SARA Issue Appears In Debt Collector Persecution Case In South Tangerang

Mass action in front of the Jakarta Police Headquarters asked the police to thoroughly investigate the abuse of debt collectors in South Tangerang/ Photo; IST

The issue of the Inter-Religious Rails (SARA) in the case of debt collector persecution that occurred in Serpong, South Tangerang, last week. In the aftermath of this issue, a group of people calling the Maluku Muslim Youth Front (FPMM) asked President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to pay attention to the issue of racism in the country.

"We ask the Police to investigate the case (of the persecution of debt collectors) to the end, as well as the perpetrators of the persecution are charged with the harshest racism," said FPMM representative Fauzan Ohorella in a written statement received by VOI, Thursday night, April 13.

As a form of protest against the problem, they held demonstrations at a number of points, namely in front of the office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and the State Palace. With the hope that policy makers can take firm action against the perpetrators, so that a deterrent effect arises. The goal is to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation.

"We are holding a peaceful demonstration in front of the office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and the State Palace, as a form of criticism of us to the state, which we consider not to be present in the racism incident that occurred in South Tangerang which was marked by acts of persecution some time ago," he added.

According to them, the events that occurred in Tangsel were not only a matter of the Maluku people, but also other tribes in Indonesia. FPMM is worried that if this case is not taken seriously, it could lead to national disintegration.

"Because in our opinion this is not a matter of the Maluku tribe, but also a problem of the Madurese, Batak, and other tribes in Indonesia. We are a pluralized nation. Don't let irresponsible people raise the issue of the narrative of racism, there will be divisions between us all," he said.

"We were entrusted by the Chairman of the Maluku Muslim Youth Front, Bang Umar Kei, to carry out a peaceful demonstration. And he also advised, if this country wants to be built with pointed bamboo and machetes, then we are ready," added Fauzan.

FPMM asked the National Police Chief to convey this issue of racism during a cabinet meeting. So that in the end Jokowi could pay attention, and related policies were taken.

"We also support the police in arresting and detaining the perpetrators related to persecution, beatings and being accompanied by racism," he said.

FPMM's Legal and Human Rights Division, Abdul Fatah Pasolo, added that the delivery of this issue at the cabinet meeting was expected to be taken seriously, and serious solutions were born. So, in the future, similar incidents will not happen again.

His party also invited all Maluku people to exercise restraint and not be provoked to address this issue. FPMM invites them to entrust the handling of the case to Polda Metro Jaya.