July 18,1998---Habibie

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Taiwan Tati Cultural
And Educational Foundation
B16F, No.3 Ta-Tun 2St.
Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
July 18, 1998.

Dear Mr. President Habibie,

Top businessmen closely identified with the Suharto era and the accumulation of wealth through their political contacts face problems in the new reformist climate.

Naturally; sources close to the Chinese business leaders were realigning and repositioning themselves following the charge in government.

Some people in native primarily Moslem, will take advantage of economic crisis and political charge to assert themselves.

Some Moslem-Indonesians said, "Indonesians won political independence from the Dutch 50 years ago. Now native Indonesians are seeking their economic independence."

"The Chinese will be employee, not owner," " Big (Chinese) businessmen will migrate and comeback as foreign investors, not in management but with equity portfolios or as minority share-holders" added by them.

The Chinese, who established their position as traders during the Dutch colonial era, and tightened their grip on the economy in cooperation with Suharto during his 32 years in power have been traditional targets for attack during times of hardship.

About 1,200 people were killed in the riots in Jakarta. Many in burning shopping malls, while massacre was going on. Are there Indonesia's Chinese fought with native Indonesia? No; never, they are fearful that violence. We think that Chinese is "money maker", not "troublemaker".

Feeble Chinese in Indonesia appear to be at a crossroads in a nation where they have traditionally dominated commerce.

On above reason; Indonesia's Chinese need your help, because of them are your people.

 

 

Sincerely Yours,
Yang Hsu-Tung.
President of
Taiwan Tati Cultural
And Educational Foundation

 

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