Yesterday, I got an e-mail from my friend. She sent me a story which I though that I should share to you all. I don't want to make any comment or argument on this story. But I would like you all to realize that this kind of story still exist in many part of this world. So, please teach you children well and be good.

- Cindy
Bangkok, Thailand
- Sat Jun 27, 98 at 13:24 GMT+7

Dear all,

Just like to share the Real TradedyStory in Indonesia to all of you, received this from one of Indonesian friend..

This is just one of hundred or thousand story happened during the riot on 13 - 15 May in Jakarta.

The following article was posted on 12/06/98 in the Huaren Bulletin Board by Indra.

A Victim's Account of Rapes and Murders

Here I post a victim's account of the May tragedy. The original is in Indonesian, and I did the English translation (forgive some awkwardness in it). Spread the word around and let the world know what really happened.




Name: Vivian (not real)
Age: 18
Sex: Female.		 Vivian has a little sister and a brother. She lives in an apartment with her family.
At 9.15 am, a huge crowd had gathered around the apartment. They screamed, "Let's butcher the Chinese!", "Let's eat pigs!", "Let's have a party!"
"Let's butcher the Chinese!" We lived on the 7th floor, and we got a call from a family who lived on the 3rd floor that the crowd had reached the second floor. They even chased some occupants upstairs. We were all very frightened.
nside, we heard girls, whose age around 10-12, screaming, "Mommy... Mommy..." "Mom... Mom... it hurts.."
In our fright, we prayed and left everything in God's hands. Afterward, we left our room and went upstairs to the topmost floor, as it was impossible to go downstairs. We got to the 15th floor, and stayed there with one of our acquaintances.

Not long afterward, we were surprised because there were some of the crowd coming out of the elevator right before we entered the room. We hurried into the room and locked the door tight.

At that time, we heard them knocked the other rooms' doors loudly, and there were screams from women and girls. The room was filled with fear.

We realized that they would come to us. So we spread throughout the room and hid in corners. Inside, we heard girls, whose age around 10-12, screaming, "Mommy... Mommy..." "Mom... Mom... it hurts.."
There were about 5 people who raped Veny, and before beginning, everyone always said, "Allahu akbar" (and Islamic phrase in Arabic, meaning "God is the greatest"). That time I didn't know what was happening.

After about half an hour, the noise diminished, and we had some guts to go out and check. It was indescribable. A lot, some of them girls, young girls, lay on the floor.

"O my God, what has happened?" Seeing all of this, my little sister, Veny, screamed histerically and hugged father.

Tears started coming down from my eyes. With our acquaintances, a newly-wed couple, we started going downstairs. Reaching the 10th floor, we heard a scream for help. The scream was very clear, and we decided to go down and see.

But as we turned, we saw a lot of people. I saw a woman in her 20s being raped by four men. She tried to fight, but she was held tight. Realizing the danger, we ran with all our might. But unfortunately, the mob caught Veny. We tried to rescue her, but we had to give up.

There were around 60 of them. They tied us--I, my father, my mother, Veny, Dony, Uncle Dodi, Aunt Vera--with ripped sheet.

They led us to a room. Uncle Dodi asked what they wanted, but they didn't answer. They cast an evil and savage look. One of them grabbed Veny rudely and dragged her to a sofa. At that time, I knew that she was in danger.

I screamed loudly, and one of the mob slapped me. My father who also screamed was hit by a wooden block, and he fainted. My mother had fainted when Veny was dragged to the sofa. I could only pray and pray that the disaster would not befall us...

Uncle Dodi kept trying to persuade them by offering money, but the effort was fruitless. And in the end they forcedly raped Veny. Not able to stand all of this anymore, I cried and closed my eyes.

There were about 5 people who raped Veny, and before beginning, everyone always said, "Allahu akbar" (and Islamic phrase in Arabic, meaning "God is the greatest"). They were ferocious, brutal.

Not long afterward, around 9 men came to the room and dragged me. I also had a chance to see them forcing and dragging Aunt Vera. But, I instantly fainted and everything was blank.
After I fainted, 7 people raped me. At that time my father still couldn't see well after being hit with the block. They raped me by rolling my body and hit it against the wall. I became conscious at around 5 or 6 in the afternoon. My head was in pain, and then I realized that I had no clothes on my body. I cried. I was very depressed. I realized that my family were still there,
and obscurely I saw my father hugged my mother and Dony. I also saw that Uncle Dodi was lying on the floor, and Aunt Vera was crying over his body.

