Lack of respect and empathy is behind the clash between students at the Arastamar Theological College (Setia) and residents of Kampung Pulo, East Jakarta, according to a sociologist.
"I'm neither on the residents' side nor on the students'. I don't think this is about religious or ethnic differences. It's not about the minority versus the majority, either. It's more about social behavior," Robert Markus Zaka Lawang, a professor at the University of Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post.
"If residents and students had been polite and respected each other, the clash would not have happened.
"Indonesians tend to take the law into their own hands. This has been a bad habit for some time and it's absolutely not right. This clash proves most of our citizens have yet to grow up," he said.
Based on his observations, Indonesians found it difficult to bear differences in public behavior, he added.
"For example, a person expects others to act like him and do things the way he does. This is a childish way of thinking. We can't force people to be like us. We will never move forward if we keep thinking like this," he added.
This is not the first time neighborhood residents have had difficulties with universities or organizations.
In June 2005, students at the Christian University of Indonesia became involved in an altercation with residents of Cawang, East Jakarta, during a soccer match.
The game ended with stones and Molotov cocktails being thrown. Four students and a resident were injured in the incident.
In July 2006, a clash occurred between a local organization and new residents in Sunter, North Jakarta.
The conflict began when residents allegedly stabbed two members of the organization, angering fellow organization members, who then retaliated against residents. Four people were injured in the confrontation.
Robert suggested students blend in with area residents and show their solidarity with the neighborhood.
"Residents should try to do the same thing. Both sides should be able to refrain from violence in settling any differences," he said.
"If the residents discover a student does something illegal, they should immediately report it to the police. The most important thing is not to take the law into one's own hands," he added.
