Banten was attacked by a mob of 1,500 people from outside the village and killed 3 secte followers.
On 8 February, several churches in the town of Temanggung, Central Java, were damaged by a group of people who were very angry at the verdict of local district court which has passed a sentenced lighter than they expected to a Christian man who they alleged had conducted blasphemy on Islam.
In reaction to the above violent actions, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) made a very wonderful statement that instructed law enforcement agencies to disband any organization that practiced violence.
The president's statement has annoyed the FPI, an organization that claimed that they practiced violence in the name of Islam. They threatened that if the government disband their organization they will overthrow SBY and his government. This is clearly a crime against the state according to the Criminal Law.
But to my disappointment, the President's aides do not seemed to be worried at FPI's above threat.
The Coordinating Minister for Politics, Laws and Security Djoko Suyanto told reporters that the President's statement was not addressed to the FPI.
The Minister of Home Affairs Gamawan Fauizi even met with the leader of FPI and implied as if everything is okay.
While the Chief of National Police Timur Pradopo did not give direct answer when reporters asked him about FPI's threat.
The government's seemingly ignorant reactions to above violence has caused another violent attack in the town of Pasuruan, East Java. This time another group of people who claimed to be acting in the name of Islam has attacked an Islamic boarding school that they alleged to belong to the Shiite secte.
Considering the above mentioned facts, I hope that the President was really serious when he made his above statement and by instruct once again all the law enforcement agencies to disband organizations that practice violence in our society.
On 8 February, several churches in the town of Temanggung, Central Java, were damaged by a group of people who were very angry at the verdict of local district court which has passed a sentenced lighter than they expected to a Christian man who they alleged had conducted blasphemy on Islam.
In reaction to the above violent actions, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) made a very wonderful statement that instructed law enforcement agencies to disband any organization that practiced violence.
The president's statement has annoyed the FPI, an organization that claimed that they practiced violence in the name of Islam. They threatened that if the government disband their organization they will overthrow SBY and his government. This is clearly a crime against the state according to the Criminal Law.
But to my disappointment, the President's aides do not seemed to be worried at FPI's above threat.
The Coordinating Minister for Politics, Laws and Security Djoko Suyanto told reporters that the President's statement was not addressed to the FPI.
The Minister of Home Affairs Gamawan Fauizi even met with the leader of FPI and implied as if everything is okay.
While the Chief of National Police Timur Pradopo did not give direct answer when reporters asked him about FPI's threat.
The government's seemingly ignorant reactions to above violence has caused another violent attack in the town of Pasuruan, East Java. This time another group of people who claimed to be acting in the name of Islam has attacked an Islamic boarding school that they alleged to belong to the Shiite secte.
Considering the above mentioned facts, I hope that the President was really serious when he made his above statement and by instruct once again all the law enforcement agencies to disband organizations that practice violence in our society.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Inter-Religious Disharmony
When Indonesia was ruled by authoritarian regimes, inter-religious relationship in the country was harmonious. This is obvious because those regimes would do anything to make people obey the Constitution which ruled that citizens are free to choose any religions or faith.
Things changed drastically after 20 May 1998 when democracy came to Indonesia and human rights became the most important factor in the country. As a result, the government and its law enforcement agencies tend to hesitate every time they want to take actions against violators of the laws.
This situation was used by radical people who claimed to be representing Islam to commit violence in Maluku, Sulawesi, and other regions almost without resistances. Whereas the two major Islam organizations in the country, Nahdatul Ulama (NU) and Muhamadiyah seemed to be silence.
In 2002, those radicals committed suicide bombings in Bali killing 202 people and injuring 209 others mostly foreign tourists, followed by a series of suicide bombings in 2003, 2004 (Jakarta), 2005 (Bali) and 2009 (Jakarta).
After the 2002 bombings, the government established one of the best anti-terrorist Police unit in the world i.e. DENSUS-88 which was very successful in hunting, capturing and eliminating those involved.
Unfortunately beside those armed violence, there were other violence made by similar radical groups.
Last September 13 members of the FPI attacked a church in Bekasi, West Java, stabbed a priest and beat a member of congregation. However, last Tuesday the Prosecutor only demanded a 6-months jail term for the leader of those attackers.
