Tragedy Befalls Ternate, Indonesia

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ENGLISH
- Tragedy Befalls Ternate, Indonesia

JENAK JENAKA
- Bukan Basa Basi +  Jambret

The economic crisis that befell Indonesia in 1997-1998 resulted in a social crisis unparalleled in the history of the world's fourth largest country. The supposedly wealthier minority Chinese population became the target of frustration and desperation . Many Indonesian Chinese homes and stores were ransacked and burned, their wives and daughters were raped, tortured, mutilated and killed. Christians were also targeted. Their churches were robbed, damaged and burned.

The modus operandi is similar in the many incidents in the many cities. There was a chanting of (a call to prayer that means "God is Great" ), followed by a rush of men breaking in to the home in the middle of the night. Houses were looted, destroyed and burnt . The atrocity created unprecedented anger among the diaspora Chinese population around the world. It also led to the downfall of President Suharto and led to the recent presidential election, the first in 33 years.

One would hope that the country would settle down after the election and begin the enormous task of rebuilding the economy. But, recent atrocities in several islands in the Moluccas eerily mirrored last year's atrocities. Once again, the Christians and the Chinese were the targets. The following is the story of the Puahas, parents of Reny Storo who lives near Rochester, Minnesota.

Agnes and Ferdinand Puaha have lived in Ternate City on Ternate Island their entire lives. On November 5th, in the early morning hours before dawn, they were awakened by the sound of windows breaking and rocks hitting their house. As they rushed to investigate, they were horrified by the sight. Outside were several dozen people chanting of (a call to prayer that means "God is Great") and demanding that the occupants leave or die. A young man who had been staying with the Puahas tried to prevent them from entering the house. But he was severely beaten before he could escape. His where about is not known at the present time.

Ferdinand recognized two or three people as his neighbors. One was a local teacher who lived in the house behind him. As the perpetrators rushed through the house, Ferdinand and his wife fled out the back door with only their clothing on their back. A Muslim neighbor awakened by the noise motioned for them to come into his house where they hid under a mattress and passed out in fear. It would be several days before they would recover from shock.

The contents of the Puahas house were emptied into the front yard, set ablaze and the house itself was structurally damaged beyond repair. What was not destroyed was looted. Their son's house was burned, their daughter's house was severely damaged and looted. This scene was repeated over and over all over the city, hundreds of time, as Christians and Chinese were driven out from homes by semi-organized groups of Muslims. The fortunate ones escaped, but others were caught and murdered, including some of Puaha friends and relatives.

Ultimately, the refugees would be smuggled to temporary safety under the cover of darkness or by military guard to a military camp. Temporary, because even these camps were attacked by mobs of people who tried to crash the armed gates. Eventually the military evacuated most of them by naval ships to predominantly Christian Manado, where they live in whatever shelter they can find. Why did the atrocities happen?

Ternate island, formed by the active volcano Gamalama, is one of the fabled "Spice Islands" in the Indonesian province of North Maluku. Ternate City (population 50,000) is the main town on the island and the communication center for the province. For centuries, Ternate was a Sultanate ruled by the Sultan of Ternate, who thrived on the abundant production of cloves and nutmeg. In the 14th century, the Portuguese ruled the areas bringing Catholicism. Islam, the dominant religion in the rest of the country, probably arrived in the 15th century with Javanese traders. Considered moderate Moslems to date, certain factions have lately become increasingly militant . It is this faction that blame much of their current economic plight on the Chinese and the Christian communities. The latter became targets of their violence and destruction.

From the 15th through the early 19th century, the Dutch drove the Portuguese away and dominated the region. It monopolized the clove and nutmeg trade as it had become the preferred way for Europeans to flavor and preserve their meats. Christopher Columbus was trying to find a shorter westerly route to the "Indies" , the spice islands, when he discovered America.

In 1945, the Republic of Indonesia was created out of the former Dutch colony. However, civilians and members of the Dutch colonial army created the Maluku Republic and seceded from Indonesia. Three years later this new nation collapsed after the Dutch quit backing it. Over 40,000 Malukans were evacuated to the Netherlands where they constitute the largest minority in modern day Netherlands.

An estimated 4000 Christians and Chinese have been driven out of Ternate. Today most of the violence has subsided in Ternate but continues on in neighboring islands. The refugees face an uncertain future. With no documentation to prove their identities, they cannot find work or withdraw money from their savings. They exhibit classic post traumatic stress disorder. Many cower in fear when they hear the call to prayer in nearby mosques, and many still are not unwilling and are unable to recount the details of their experience. They depend on the generosity of their relatives, friends and fellow Christians in other parts of Indonesia to help them out.

Donations are urgently need by these families. Friends of Reny are looking for ways to raise much needed funds. They are looking for local churches to make special collections for the victims and/or to help with fund raising events such as Indonesian dinner. Due to the expense in sending donated clothing to Ternate, donation of clothing will be accepted only if funds can be found for mailing. All donations will be sent to a church in Manado which will then distribute them among the refugees. To donate make to St.Charles Borromeo Catholic church and/or for more information call or fax Reny Storo at 507-932-4668/3741. You can also reach me through the email at ternate@uswest.net or RR1 Box 122 Utica, MN 55979.
Reny Storo/IM