I felt so weak, and fainted again.

The next day, I was in the Pluit Hospital. My mother and father were beside me.

With all the pains on my body, I asked, "Mom, why Veny, Mom?" I felt a stinging pain as I said those words. I felt my cheek swollen. My mother instantly cried and couldn't speak any words, while my father, holding his tears, managed to smile.

After 4 days in treatment, my condition started getting better. With a sad look, my father then told me what happened. After I fainted, 7 people raped me. At that time my father still couldn't see well after being hit with the block. They raped me by rolling my body and hit it against the wall.

Then, my father said to me, "Vin, Veny has gone..."

I was confused and instantly cried loudly. "Why, Dad???" My father didn't answer. He told me to rest and went out of the room.

I cried over and over again, feeling that my life is worthless anymore.

A week ago, after I had been able to gone home, I was told everything that happened.

When she was raped, Veny kept fighting, and so she was slapped repeatedly by her rapists. The last time she fought, Veny spitted on one of them. Offended, the man grabbed a knive and stabbed it to Veny's stomach. Brutally, he did it repeatedly until Veny drew her last breath with blood all over her.

After I heard the story, I was shocked. My father then said that Uncle Dodi had the same fate, watched by Aunt Vera who is also a victim of the rape. God... why should all of this happen? Now Aunt Vera stays in her parents' house, accompanied by her sister.

According to what the sister said, she is still shocked. Her face is blank, and often she refuses to eat.

Almost every hour, my mother and I cry over this tragedy. I couldn't ever forget it. No matter what, they (the mob) are uncivilized people who have no sense of humanity.
Please post your comments on this page. Enter your message in the form on your right. Name:
E-mail:

Your Message:

*

Recently in New York City, there were about 20 or so women who also got raped. I just saw the story on TV and there was a French lady who was with her husband during their honeymoon, and she got raped, right in front of her husband, her clothes were all gone, and she was crying all over. That situation is probably a lot better than the one in Indonesia. I have no idea why Indonesians are so sick and so insane to do such a thing. I just guess that being rape is impossible to be excused of.

Tim <tfchui@hotmail.com> from dial0-354.dialin.uic.edu on Wednesday, June 21, 2000 at 11:49:01

i am a muslim. i am not supporting what they did. not at all. some people get the wrong idea of people in my religion. usually, when you hear "muslim" you think of "terrorist." it's painful. i have to go through with that stuff because of animals like these. they make a mockery of God. Muslims do not think that this is right. believe me. Those men will go to hell. my prayers are with the indonesian families. but please, do not blame muslims as a whole. That is not what we are taught. that is not what we are supposed to do. Hurting people is the worst thing you can do a muslim. Those men will get their punishment. Those victims will get my prayers.

sana <jewel3738> from 168.8.208.2 on Wednesday, May 17, 2000 at 02:33:01

I think its good that you went out and told everyone of the atrocities that occurred. I live a sheltered life and dont usually see what horrid things go on in the world. Anything i say couldnt help the pain you are in but, i am sorry. those people should pay dearly for their crimes, they need to rot in prison.

Lincoln <none@none.com> from dsl-64-34-25-109.telocity.com on Thursday, April 27, 2000 at 12:03:32

u stay alife, the rest of the victim will too.
they will pay for what they did.
fuck them.those bastard.

loco <seven9@paranormal.com> from brk-23-229.tm.net.my on Tuesday, April 18, 2000 at 01:44:28

sorry

from unix.yutan.esu2.k12.ne.us on Wednesday, February 16, 2000 at 02:36:59

hai, everyboy

tyo <bostio@usa.net> from ppp059.kbb.vidas.telkom.net.id on Saturday, February 12, 2000 at 18:26:02

why did they do that to you? thay did not need to kill her. im sorry what hade happen I hope you people will get better and I hope you will be carful and be in grat shap and i hope you will be carful. sender .... ....

from sfr-tgn-sfg-vty89.as.wcom.net on Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 08:50:02

looking for a

saker <saker_a@yahoo.com> from s37h005.hct.ac.ae on Tuesday, February 08, 2000 at 21:35:41

i do not believe this a bit i think you just made this up for your own reasons,you know why ?because if it was real you would not bring the subject of god .may god show you the right path so you would not make lies like this,just remeber you are going to answer in front god some day.woo to the liars froma big day!!!from

roko <axdfv@yahoo.com> from spider-tr063.proxy.aol.com on Sunday, January 23, 2000 at 09:36:40