Last Sunday a mob of 1,500 angry people attacked the mosque of the Ahmadiyah minority sect rejected by Muslims, in Cikeusik, Banten Province, last Sunday killing three members of the sect.
And yesterday an angry crowd dissatisfied with the verdict of the District Court of Temanggung, Central Java, handed down to a man suspected of blasphemy, set fire to the Bethel and Pantekosta churhes and threw stones at the Santo Petrus and Paulus churches.
In reaction to the both violence, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) has instructed law enforcement agencies to take action on those responsible for the attacks and disband radical groups that are involved in the attacks.
Further, GP Ansor, the youth organization of N.U as the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, has sent its members to help reparation of the damaged churches.
Meanwhile, in order to settle the Ahmadiyah case, this evening the House of Representatives has invited the Chief of Police and Minister of Religious Affairs discuss about possible solution.
I hope that the government and the law enforcement agencies would immediately take serious actions as instructed by the president and bring everyone responsible for the attacks to justice, punish them severely and disband any groups or organizations that practice and/or condone violence.
Regarding the Ahmadiyah, perhaps we can follow its origin Pakistan which recognized it as an independent religion separated from Islam. But considering that its existence in Indonesia has been legally recognized since 1953, and efforts to solve this matter by the 2008 Joint Decree of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Home Affairs and Attorney General has not been effective, I hope that the Ahmadiyah would be involved in the discussion about its existence.
Sources :
- Turning Blind Eye to Religious Bullies (The Jakarta Globe)
- Bekasi FPI Leader Faces 6-Months Sentence .... (The Jakarta Globe)
- Police Negligent in Ahmadiyah Attack (Tempointeraktif)
- Bom Bali 2002 (Wikipedia)
- Bom JW Marriot 2003 (Wikipedia)
- Bom Kedubes Australia 2004 (Wikipedia)
- Bom Bali 2005 (Wikipedia)
- Bom Jakarta 2009 (Wikipedia)
Things changed drastically after 20 May 1998 when democracy came to Indonesia and human rights became the most important factor in the country. As a result, the government and its law enforcement agencies tend to hesitate every time they want to take actions against violators of the laws.
This situation was used by radical people who claimed to be representing Islam to commit violence in Maluku, Sulawesi, and other regions almost without resistances. Whereas the two major Islam organizations in the country, Nahdatul Ulama (NU) and Muhamadiyah seemed to be silence.
In 2002, those radicals committed suicide bombings in Bali killing 202 people and injuring 209 others mostly foreign tourists, followed by a series of suicide bombings in 2003, 2004 (Jakarta), 2005 (Bali) and 2009 (Jakarta).
After the 2002 bombings, the government established one of the best anti-terrorist Police unit in the world i.e. DENSUS-88 which was very successful in hunting, capturing and eliminating those involved.
Unfortunately beside those armed violence, there were other violence made by similar radical groups.
Last September 13 members of the FPI attacked a church in Bekasi, West Java, stabbed a priest and beat a member of congregation. However, last Tuesday the Prosecutor only demanded a 6-months jail term for the leader of those attackers.
Last Sunday a mob of 1,500 angry people attacked the mosque of the Ahmadiyah minority sect rejected by Muslims, in Cikeusik, Banten Province, last Sunday killing three members of the sect.
And yesterday an angry crowd dissatisfied with the verdict of the District Court of Temanggung, Central Java, handed down to a man suspected of blasphemy, set fire to the Bethel and Pantekosta churhes and threw stones at the Santo Petrus and Paulus churches.
In reaction to the both violence, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) has instructed law enforcement agencies to take action on those responsible for the attacks and disband radical groups that are involved in the attacks.
Further, GP Ansor, the youth organization of N.U as the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, has sent its members to help reparation of the damaged churches.
Meanwhile, in order to settle the Ahmadiyah case, this evening the House of Representatives has invited the Chief of Police and Minister of Religious Affairs discuss about possible solution.
I hope that the government and the law enforcement agencies would immediately take serious actions as instructed by the president and bring everyone responsible for the attacks to justice, punish them severely and disband any groups or organizations that practice and/or condone violence.
