House Leader Reminds US Citizens To Report If They Get Racist Acts

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Azis Syamsuddin, condemned racist actions against the Asian community in the United States which resulted in two Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Philadelphia becoming victims of verbal and physical violence.

"This condition has created fear and anxiety for Indonesian citizens and other Asian people who live and reside in the United States," said Azis Syamsuddin, Tuesday, March 30.

Azis reminded Indonesian citizens in Uncle Sam's country to raise awareness and actively report when they get racist acts. Whether done verbally to assault causing physical injury.

"Whatever the conditions and circumstances, acts of violence are not justified," said the Golkar politician.

The DPR, said Azis, had also encouraged the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in the United States to appeal to Indonesian citizens to be careful. Given the condition of the United States which is still not conducive to the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We also convey our attention to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Directorate of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Indonesian Legal Entities to immediately move, provide protection and legal assistance for Indonesian citizens who experience these acts of violence," said Azis.

Previously, racist actions against Asian people in the United States caused two Indonesian citizens or Indonesian citizens in Philadelphia, United States to experience disturbances and beatings.

Based on the release of the Philadelphia Indonesian Community uploaded by Damar Juniarto's Twitter account, @Damarjuniarto, two teenagers from the Philadelphia Indonesian Community experienced crimes at Septa Station in City Hall on Sunday night, March 21, by 5 teenagers.

"The two teenagers from Indonesia were waiting for the train, and were then pushed, slapped, and hit by another group of teenagers," said a release on March 27.

The release states that none of the other passengers who were at the station helped two Indonesian teenagers except for a boy from Indonesia who happened to be at the station, and ended up recording the crime.