Issue: ‘Betawi group threatens to harass Malaysians’

The Jakarta Post   |  Wed, 09/16/2009 2:55 PM  |  Reader's Forum

Sharing concerns: A protester unfurls a banner in front of the Malaysian Embassy in South Jakarta to protest a TV spot promoting Malaysia that featured the Balinese Pendet dance. Indonesians have been outraged recently over what they say is Malaysia’s claims to their culture. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)Sharing concerns: A protester unfurls a banner in front of the Malaysian Embassy in South Jakarta to protest a TV spot promoting Malaysia that featured the Balinese Pendet dance. Indonesians have been outraged recently over what they say is Malaysia’s claims to their culture. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)

Sept. 12, online

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s call for an end to excessive reactions against Malaysian nationals has fallen on deaf ears as a Betawi (Jakarta native ethnic) group reportedly plans to harass citizens of the neighboring country.

Barisan Muda Betawi (BMB) activists said they would conduct an ID check targeting Malaysians in a show of protest against the government’s failure to take tough measures against Malaysia’s disrespect for Indonesia.

Your comments

Well, I guess I have to cancel my Yogyakarta trip this Idul Fitri to visit my relatives there. Sigh…

Azlesham
Kuala Lumpur

Please don’t describe the BMB as a Betawi group, as if they were some kind of cultural society. They are a gang of thugs, just like many other groups in Jakarta who, if they are not chasing after Malaysians, are usually fighting with each other for control of extortion activities around markets and bus terminals.

David
Jakarta

Dear “Samson Betawi”, I am a Malaysian and a regular visitor to Jakarta and especially to East Jakarta, which includes Halim, Kebon Pala, etc. I know firsthand how pathetic and poor Betawi people are, especially those in East Jakarta.

So to my Barisan Muda Betawi (BMB) “friends”, this is my brotherly advice: Instead of wasting your time “sweeping” for Malaysians in Tangerang, I would suggest that all of you get a decent job and try to feed and clothe your families first! I know life must be frustrating for most you living in your current deprived state of life.

So a bit of “sweeping” may give you some excitement in your miserable daily lives?

I also know that many of you will happily demonstrate for any cause for a pack of nasi uduk, which costs Rp 2,500, and a small cup of mineral water. Better still, make your way to Malaysia legally if possible and get a job here. Any job for that matter, and get paid Rp 2-3 million a month! This is definitely more productive than going out “sweeping” for Malaysians.

Johari
Kuala Lumpur

Indonesia will be on the losing side. If this matter gets worse and the Malaysian government takes action to send home all the 2 million Indonesian workers in Malaysia, Indonesia will be burdened with greater and more complicated economic and political impact.

I don’t believe Malaysia will resort to that win-lose action. Malaysia will abide with this heavenly attitude – do good to those who hate you, love your enemies.

Ongus
Sabah

Indonesia must become a nuclear power so that our neighbors will not play with us.

Dato
Kendal

What nuclear power? The Indonesian government can’t even feed its own people so they run away by the millions to Malaysia, where opportunities are in abundance! Get your priorities right first, mister!

Zaiton
Kuala Lumpur

Can’t we just exist happily together as neighbors?

Tang
Bali

It seems that in Indonesia, in the name of democracy and nationalism, any group of people can totally ignore the authorities (even a democratically elected president, of all people) and take matters into their own hands. Viva Indonesia, the land of anarchy in the name of democracy.

Helmi Halim
Kuala Lumpur

Malaysians should stop traveling to Jakarta until it is safe to do so. Jakarta is now a dangerous place for Malaysians.

Their police will not stop the protesters as evidenced recently.

Mazridzuan Mohamad
Malacca, Malaysia

No more Indonesian trips for me. Hello, Korea!

Sam
Malaysia

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M (not verified), London — Thu, 09/24/2009 - 5:06am

No 1 - Racism, in any shape or form, is myopic. Be proud of who you are and where you are from. We all have a right to exist in this world and nationalism should not equal racism. Makes you no better than Nazis. No 2 - Whatever the Indonesians want to think, the divide between rich and poor is the real issue here, not nationals from other countries. It is up to the Indonesian people to improve their own lot, not others. Don't blame other people for your own problems, Indonesians and Malaysians alike. We all have our own difficulties and it is OUR OWN responsibility to resolve them. No 3 - If you want respect you have to treat other people with respect. May common sense prevail.

Ronaldo Top (not verified), Jakarta — Wed, 09/23/2009 - 12:05pm

I've seen this group of Betawis gather around Senayan stadium to guard the Olympic torch team from China back in 2008. All they do are just gather around and talk to each other like people with nothing better to do. Shouldn't this job of guarding the torch team belong to the police instead of some street thugs ? or are these Betawis paid to do this job. It seems like that to me. No wonder Betawis were run over by Javanese, Sundanese and people from other parts of indonesia in their own backyard. They're the laziest people in indonesia.

