Victims of Indonesia’s anti-Chinese riots cling to hope for justice as painful memories fester
- Survivors of the 1998 riots that killed hundreds and destroyed Chinese homes and businesses continue to press for accountability and a settlement
- But activists fear the struggle for justice will get harder amid incoming president Prabowo Subianto’s ‘blatant’ disregard for human rights
Stevanus was 16 at the time, and like many Indonesian youngsters, loved playing football and listening to music with his friends. He was also a curious teenager, so when he heard that there was some trouble at a nearby shopping centre in East Jakarta, he rushed to take a look.
But Stevanus didn’t return. He was killed in a fire that broke out at the City Plaza Klender mall, an incident that would claim the lives of hundreds of people.
Now 31, Magdalena has followed in her mother Maria Sanu’s footsteps trying to “learn the truth behind the cases of the tragic events and the human rights violations” that changed the course of their lives.
“We have struggled for the past 26 years with the families of other victims to learn the truth … and to get justice,” Magdalena told This Week in Asia.
Pent-up anger towards military dictator Suharto’s 32-year rule and an economic downturn triggered by the Asian financial crisis saw Indonesians take to the streets in violent protests against food shortages, mass unemployment and corruption.