Hi! Im' trouly sorry what happens in your country and im hope that peace can find the way again (though it might takes to many years to the children to grow old to have a good childhood)
but we can all hope that it will happen soon.
This maybe a wrong place to aske for this, but do you have a recipe for a good "rícetaffel"???
I hope this is not a bad place to aske for this
with all my best wishes for all to a better future
sincelery from all friends in denmark
(sorry for my bad english) i really mean it

claus henningsen <the.red.baron@get2net.dk> from p203-38.ppp.get2net.dk on Friday, January 21, 2000 at 06:47:49

If I'm a Sattan I will kill all the indonesian muslim coz I'm hate them all & see you all in HELL you F--- all the muslim indonesia also the Indonesia Prime Ministar & all his pig friend's

psol from brf-cache10.jaring.my on Sunday, January 09, 2000 at 00:01:00

Forget about this talk of God; if you need to defend yourself, get a gun. If your government doesn't allow it, get a government that does.
Take care, -Jim

Jim <jamesc@san.rr.com> from 24-25-209-171.san.rr.com on Friday, January 07, 2000 at 13:14:03

I feel sorry yet angry for what happen. I hope people around the world will
open their eyes wide and think about this monsters and the-so-call God who they believe.
There'llbe a day when they'll realise about their existence and by then it will be too late for them.
May those who died on this tragic incident Rest In Peace!

Tommy Lee <ymmot_24@hotmail.com> from 202.188.39.79 on Thursday, December 30, 1999 at 15:25:38

What offends me most is that these people dare praise God before defiling one of Its creations. What comes around goes around and I trust that God will hold them accountable for their abuse of free will.

San <violetsinwinter@hotmail.com> from sfo-proxy.bechtel.com on Tuesday, November 23, 1999 at 01:08:10

oi Indonesian People
if u rapes or what the hell is it to chinise indonesian
we in china will kill u all indonesian fucker

Anton <Nochemaphys@angelfire.com> from ppp38-mdn.indosat.net.id on Thursday, October 28, 1999 at 14:51:56

could you send me some sex pix or movies plez ?

nasser <Nzarouni@hotmail.com> from proxya.emirates.net.ae on Thursday, October 14, 1999 at 22:21:20

I hope that this is may not be too late, since I got your sad story, I was also sad and sorry to hear this, as an Indonesian I never expecting before such tragedy may happen towards our peoples in so called democratic and full religious peoples. I pray that sister Veny will be in Lord side, and she had open the people's mind of being aware of every riot that might happen in our country. I do pray for all of your family, and may God bless you in the entire life. Wesly

Wesly <lng_ind@hotmail.com> from ins75.nasu-net.or.jp on Saturday, September 25, 1999 at 11:35:09

Hii My friend
could you guys give me article is related with riots and if you can give me picture about it.
pls send it to my E-mail.

I'll apriciate for that

realino <realino_tan@hotmail.com> from dialup-209.246.211.173.philadelphia1.level3.net on Monday, August 02, 1999 at 23:00:47

In the name of GOD
ok let talk to the point. WHY Chinese must got that All, whyy whyyyy?.
Do we make a big big problems and they blame us and kill our generationnn.
ooo this all riot are Dammm shitttt.Where they put their kindness and politeness?.
They forget what they get in a few decade from chinese, thatt soo ashameeeee.like animallllllll.
they only beg from chinese and work with chinese why they stilll do like that. ohhhhh that so ashameeee.




OHH godd Make them abjure.

PeAcE-MaN <save_planet70> from dialup-209.246.211.173.philadelphia1.level3.net on Monday, August 02, 1999 at 22:55:56

I don't understand why God make people like that...

anonim <immanuel@n2mail.com> from mdn-usr01-08.idola.net.id on Monday, May 17, 1999 at 20:32:08

hi
i want addresses for indonisian chat
my jop( carja ) in dubay UAE
WSALAMU ALIKUM

mohmmad <rodiny@yahoo.com> from inktomi.isu.net.sa on Tuesday, May 04, 1999 at 06:39:54

