After Surabaya ban, lively Tan Malaka book discussion held in Kediri

Tribune News - February 9, 2014

Surya Didik Mashudi, Kediri – A "Tan Malaka" book dissertation in Surabaya was closed down by protesters from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). But a similar event in Kediri took place in a lively atmosphere.

More then 100 students took part in the book discussion "Tan Malaka" at the PGRI Nusantara University in the East Java city of Kediri on Saturday February 8.

The book's author, renowned Dutch historian Harry A Poeze had earlier been scheduled to be the speaker at a book dissertation at the C-20 Library in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya, but police and the Indonesian military (TNI) arrived at the venue before the discussion took place and announced that the FPI protesters would close down the event.

Because of concerns that it would cause difficulties, Poeze then cancelled the discussion. That evening, around 30 FPI members arrived at the library building only to find that the event had been cancelled.

Meanwhile a Tan Malaka book discussion with Poeze in Kediri took place in a lively atmosphere with many students enthusiastically taking part in the course of the discussion until the end. The book went down well and was bought in large numbers by students. Following the discussion, the students also asked for Poeze to sign the books.

Poeze himself admitted to being shocked that the Surabaya event was able to be closed down by the FPI. However he suspects that the FPI misunderstood because the discussion was a scholarly forum and not a training course in the ideas of communism.

"There were soldiers and police officers that announced the discussion [had to be] cancelled because FPI protesters would demonstrate. They weren’t happy accusing our discussion of being a course in communism", said Poeze.

In fact the discussion of the book Tan Malaka, Left Wing Movement, and the Indonesian Revolution was a scholarly meeting. "The FPI people are of the view that Tan Malaka is a communist", he said.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]

Source: http://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2014/02/09/diskusi-buku-tan-malaka-ditolak-di-surabaya-tapi-meriah-di-kediri.

Tan Malaka book discussion shut down after protests by Islamic vigilantes

Tempo - February 7, 2014

Edwin Fajerial, Surabaya – A book discussion on Tan Malaka that was due to be held at the C-20 Library on Number 20 Jl. Cipto in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya was eventually canceled because it failed to obtain permission from local police.

Beyond the library fence some 20 members of an Islamic mass organisation calling themselves the United Islamic People's Movement (GUIB), who had arrived in four cars shortly after evening prayers, closed off all access in and out of the library.

GUIB leader Dhofir said that they arrived in order to confirm that the Tan Malaka discussion had been closed down. According Dhofir, the discussion would have caused unrest because it preached Marxism or communism, which is considered to be the teachings of one who fights against Islam (kafir harbi) and must be fought. "Stay away from people who follow it", said Dhofir on Friday February 7.

When asked about a similar event held at the Airlangga University that morning, Dhofir stated that it did not conflict with religion because it was a scholarly book dissertation on campus. "If it is related to science it's allowed, [but] if it's being disseminated it's not allowed", he said.

The Obor Book Foundation is holding a series of discussions on a new book titled Tan Malaka, Left Wing Movement, and the Indonesian Revolution Volume 4 by renowned Dutch historian Harry A. Poeze. A discussion on the book attended by Poeze was to be held at the C-20 Library on Friday. Similar events are being held in several different cities while in Surabaya, book dissertations were also held at the Surabaya State University and the Airlangga University.

Tegalsari sectoral police chief Commissioner Arief Mukti said that in principle police always give permission for such events providing that the do not disrupt public order and security. If they are deemed to be disruptive police will suggest the event be cancelled. "We are also the ones who can close it down if indeed it does goes ahead", said Mukti.

Outside the library meanwhile, a number of people intending to join the discussion were still arriving. Tempo estimated that there were around 30 people assembled not far from the GUIB blockade who said they did not know that the discussion had been cancelled.

One of the participants, Airlangga University post-graduate student Abdul Khodir, said that he regretted the closure of the book dissertation because discussions of the Tan Malaka book were essential in order to complement a historical insight into the nation. "I've very disappointed that it was cancelled", said Khodir.

The event organising committee, who could not be seen anywhere, did indeed take a decision to cancel the event earlier in the afternoon after they failed to receive permission for the event from police. The library was padlocked and the lights inside the building turned off. A piece of paper announcing the cancellation of the book dissertation was posted on the library gates.

[Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski for the Indoleft news service.]

Source: http://www.tempo.co/read/news/2014/02/07/078552156/Digeruduk-Ormas-Islam-Diskusi-Tan-Malaka-Bubar.