Violence in Indonesia
Oliver Martin

This past year saw substantial change and major violence unfold in Indonesia’s political and economic environment. The climactic event was the end of President Suharto’s three decade absolute rule in May. Since that time, violence has ensued, gripping the nation in bloodshed.

In the past week, regions of Indonesia have seen mass rioting and major public unrest. As dawn broke Saturday, on the worst-hit island of Ambon, the city streets were empty except for patrolling government troops.

This latest wave of violence occurred between gangs of Christians and Muslims. The privately owned news network SCTV, reported the clashes between the two religious groups stem from an attack by a group of Muslim men against a Christian man, whom they accused of being drunk and of insulting their Islamic beliefs. The rioting soon spread, gripping Indonesia in violence during one of the holiest feasts on the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr, which comes at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Ironically, this is supposed to be a time of peace and reconciliation.

About 90 per cent of Indonesia’s 209 million people are Muslim, making it the world’s most populated Islamic country. The riots hit areas with large Christian populations, focusing on Ambon and many of the other islands in the east of the huge archipelago.

On Monday, Indonesia’s military threatened to shoot rioters if the civil unrest did not subside. The police encouraged civilians to sleep in military barracks and police stations to avoid the mobs of people rampaging the towns. At last count, 47 people have been killed, but police and military officials said the toll is expected to rise. Eastern Indonesia’s military commander, Major General Amir Sembiring, warned searchers were beginning to find more victims of the violence in the ashes of dozens of burned-out buildings. Many of the victims were stabbed, beaten or trapped in fires. Some were attacked with rocks, machetes, clubs and even bows and arrows.

The airport in Ambon remains closed to commercial flights, as the Indonesian military attempts to get the situation under control. A curfew has been imposed to prevent further fighting between rival Christian and Muslim gangs on the islands of Ambon, Sanana and Seram. About 2,500 more soldiers and police are expected to enter the area to begin 24-hour patrols.

President B.J. Habibie called for calm and religious reconciliation. If not achieved, he has reportedly given the authority to his military commanders to use all measures at their disposal to quell the disturbances. Major General Sembiring was quoted by the official Antara news agency as saying, "We urge them to keep their arms at home. Should they continue to disobey, we will order our troops to fire."

During his 32 year authoritarian rule, Suharto used the might of the military to quell communal violence and political dissent. But since his departure, the position of the military has weakened amid accusations it committed widespread human rights abuses during Suharto’s era.

With the state of the economy, social unrest remains a major obstacle for President Habibie to overcome. Even if the military and police manage to get things under control, the fact remains the seeds of religions and ethnic violence have now been sown. Traditionally, the Indonesian government has always been fearful of ethnic and religious rivalries exploding around the large archipelago region. Habibie’s actions in the next couple of days will be very important for the state of Indonesia.