It's amazing the number of atrocities that have been committed in the name of God. There has been so much bloodshed, abuse, violence, and hate that I find myself questioning any belief in God at all. But it is not for Godly reasons that these things are done. God is used as an excuse for the anger, frustration, ambition, fear, and ignorance of such people.
When people read this story, the common reaction is to curse these people as monsters who deserve massive retribution. Yet this type of thing happens over and over. We want to remove these people from our lives by calling them outrageous psychopaths, sick, and evil. Mob mentality has always shown itself to be brutal, illogical, and leading to senseless violence. Yet it happens again and again. Why are these atoricities such a reoccuring behavior in the history of mankind? Because the people who commit them are not inhuman monsters. They are just like the rest of us. They represent the insensitive and cruel potential that exsists in everyone. Put yourselves in their positions. Frustrated, enraged, and conditioned to believe a certain thing, they act based on an instoppable mob movement without clearly thinking about what they are doing. Take the Nazi soldier who massacred thousands because he was following orders. Take the white American who treated thousands as subhuman slaves because that was the norm. What would you do in these situations? Would you be strong enough to break from the mass movement? I would like to think to that my individual code and belief system would stop me from committing these atrocious acts, but I cannot say for sure what I would have done in these situations. So the next time you find yourself swept up in some fast paced mass movement, stop and think about what you are doing. Because you could be one of those heinous monsters. My heart goes out to those people who are the victims of these mobs, especially since this case involved the most despicable of all violent groups, those that used God as an excuse for their actions. I hope that one day people will learn to stop this behavior and such things will no longer happen. Hopefully this is not an essential feature of human nature.

I also would like to add that I find it interesting that President Clinton finds that stopping the genocide in Kosovo is so important to preserving the world peace and a vital issue of the collective American conscious that we cannot sit idly by while hardly anything is ever mentioned about the violence and atrocities commited in other places sucn as Indoensia and Rowanda.

- <belltower37@hotmail.com> from h62.s228.tulane.edu on Thursday, April 01, 1999 at 16:04:00

The same thing happened in many countries, which suffer of bad, corrupt
Brutal government, peoples in Indonesia had been under so much stress and big pressure and when they feel that pressure is relays when government is change
They turn like criminals and crazy they try to find some on responsible
Of their suffering they look for any one had any relation with that bad government to put off their fire on him. Many innocents may be suffering. I am so sorry for what happen I pray to GOD to help all this peoples and give them love patient and happiness to forget all that. I am sure the responsible of all that was the government, anger and little of education and sure is not the religion

from 208.222.9.251 on Thursday, March 11, 1999 at 03:45:56

I am the Irish husband of an Indonesian muslim.
We escaped from Jakarta just one week before the
madness erupted. While what happened to many people
during the riots was appalling, including the story
above, it does not paint the right picture of the
majority of the Indonesian people. Indonesians are
a people who have been used and abused by their
own dictators for so long they are 'normal' by
the standards of the outside world.
Worse is yet to come, sadly....

Derek Redican <catalyst@indigo.ie> from ts04-024.dublin.indigo.ie on Tuesday, March 09, 1999 at 07:32:55

if you've got proofs well then thats a story people can sunk their teeth into.Otherwise it is just a plain old Mambo Jambo ,trying to make a society/community look bad.Even I could come out with a story like this , or even worse.
But I wont , cause then I wont be any different from the writer.

joe <diablo_23@usa.net> from bat-91-131.tm.net.my on Wednesday, January 06, 1999 at 15:30:11

God Knows what they did..........................

joan <joanong@hotmail.com> from kbu-14-154.tm.net.my on Tuesday, January 05, 1999 at 22:57:30

Can you send me this story by email ?????????
Pls

Stelios <stelios@angelfire.com> from li-4-14.cytanet.com.cy on Monday, January 04, 1999 at 14:41:02

The evil like Indonesian, they must to pay what it has done on Human Being, God, please forgive the evil indonesian, put them where they have to be. Hell is opened widely for those evil. That's very sad in our histroy... As a Chinese or a human being, we cannot forget it.

William <w0003@excite.com> from 203.80.103.94 on Thursday, December 24, 1998 at 02:42:50

I am wondering if your friend's story as you said.

Sami <alibaba107@hotmail.ocm> from spc-isp-tor-uas-27-20.sprint.ca on Wednesday, December 23, 1998 at 23:40:34

Thank to God'protection that u still alive today.
Easy to say than done but it's better to face the future and not to think about the past.Everything is in God's hands so depend on Him for everything.
I believe that it was God's plans for all His people.I'm also a chinese-indonesian so i can understand your feeling.Anyway,try to face the future bravely!!We'll show them that we,as chinese,
work hard to succeed.!!! so Don't give up!!!
God bless u!!!!when u feel nobody care,He cares 4 u!!!

