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Southeast Asia
350 Indonesians arrested after murder in Malaysia
2003-05-18
Police in Malaysia arrested 350 Indonesian workers after a clash between rival clans that appeared to have resulted in a murder. Police went to a construction site north of the capital on Saturday to investigate reports that a person had been killed in a clash between rival clans of Indonesian workers there. On arrival, they were met by about 100 Indonesians armed with machetes. Outnumbered five-to-one, the policemen left. They returned an hour later as a force of 300, including riot police. The Indonesians fled to a nearby jungle, but 350 of them were later rounded up, Gombak district police chief Massari Hashim was quoted as saying. Police also seized a large number of machetes and sticks. Police refused to comment.
Just a little dispute among clansmen. Nothing to see here. Move along...
Posted by:Fred Pruitt

#2  These people are almost certainly not members of related families the usual meaning of clan.

You have to understand that that Indonesia is an empire bequethed to a Javanese elite by the Dutch. All of Indonesia outside Java would secede given the opportunity. Malaysia has the same problem to lesser degree.

Incidents like this are the tip of a very large nationalist iceberg that could easily erupt in major disturbances. However there is no real risk of anti-western terrorism.
Posted by: Phil B   2003-05-18 19:37:02  

#1  I wonder if Americans can grasp the importance and power of clan and family in these parts of the world. Offend clan (or religion) and the blood could easily start flowing.
Posted by: Rifle308   2003-05-18 12:27:22  

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