Merangkai SinoLogika: Bunga Rampai - Christine Susanna Tjhin

Koran Tempo, January 11, 2005 Di tengah hiruk-pikuk fatalnya bencana tsunami, meningkatnya jumlah kematian dan korban luka-luka, derasnya aliran pengungsi ke daerah aman, ramainya bantuan kemanusiaan dari berbagai penjuru, semrawutnya koordinasi aliran bantuan, dan simpang-siurnya informasi, masyarakat Indonesia masih harus menghadapi isu-isu yang berbau suku, agama, dan ras. Maraknya isu-isu ini merupakan konflik laten yang berpotensi besar menghambat jalannya proses bantuan kemanusiaan di Aceh dan Sumatera Utara, juga melukai kebersamaan masyarakat Indonesia yang beragam, yang selama ini terbangun secara alamiah dalam merespons bencana. Berdasarkan pengamatan dari tim relawan gabungan kami di Medan dan Banda Aceh, setidaknya ada beberapa rumor yang sudah berimplikasi besar. Isu penjarahan, pembakaran, dan pemerkosaan terhadap etnis Tionghoa, isu penganiayaan terhadap kelompok agama minoritas, dan beribu macam isu lain berseliweran, terutama melalui surat elektronik dan pesan pend...

The Jakarta Post, January 8, 2005 The compassionate appeal made by Jusuf Wanandi to all citizens, particularly Chinese-Indonesians, to help Aceh and Indonesia cannot be emphasized enough (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 4). The caution to dismiss politics in the long-term handling of humanitarian aid goes hand in hand with the urgent need and grim future of the tsunami victims and refugees. The opportunity for reconciliation may be in peril because of racial and religious prejudices, if you believe the rumors circulating around Aceh, Jakarta and beyond. Based on our observations in the field, there are several major issues that could cause conflict. At stake is not only the rehabilitation of Aceh, but also the very foundation of Indonesian unity. False stories about looting, burning and rape targeting the ethnic Chinese in Aceh, the abuse of religious minorities and other rumors have been circulating via email and SMS. Some people responded to these ridiculous rumors by calling for a stop...