Regarding the Ahmadiyah, perhaps we can follow its origin Pakistan which recognized it as an independent religion separated from Islam. But considering that its existence in Indonesia has been legally recognized since 1953, and efforts to solve this matter by the 2008 Joint Decree of the Minister of Religion, Minister of Home Affairs and Attorney General has not been effective, I hope that the Ahmadiyah would be involved in the discussion about its existence.
Sources :
- Turning Blind Eye to Religious Bullies (The Jakarta Globe)
- Bekasi FPI Leader Faces 6-Months Sentence .... (The Jakarta Globe)
- Police Negligent in Ahmadiyah Attack (Tempointeraktif)
- Bom Bali 2002 (Wikipedia)
- Bom JW Marriot 2003 (Wikipedia)
- Bom Kedubes Australia 2004 (Wikipedia)
- Bom Bali 2005 (Wikipedia)
- Bom Jakarta 2009 (Wikipedia)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Notorious FPI
On 21 May 1998, President Soeharto stepped down after 32 year of authoritarian rule, since then Indonesia experienced a liberal democratic system.
One of the by product of such system is the creation of an organization called Front Pembela Islam (FPI) or Islamic Defender Front in 1998.
In spite of its name, FPI's actions did not reflect that of a religious organization, its members often carried out brutal violence such as raiding entertainment places and making threats. The worst thing is that most of such actions were untouchable by the law. For that reason, many people alleged that FPI has been maintained by the Police and/or the military for certain purpose.
The latest act act of violence was on 24 June when a group of people who claimed to be members of FPI ransacked a seminar organized by some members of the House of Representatives in Banyuwangi, East Java, which FPI accused has been organized illegally by former members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) which was disbanded in 1965.
The above acts of violence have been strongly protested by the public, many of them demanded that FPI should be disbanded.
However, in several TV interviews FPI's spokesman denied that they took part in the said violence in Banyuwangi, saying that FPI has changed its paradigm from violence to non violence, and will dismiss members who do not obey this rule.
Further, FPI accused that its name has been used by certain people to divert public's attention from far more important things that is happening in Indonesia today.
Considering the fact that FPI's frequent violent actions were almost untouchable by the laws, I felt that FPI has been intentionally maintained by the security agencies to do things which would divert public's attention from far more important things in life like the (10% to 20%) electricity hike starting 1 July. And such action seems to be quite successful.
I hope that the law enforcement agencies would investigate all allegations against FPI and punish them if proven guilty.
Related articles in the media :
- Islamic Defenders Front (Wikipedia)
- Daftar Aksi Front Pembela Islam (Wikipedia)
- Front Pembela Islam (FPI) in Indonesia (Indonesia Matters)
- Kronologis Peristiwa Banyuwangi (FPI site)
- Ulil: FPI Harus Dibubarkan (Tempo)
- Rieke Punya Bukti Keterlibatan FPI (Kompas)
- Tuntutan Pembubaran FPI Tidak Mengada-Ada (Legalitas)
- Menko Polkam: Percuma Kita Bubarkan (Rakyat Merdeka)
One of the by product of such system is the creation of an organization called Front Pembela Islam (FPI) or Islamic Defender Front in 1998.
In spite of its name, FPI's actions did not reflect that of a religious organization, its members often carried out brutal violence such as raiding entertainment places and making threats. The worst thing is that most of such actions were untouchable by the law. For that reason, many people alleged that FPI has been maintained by the Police and/or the military for certain purpose.
The latest act act of violence was on 24 June when a group of people who claimed to be members of FPI ransacked a seminar organized by some members of the House of Representatives in Banyuwangi, East Java, which FPI accused has been organized illegally by former members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) which was disbanded in 1965.
The above acts of violence have been strongly protested by the public, many of them demanded that FPI should be disbanded.
However, in several TV interviews FPI's spokesman denied that they took part in the said violence in Banyuwangi, saying that FPI has changed its paradigm from violence to non violence, and will dismiss members who do not obey this rule.
Further, FPI accused that its name has been used by certain people to divert public's attention from far more important things that is happening in Indonesia today.