Ba8y 4nG3L <shiny-eagle@yahoo.com> from palo15.pacific.net.sg on Friday, December 18, 1998 at 00:20:14

I could not imagine the rapists proclaimed their God
is great and then start to rape innocent girls. They
have already committed sin in the name of their God and used
his name to coved up their wrong doing.It seems that it was
"approved" from above.I belive that God is the God of love
because we are all his children, he created mankind
and all of us are brothers and sisters. He does not wants
us to fight each other.
I belived that they will not go unpunished for their sin and will
hunt them forever.
Vivian! life still go on, May God's strengths,wisdom,peace,
and knowledge be with you to start a new life again.
Whatever had happened have passed and now is the time
to look at the future.
May God grant you strengths through this difficult time.

from jrc-5-229.tm.net.my on Tuesday, December 01, 1998 at 21:19:35

My girl friend's parent are still be there, Surabaya, Indonesia,
Also come along with lots of her relatives, there.

Hopefully, everyone won't get hurt, or any bit of pain,
and, if there is reality existing of GOD, as they belief,
BLESS THEM, please!

From Thai student of UNSW, Australia.

Kenny <wattananon@hotmail.com> from cache1.uwn.unsw.edu.au on Wednesday, November 25, 1998 at 00:31:38

If this is true, then it is truly a tragidy. If I were in that situation,
I probably would have been killed by the mob trying to protect my loved ones.
It is amazing how people do such unholy things in the name of God - who are
they kidding - themselves?

J.C. <Webster92@hotmail.com> from dial-123-61.ucs.indiana.edu on Friday, November 13, 1998 at 23:37:37

Hi after reading your story I felt sad for you
people I wish I could do something for you all.
See I been in and out Indonesia lot of time I know
how those bustart behave. I am not a hero but given
a chance to do some of this scum it will be my pride.
But there is something I like to piont out chinese in
indo has always been a target to the indo scum why not
leave the country? And you people not all but not being
rich and very stuck-up, but still they can't do all
this allahu aklba bullshit.Advised raise lot of money
get macenarie kill em all let god sought em out.

Xavier <mxt@pacific.net.com.sg> from palo4.pacific.net.sg on Monday, November 09, 1998 at 17:28:04

Hope they get what they suppose to get in the future.Let the God decide what to do with them.They are animal.Pretend to have a relihion.What the hell!!!

hanny <h_agustin@hotmail.com> from pool001-max13.ds17-ca-us.dialup.earthlink.net on Friday, November 06, 1998 at 11:49:22

I think that all these men that did this should go to hell, but before they die they should all die a slow and painful death because what they did was wrong and god will punish them.

Roy from 167-211-197.ipt.aol.com on Wednesday, November 04, 1998 at 01:06:57


These bastards will have retribution!
They will be punished by their gods!

Rex <1@2.com> from panorama.nus.edu.sg on Sunday, October 25, 1998 at 20:04:46

While reading this story I found tears were running down my face. After reading this article I asked my self how could anyone be so heartless and so cold as to comitt a crime like this. I know that here in America we think we have a lot of problems with stuuf like this, but when I read this it makes me realize that we don't have nearly as many problems as people in other countries do. My heart and deepest regrets go out to the family involved in this cruel torcher. By reading this it has made me look at things in a new light and realize that our problems aren't near as ad as they could be!

Amy Johnson <sunny69_187@yahoo.com> from ts3-02.boi.cyberhighway.net on Friday, October 23, 1998 at 11:43:21

I was born in Indonesia in 1925. I cry when I hear about the poverty and the starving people there in that magnificent country. Is this the freedom and that great future they wished for so much? Life must be unbearable for them that they behave themselves worse than animals.The Dutch Government long ago was not so bad compared to this mismanagement.Today there is poverty and hunger. Why? How can we help that poor starving population? How can we reach these uncouth elements there? By giving them food and shelter. For with hunger and misery comes evil. I hope many people will read your story , for it is shocking and the world must help this misguided nation.Not with politics but with human help. But first : The Indonesian Government should not be so stupidly stubborn as to think that they are clever enough to do everything without help. Sincerely yours Justine Swaving.

