What is happening in Indonesia these days?

A Reflection on the current situation in the Indonesian Archipelago
 

Rev John Barr  -  Secretary for Indonesia
Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly
 

Many people are confused by what is happening throughout the Indonesian
archipelago. The times are uncertain. Life is dangerous as major events
unfold.

In the Maluku Islands, sectarian warfare is rampant. In West Papua,
indigenous Papuans have declared independence for their homeland. In Timor,
refugee camps still house more than one hundred thousand people in sub
standard conditions while just across border, East Timor (Timor Lorosae) is
now on the road to nationhood after twenty four years of Indonesian
occupation.

The Asian economic crisis, the fall of the Suharto military regime and the
emergence of an important yet fragile democracy has created a vacuum in the
region. Traditional tribal rivalries and ancient group suspicions have
re-surfaced. These rivalries and suspicions were suppressed in the recent
past by authoritarian rule. Now the nation state backed by an autocratic,
centralised government based in Jakarta no longer rules supreme. Localised
ethnic identities and religious allegiances form the chief basis upon which
social interaction and political organisation takes place.

This represents a massive shift. The center (Jakarta) no longer exercises
absolute power over the periphery (distant islands of the Indonesian
archipelago). We are witnessing the breaking up of a nation state and this
scenario is creating all sorts of opportunities where some communities are
able to actively demonstrate their longing for justice and freedom. Other
communities are not so lucky. Such a massive shift has sparked endless
violence and the massive dislocation of  tens of thousands of people.

Recently I was in West Papua (Irian Jaya) where I was deeply moved by
indigenous Papuans and their passion for independence. Papuan culture,
Papuan identity and Papuan history have an integral place in their lives as
they make sense of who they are and where they are going. There is an
enthusiastic drive towards independence in West Papua and it’s a drive that
is gathering tremendous momentum.

Further west in the Maluku Islands, one witnesses a different story. Here
local communities are being attacked and wiped out in a brutal sectarian
conflict that has divided the region along religious and ethnic lines. These
days religious allegiance in the Maluku Islands can determine whether one
lives or dies for the region is polarised around distinct Christian and
Muslim enclaves that are armed and ready to defend themselves.

East Timor  (Timor Lorosae) is another story. After years of struggle this
new nation is now free to choose its own destiny. Yet East Timor’s triumph
has come at a huge price. Violence, trauma and the massive upheaval of
nearly half the population has left a deep impression on the community.
Under the wing of a massive United Nations and Non Government Organisation
presence, East Timor (Timor Lorosae) is rebuilding.

This will be a long, arduous process as infrastructures are rebuilt,
institutions are recreated and systems of leadership and government are
re-established. The people of East Timor (Timor Lorosae) have survived a
long and testing nightmare. Under Portugal and Indonesia they were never
given the chance to build a nation for themselves. Now they have the
opportunity.

Meanwhile in the heartland of Indonesia (Java), democratic reforms together
with President Wahid’s attempt to deal with the military and point the
country in a new direction has led to some initial optimism. This optimism
has, unfortunately, been short-lived. Serious economic problems remain while
the new government appears reluctant to bring the former president, Suharto,
to justice in relation to charges of corruption and human rights abuses.

Indonesia’s heartland is also deeply concerned over what is seen to be rogue
independence movements in the outer islands. These movements threaten to
blow Indonesia apart. Not only would such a situation have repercussions in
terms of Java’s perception of “empire”. There would also be serious economic
consequences with the crippling loss of oil production, mining and forestry
resources.

Indonesia remains a country of huge contrasts and many contradictions. The
islands of this vast archipelago are some of our nearest and most important
neighbours. Yet the most glaring contradiction in all of this appears to be
centred on an inability by Australia and Indonesia to establish good
relationships between themselves. There are deep set suspicions on both
sides.

For example, I remember the moral outrage aimed against Indonesia by the
Australian public (and indeed the Australian government) during the East
Timor crisis. I was troubled by this because one suspects such outrage may
well have its roots in an anti-Asian, anti-Indonesian prejudice rather than
in a sincere passion for justice and a fair go for the East Timorese.

Little was reported during the time of the East Timor crisis regarding the
abuse of innocent Indonesians by some Australians. Incidents such as these
were quite disturbing and quite revealing. On the other hand, sections of
the Indonesian community do not help the process as the Australian flag gets
burnt in mock demonstrations outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Also
exaggerated claims made in Indonesia concerning the movement of Australian
military aircraft in Indonesian air space do not help. I believe a serious
cultural divide and a distinct lack of confidence characterises
relationships between Australia and Indonesia. While this exists, motives
and strategies on each side will be treated with a degree of antagonism and
mistrust. We must, at all costs, move beyond this strange stalemate.

The Uniting Church in Australia prides itself on a long and dedicated
commitment to building relationships with communities throughout the
Indonesian archipelago. Presently the Uniting Church is working with mission
partners in North Sulawesi (Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa), North Maluku
(Gereja Masehi Injili di Halmahera), Ambon (Gereja Protestan Maluku), Bali
(Gereja Protestan di Bali), Sumba (Gereja Kristen Sumba), West Timor (Gereja
Masehi Injili di Timor) and West Papua (Gereja Kristen di Irian Jaya). We
also work with the Protestant Church in East Timor. These are important
relationships in terms of mutual understanding and mutual support. They are
also important in terms of the gospel imperative to be the church throughout
world.

This Indonesian archipelago is, I believe, facing its most critical
challenge in the post-war period. The situation rivals the turbulent period
of the 1960’s when Suharto seized power and embarked on a bloody purge of
leftist political organisations. I am not prepared to predict any outcomes
to this current scenario. This is simply too difficult. I am, however,
prepared to say significant things will happen and it’s vitally important
that we are there with our mission partners. Our priority is to support,
encourage and journey alongside our partners as they struggle with the
issues and make important decisions, and as they celebrate the good things
of life and witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a most challenging and
dangerous time.

I believe relationships with Indonesia and East Timor essentially involve
being there for the long haul, of working with our mission partners no
matter what happens. I ask you, therefore, to pray for our mission partners
and to also pray for the work of International Mission. Pray that we will be
able to fulfil our mandate and maintain our level of commitment to Indonesia
and East Timor.

I also ask that you remember the Indonesia Crisis Appeal. Funding from this
appeal is being used to provide emergency humanitarian aid (food, medical
care and shelter) to thousands of refugees in Maluku, North Sulawesi and
West Timor. Donations can be made out to the “Indonesia Crisis Appeal” and
sent to PO Box A2266 Sydney South NSW 1235.

PO Box A2266 Sydney South 1235, Australia
Phone (02) 8267 4251; Fax (02) 8267 4222
Email jbarr@nat.uca.org.au