Neutral (not verified), Overseas — Tue, 09/22/2009 - 2:21pm

I think indonesia is taking too harsh of national pride. Just chill. All these anti-malaysian slogans and attitudes only makes things worst. I stay in gading.. and they were repairing the roads when i was on the way to the airport....i then took an overseas business trip to china where i realize they were repairing the roads too near my hotel. Within 5 days. everything was completed. and my taxi drove with ease to the airport. On returning to gading 2 weeks later the same workers lazing around were still repairing the roads. the reality of malaysia, singapore and indonesia. Indonesia is still way behind in terms of progress. i would like to see the politicians do something about poverty. The mindset of many indonesians is like not to look for "kemajuan" in their lives.. just live on what is required. And to just insult other nationalities, remember the riots in 98, does nothing but put indonesian down a step in making the nation advance.

Teuku Adenan (not verified), Kuala Lumpur — Mon, 09/21/2009 - 8:38pm

Let's face the fact. Let me know if you know a Malaysian going to Indonesia to rob and killed Indonesian. Let alone to rob your culture. But come to Malaysia, many Indonesians robbed the Malaysian people, killed the Malaysian people and 40% of those jailed inmates are Indonesian. If Indonesia is prosperous like Malaysia, I reckon that many Malaysian are killed by the Indonesian people. Thank God they are not that prosperous. Most of the Indonesians that hold good jobs are not the real clever. They are the ones with money to corrupt employers to get jobs. Even to join the army you have to pay. Don't point others but look into your country a corrupt country. If you Indonesian put the effort to overcome your corrupt practices, you don't have the time to raise these stupid issue of stealing one's culture. Culture is inherited even before Indonesia exist. Kalempong Gadang

Her (not verified), br — Mon, 09/21/2009 - 6:53am

The point of Johari (Kuala Lumpur) is: it is OK to be robbed or to have your property stolen if you are poor. You have to accept that.

Murthy (not verified), Penang — Sun, 09/20/2009 - 6:14pm

You Betawi people is a stupid and lazy people. I have many Indonesians friends who are decent and hard working. Your 'biadap' attitude is making life difficult for them. We Malaysians are very patient.. not like some uncultured idiots who like to burn flags.

Palani (not verified), Klang Malaysia — Sun, 09/20/2009 - 3:18pm

I treat my Indonesian freinds with dignity and respect in Malaysia as most of them are really hard working and earn a decent money to sent back to thier families back home.Please stop all the anti Malaysian protest or else we will stop coming to Indonesia. My trip to Jakarta and Bandung is now cancelled.

Jewdas (not verified), OAKLAND — Sun, 09/20/2009 - 12:56am

I used to think Singapore was cool. Most of singapore spoke Malaysian..though with a thick funny accent. It was material for a lot of funny conversations...with good feelings. But now? there is hardly a malay base anymore, and the humor is gone. You forgot to respect your hosts and now your country is a place for hell, overly material mentalities. THe Rainbow that was supposed to be Singapore has become harsh lightning. I never ever want to return to SIngapore. Im going TOkyo..then fly straight over SIngapore back..back.. to Jakarta.

Jewdas (not verified), OAKLAND — Sun, 09/20/2009 - 12:35am

i hate chinks: they are really really jealous. I know singapore. Singaporeans dont even iknow their own history: Things like chili crab etc are MALAY dishes. I can tell you SPECIFICALLY there is one hotel in the Arab District that is FAMOUS for its spicy fish/seafoods. FAMOUS. you can get a deep fried fish covered in chili. this restaurant used to be outside, NOT in a hotel. it USED to be a HOLE in the wALL which my gpops/maums and 7 kids went to eat. Gmaoom...taught them to add chili to the fish..it was JUST a chinese place before that! now? TOTALLY FORGOT. they have NO CLUE. I think the owners also passed, a good older singapore generation who was kind and got along with malays. ------------- DUTCH: understand, chink: that t he dutch was allowed to stay since they DIDNT COME HERE VIOLENTLY. but after a hundred or so years? all of management was DUTCH!!!! Then...finally the indo realized that..hey..what the hell happened? and then went to war....this around 1940's!!! ONCE we went to war...it was only a matter of time. BUT the japs arrived..but as CONQUERORS!!! they treated a lot of indo like shit. again..this is all a short time period... and it takes time to unify a country as huge and spread out as indonesia. Before we could say SHIT... the americans had bombed japan so japan left its territories. Given time...INdo would have kicked out all people. There is no doubt to this.. chink. --------- LOOK a real malay (well hes thai) selling food in oakland. its a good place. Naturally: all the chink thais cut it down, mentionenin lime tree. read it in sfgate: Old Weang Ping Village, Oakland . I just saw a movie in thailand and realize that a lot of thailand is malay. Its just the media and the ones who come here.. are all chinks. Vietnam has malays too but not as much..and again.. malays almost NEVER EVER come here. Thus people think vietnma, thailand is china! me TOO!!!!! I had to look in the background to remember that its Malaya. sO SOLLY SO solly

Brotherhood of man (not verified), Indonesia/Malaysia/Asean — Fri, 09/18/2009 - 4:55pm

Every comment & argument carries it own merit & demerit point and it is quite difficult to draw the line on who is right or wrong. I can only conclude that both Indonesia & Malaysia are great country created & blessed by God to have peaceful co-existence on this beautiful mother Earth. Let's all strive for Unity in Diversity!
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