Justine Swaving <swamuis@zeelandnet.nl> from p56.zeelandnet.nl on Wednesday, October 14, 1998 at 04:07:08

Reading this has made me see the situation in jakarta in a new light. I am so so sorry for the family who were involved. I myself was evacuated from jakarta (I'm australian). It just shows what horrific crimes can be committed in a mob frenzy - so unlike what indonesians are generally like. It is beyond words to describe this...I only hope that somehow the damamge can be repaired.

from 203.127.127.49 on Friday, October 09, 1998 at 11:13:36

After reading this message I find tears in my eyes... Odd for me since I barely feel emotions anymore at all... However, I find time and time again that stories such as these occur all over the world -- the Bosnian episodes spring to mind all over again from years ago... Brutal things are done in "God's" name and have been for years -- look at the Crusades from Europe hundreds of years ago. Religious persicution sometimes gets "used" when it is merely a matter of hate, prejudice or racism. Shame bad things like this, and other atrocities, have to happen. :( I am also plagued by visions of such events and even horrible things done to animals by sick and twisted perverts! They say that "time heals all wounds" but I am not a believer of that. The poor family in this "story", like other victims" must face this each and every waking and sleeping moment.

I hope one day, in my lifetime, we can all get along much better... Doubtful, sad to say, but true.

Do your best to get along, treat everyone w/ respect and kindness and maybe, just maybe, it'll all work out for us.

Good luck and take care all!

-_- D.

Daremo <daremo@jointhe.net> from atl2-wc1.atlas.digex.net on Thursday, October 01, 1998 at 08:44:23

i so sorry to her famillly.

pkanan <pkanan@cscoms.com> from proxy.dpu.ac.th on Saturday, September 19, 1998 at 11:46:04

THAT PISS ME OFF...
THIS IS REALLY SAD!!!!

DAMN GOD PEOPLE!!!!

ZERO from pm336-38.dialip.mich.net on Thursday, September 17, 1998 at 12:32:42

sos

jantarat tanunta <007> from proxy.prcs.th.edu on Tuesday, September 15, 1998 at 12:22:46

It never ceases to amazes me what we can do to each other.

There is nothing else I can say as I am choked.

Adrian from agate.actfs.co.uk on Thursday, September 10, 1998 at 23:19:52

I AM SO SORRY TO HEARD THAT,BE STRONG.I AM AT YOUR SIDE.

chalie from proxy.asianet.co.th on Wednesday, September 09, 1998 at 00:14:50

I..LOVE..YOU..

WIN from 203.155.54.34 on Tuesday, September 08, 1998 at 11:24:23

When I read this story, received from a relative, I could only cry and cry for days. These fanatics are animals. Why is it that wherever a minority helps to buld up the economy of that country, they are being discriminated??
I only wish I could say something to the families of the victims, but what can I say??
Let´s hope and pray life will show them the way to bear it. The beasts that did these barbarities are to blame, but so is the govenment that did not protect the Chinese, but let them go on for some days!!

Norma Lie <normalie@cyberspace.com.br> from sjc188.cyberspace.com.br on Tuesday, September 08, 1998 at 03:11:49

I red it.Yes, it's a very sad story. If it was happened
with my family. Maybe..... Oh! I don't know...,why it must happened to you.
Very sad,I bring your information to show in our christian group in Thailand
BNoth of us fell sad very much.We will prey for you and for Indonisian. I hope God will do
something for them. and GOD BLESSED YOU VERY VERY MUCH

TOm <suphakij@hotmail.com> from 203.144.254.102 on Tuesday, August 25, 1998 at 17:37:30

Very touchy, sad and cruel !
Whatelse I can say, my boyfriend is Indonesian.... Just like the other countries or in every community, there are some good and bad. So just want to tell you that " God has eyes, the bad will be punished "
Be strong and may God bless you and your family.

enjay <krajib@hotmail.com> from ns2.a-net.net.th on Friday, August 21, 1998 at 16:00:57

This is a powerfully disturbing story. I am thankful for the inner strength that Vivian had shown in the face of the trategy before her and her family. This story can be anyone of us. Thanks to Cindy for taking the time to translate and share with a ll of us concerned readers. I don't know where to start with my comments. Story like this are played out daily in countries all across the world. We see this in Rowanda, Kosova, Bosia, and so on. Where does it end? Where does justice begin? How do y ou protect those who are unable to protect themselves? Who should be held accountable? What should be the punishment once caught? It is a tough questions when considering the circumstances that make people do what they do. The people who committed this act of savagetry will not be judge by us. Justice is relative, dependent upon the perpetrators being caught. These individuals lack any form of moral fibers that we would term normal. What can we do to prevent this? What are the long term solution? We as the people can condem it, but we also must do more. Part of the solution is to be have a sense of awareness of the problem. This requires you and I working together within our communities to develop long term plans to identify critical indicators that triggers this type of behaviors and pro-actively work to solve and minimize the potential consequences. It is clear that assistance from the government must be done at the community level with tremendous pressure from the international community suc h as the United Nations, Human Rights Org. , Red Cross, Religious Org., and outright sanctions. As the country of the world focus more on the global identity so must each country know that its internal affairs can no longer be kept silent. It is without r eservation that each and everyone of us have personal and communing responsibility to act and stop this type of crime. We must work to let the perpetrators and potential criminal know that they cannot hide behind the fences of social, political and econ omics instabilities. An act of agressions against another human being will be dealt with swiftly. Violence against women and childrens will not go unpunish. The criminals will be caught as along as we pressure for actions. Either way, their crime will not go unanswered before GOD. Their soul will never rest. I wonder how the criminal would feel to have their own family be beatened, raped, and killed right before their eyes. It is a disturbing thoughts. Let us work together to proactively address t his issue. The next lives lost could be our own or that of our loved ones. One person can move a pile of dirt, but all of us working together can move a mountains. All of us are given one opportunity to be on this earth, let us make a difference and wo rk to stop the violence. Take care of yourself and eachother.