Considering the fact that FPI's frequent violent actions were almost untouchable by the laws, I felt that FPI has been intentionally maintained by the security agencies to do things which would divert public's attention from far more important things in life like the (10% to 20%) electricity hike starting 1 July. And such action seems to be quite successful.
I hope that the law enforcement agencies would investigate all allegations against FPI and punish them if proven guilty.
Related articles in the media :
- Islamic Defenders Front (Wikipedia)
- Daftar Aksi Front Pembela Islam (Wikipedia)
- Front Pembela Islam (FPI) in Indonesia (Indonesia Matters)
- Kronologis Peristiwa Banyuwangi (FPI site)
- Ulil: FPI Harus Dibubarkan (Tempo)
- Rieke Punya Bukti Keterlibatan FPI (Kompas)
- Tuntutan Pembubaran FPI Tidak Mengada-Ada (Legalitas)
- Menko Polkam: Percuma Kita Bubarkan (Rakyat Merdeka)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Violence in Batam
" When in Rome do as the Romans do " that's a well known adage which imply that foreigners should respect the laws, regulations, traditions, ethics of a country they are visiting.
That's what I thought when I read on The Jakarta Globe about the violence against Indian nationals working in the Island of Batam, which was triggered by a humiliating remark made by one of the Indian workers about the Indonesian people.
I never condone violence, but I can never understand why foreigners humiliate Indonesia. Therefore, I hope that a comprehensive investigation would be carried out to find out the cause of violence, and anyone responsible would be prosecuted and punished according to the law.
April 22, 2010
Jakarta Globe
Breaking News: Violence at Batam Port Targets Foreigners
Reports are emerging of violence directed against Indian nationals employed by PT Drydock World Graha in Batam, Riau Islands province.
State news agency Antara is reporting that 41 Indian workers employed by the company were escorted by 400 police, including the armed Mobile Brigade (Brimob), from the company premises after they were attacked by local workers.
At least four of the workers were injured and about 20 vehicles set alight, Antara reported. The offices have also been trashed,.
One worker was quoted by Antara as alleging that the unrest was triggered after an Indian national said “Indonesian people were stupid.”
“This is national pride, so we are all angry,” the local, identified as Baim, said.
About 10,000 Indonesians were observed crowding the company premises singing “Great Indonesia” and other patriotic songs, Antara reported.
The National Maritime Institute (Namarin) said the recent violence at Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta was likely to raise shipping insurance costs, and its “international reputation as an export and import gate will plummet.”
The Joint War Committee, a London organization that analyzes shipping risks, had listed maritime regions in Indonesia as “war risk zones” that might pose dangers to domestic or international ships.
That's what I thought when I read on The Jakarta Globe about the violence against Indian nationals working in the Island of Batam, which was triggered by a humiliating remark made by one of the Indian workers about the Indonesian people.
I never condone violence, but I can never understand why foreigners humiliate Indonesia. Therefore, I hope that a comprehensive investigation would be carried out to find out the cause of violence, and anyone responsible would be prosecuted and punished according to the law.
April 22, 2010
Jakarta Globe
Breaking News: Violence at Batam Port Targets Foreigners
Reports are emerging of violence directed against Indian nationals employed by PT Drydock World Graha in Batam, Riau Islands province.
State news agency Antara is reporting that 41 Indian workers employed by the company were escorted by 400 police, including the armed Mobile Brigade (Brimob), from the company premises after they were attacked by local workers.
At least four of the workers were injured and about 20 vehicles set alight, Antara reported. The offices have also been trashed,.
One worker was quoted by Antara as alleging that the unrest was triggered after an Indian national said “Indonesian people were stupid.”
“This is national pride, so we are all angry,” the local, identified as Baim, said.
About 10,000 Indonesians were observed crowding the company premises singing “Great Indonesia” and other patriotic songs, Antara reported.
The National Maritime Institute (Namarin) said the recent violence at Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta was likely to raise shipping insurance costs, and its “international reputation as an export and import gate will plummet.”
The Joint War Committee, a London organization that analyzes shipping risks, had listed maritime regions in Indonesia as “war risk zones” that might pose dangers to domestic or international ships.
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