Att <amnara@yahoo.com> from 149.25.69.36 on Thursday, August 20, 1998 at 14:06:03

I just finished reading the article and I am so touched by it. You have know idea how it made me feel. As I was reading, I mentally tried to visualize the accounts. I honestly don't know what I would do in a situation like that, but all I have to say is that the survivors and their families are strong in body and mind to endure this hardship. I haven't heard of this story before and I will definitely talk to other people about it; may be something could be done to prevent tjis from happening again i n the future. Thank you for printing it and show me how the real world really is--cruel!!!

Anchalee <apongsri@tmp.com> from fw.tmp.com on Thursday, August 20, 1998 at 01:58:02

People misunderstood, abused, mis-use the concept of 'GOD' all the time. Some people don't really even understand the concept in the first place and uses it as an excuse for doing what they do. Some assasins say "god, please don't make me miss" before the pull the tri gger. Some blow themselves up in the name of god. Some people still misunderstood buddha as a GOD, and that if become a monk they are buddhist. The examples are innumerous.. This case it is the same'ol stuff, they use "allah.. the god" as an excuse to justify their own selfish sexual-domination nee ds.

The rape victim is saying "god help me" the raper are also thinking about god "god the greatest!" ..well, I don't think they are refering to the same god are they? God is as relative as anything else there is: Depends on who is looking at it.

The whole concept of God is quite interesting. I think it lies deep in human psycho, the need to believe, and the need to feel -belonged-. We don't want to feel lost or alone, and GOD is the entity that can fill up all that, for better or for worse. Ther e was a man who was able to concieved his so call God, then he has an accident, turned mentally retarded, what was god then failed to exist. He can no longer comprehend it.. so I asked.. Is GOD a mentally simulated figure or actually exist. I know..this will p robably create a never ending debate, lets not.

I still think that man still has that untamed animal behaviour hiding within, -waiting for a chance to leap out. We aren't ignorant about this either. Because "we" sees ourselves as evil, thats why "we", as a society, make laws to control our own selfish behavior. So all this isn't about god / religion / indonesian / chinese .. just plain ol human doing what they wanna do when there is no law.

BrokenPencil from truppp554.inet.co.th on Sunday, August 16, 1998 at 01:59:06

I hate to be racist. I never want to be a racist. I have read 'To Kill a Mockingbird ' and learnt all the bad things about being racist. However, it is truly hard to hold back my anger as I read this story. I do not know if it is true, but one thing tr ue about this is that the Muslim Indonesians started a riot against Chinese. What has the Chinese done? According to statistics, it is the Chinese who bring in most of the wealth Indonesia used to have, and isn't this a contribution? I don't know if the C hinese were involved in any corruption, but it cannot be the whole Chinese population in Indonesia who could have caused the crisis in Indonesia, right? So why harm the innocent Chinese, especially in the name of their Muslim God? Is that supposed to elev ate their act from babaric and totally uncondonable to something noble or something right that they believe is approved by Allah and make him even mightier? What is this? This is like the assassination of Julius Caesar. People like Cassius want to murder Caesar out of jealousy, but said that it was for the general good to elevate their act. Saying that they were sacrificers but in truth, what the conspirators really are are butchers. I truly cannot see anything those savage would gain over this brutal act of discrimination of the Chinese, which should have been extinct long, long time ago ever since moral education is taught. All they can possibly get is perhaps the satisfaction of venting their anger and frustrations and satisfying their sexual needs. In fact, all that those savage contributed was an economic disaster to their country. So may Chinese has left Indonesia, and there goes the majority of Indonesia's wealth. Ok, maybe they wanted the chase the Chinese away to prove that the country can prospe r without Chinese; perhaps they want to be homogenous. Fine. We'll see what happens next. Not that I doubt their capability, but judging from their perverted and diseased reasoning ability to harm the Chinese in such a savage manner, I doubt nothing much can come out of them. Of course, I am inferring to the large number of people who were 'noble to Allah' enough to start a racist riot.
The worst thing is that this matter did not catch enough attention to get the UN to give the 'noble' Muslim Indonesians a piece of its mind. I sure hope that there will be International criticism and declaration of disgust over this matter to show the bli nded and perverted idealists that they are not that right after all to be able to receive such a huge pile of criticisms.
Oh well, as I mentioned, I hate to be racist. I believe I may sound offensive to some Muslims. I honestly try to tone down my anger while I type this, but it may till seem offensive and racist. I guess it is a kind of self defense, not trying to defend my self, but if my race, the Chinese, is being compromised in such a way by the Muslims, I just get this urge in me to fight back and be nasty. To the Chinese Indonesians: You are now like Prisoners of War. I suppose it is peaceful in Indonesia now, and some people might have asked you to forgive and forget, like what POWs are asked to do. If I were you, I cannot forgive and forget. The hatred is just too strong, especially when I have been wronged. But come to think of it, hatred will only rot one's own sou l. For the general good, I believe Indonesia is in a bad stage already, facing food crisis, economy crisis and many other crisis and hopefully the people would learn their mistakes soon. If we Chinese decide to leave Indonesia in a lurch when it is facing problem, then we would seem selfish because Indonesia's economy depends largely on us, no matter how the proud Muslim Indonesian would hate to admit. So perhaps think of the good things and benefits you have reaped form Indonesia, try to forgive, but not forget, and return with the assurance of Habibie, to aid your homeland economy. Heaven has eyes, they will protect the good and the bad will eventually be punished. Of course it is easy for me to say, because I am not the one suffering, but I just hope y ou will try to forgive. For me, I am still very angry and disgusted by what has happened. I know this sounds realy contradictory. You see, I am trying to speak in an indifferent point of view and from my own viewpoint.........

Nong' Yelly <kewpie@earthling.net> from palo11.pacific.net.sg on Tuesday, August 11, 1998 at 18:05:57

Another time this sort of unforgiven evidence took place
How many times it is going to happen again?
For me, be strong, fight them back
Don't let them just do what they want and
easily disappear from justice.

chuan <bsang@ufl.edu> from ppp-13-ts24.nerdc.ufl.edu on Saturday, August 08, 1998 at 13:07:35

It seems that this message is all around the Web. I have talked to many of my friends and they all heard of this story too. I don't want to attack anyone. But, is the story really need to mention the word "GOD"? It seems like the word "GOD" tends to in voke the anger in the readers mind. People must be awared when the religious is involved in the message; we must use the way of Critical Thinking to interpret the message. It's true that Chinese scape goat is all over the Indonesia and can't be stop. Howe ver, can we really know for sure that religious is involved in the incident? I hope that everyone will read with a fair mind. U can visit the website www.hrw.org for more information.

kitt <KRuang@hotmail.com> from 1cust41.tnt14.lax3.da.uu.net on Friday, August 07, 1998 at 14:13:37

It is saddening and shock to know such brutal
and babaric act done in the name of "allah".
All religious will never preach such message to their followers. I felt that international NGO shall unite and consistantly pressure the Indonesia Government to punish those "uncivilised people. These people are crueler than the animal.

eric kim from brk-25-64.tm.net.my on Tuesday, August 04, 1998 at 22:54:03

I don't mean to offend any religion, but people today don't understand the true original nature of the religion. The founder of each religion had some chronical reasons to set up regulations and beliefs to cope with the current world situation. These r ules must be updated through times to catch up with the ongoing world situations. Some people follow the what they've been taught although they don't know why and have no clue about the original intention of it. Some of them abuse it and use god as an exc use to achieve their own desire or to explode their suppression, their jealousy in other who live better.

I from ip247.providence.ri.pub-ip.psi.net on Monday, August 03, 1998 at 14:09:43

i HATE INDONESIAN....!!!!!

ken <nsm1998@hotmail.com> from j24.sgw43.jaring.my on Saturday, August 01, 1998 at 23:59:07

that was a wonderful story thanks for sharing

thoummy <precious> from pix.rockfor