Defense minister Ryacudu says no need to apologies to PKI families

Merdeka.com – August 19, 2015

Defense minister Ryamizard Ryacudu says that the government does not need to apologise to the families of former Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) members, saying that the PKI killed seven generals and organised a coup in Indonesia.

"Sorry, we'll just use logic here. Don't go throwing accusations around, just use logic. Who was it that rebelled, who was it that killed first, who killed the TNI [Indonesian military] generals. How can you apologise to those who killed and rebelled", Ryacudu said during a goodwill meeting with the mass media at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday August 19.

"It's the same as if, if I was beaten up, black and blue, and then I had to apologies. Would that be right", said the former army chief of staff in an outburst of emotion.

According to Ryacudu the government will not move forward if it keeps digging into a past that cannot be resolved. Because of this therefore, it is better that history be used as a lesson for the nation.

"Enough, bury it. We [should] build the nation for the future. Apologising means to be in the wrong, then [they'll] ask for compensation, then what next? It'll never be resolved. We've already guessed as much. We've built something, don't defile it like that. What's past is past, let it be a lesson for us", he said.

Furthermore, Ryacudu said he would convey the view that the government does not need to apologies to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. In fact the government has never borne a grudge against PKI victims.

"It was a coup, killings, why should we apologise. Enough, we've shaken hands, we've worked for our country. Do you still want to bear a grudge. For religious people, for our father, we are their favorite person. If he's wrong, sorry is enough", he asserted.

Ryacudu gave the example of a child who even though their parents committed a wrong against them, did not hold a grudge and apologised. This feeling, he said was because of the child's love for their parents.

"So don't these PKI families care about Indonesia. There's no need to bear a grudge. You have to think clearly, if you hold a grudge you'll never move forward, just add to the complexity of our problems", he said.

Notes

Ryamizard Ryacudu is a former army general known for his hardline stance on separatism and xenophobic remarks and criticism of rights activists. In 2001 he praised the killing of prominent Papuan independence leader Theys Eluay saying the Kopassus (Special Forces) soldiers who murdered him were "heroes". He is a close ally of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri and as army chief of staff during her presidency oversaw military operations in Aceh and Papua resulting in countless civilian casualties.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Menhan sebut PKI sudah bunuh 7 jenderal, permintaan maaf tak perlu.]

Source: http://www.merdeka.com/peristiwa/menhan-sebut-pki-sudah-bunuh-7-jenderal-permintaan-maaf-tak-perlu.htm.

Hammer-and-sickle flags burnt in protests over news of PKI apology

Merdeka - August 15, 2015

Hery H Winarno – Hundreds of people took to the streets to demonstrate in front of the Grahadi building in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya on the afternoon of Thursday August 13. During the action, the protesters also set fire to red hammer-and-sickle flags.

The action and the burning of the flags were not without cause. The protesters were opposing a plan to revoke the Tap MPRS No XXV/1966 on the dissolution of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). The protesters also objected to a plan by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to apologies to the PKI.

According to the demonstrators, an apology to individuals or the PKI as an institution is neither procedural or proportional and is ahistorical, especially if it is done by the government.

This is because an apology would result in all legal instruments on prohibitions against the PKI and its teachings that are embodied in the MPRS No XXV/1966, the Supersemar and Law Number 27/1999 on revisions to the Criminal Code related to Article 107(a) on state security, being annulled automatically.

Secondly, a unilateral apology would hurt the feelings of the Islamic community, the TNI (Indonesian military) and the Indonesia people. It would justify the PKI's position and thus its extermination by the TNI and the Islamic community would be deemed wrong, and they would have to be held accountable before the law.

The other consequence is that [those who adhere to] communist ideas would make further historical demands in terms of moral and material damages as well as seek a revival of their politics.

Fifth [sic], an apology to the PKI could trigger a flare-up in horizontal conflicts and a possible repeat of history with another PKI rebellion and its extermination by the people.

Sixth, the ordinary people would continue to suffer and the PKI would continue to build its strength and power by provoking the poor.

And finally, if the government goes ahead with an apology, provides rehabilitation, compensation and reconciliation to former PKI members, it would mean justifying communism which is clearly in conflict with the philosophical life of the Indonesian nation, namely [the state ideology of] Pancasila, and could give birth to Nasakom Chapter II.

"Because of this, we reject an apology to the PKI, because it would betray the NKRI, so we oppose communists in this country. Let us close ranks. This is all communist propaganda", shouted action coordinator Santoso in a speech on Thursday August 13.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was "Cerita Jokowi minta maaf ke PKI hingga pembakaran bendera palu arit".]

Notes

1. Tap MPRS XXXV/1996: Provisional People's Consultative Assembly Decree Number XXXV/1996 on the Dissolution of the Indonesian Communist Party and Prohibitions on Marxist, Leninist and Communist Teachings.

2. Supersemar/March 11: According to the New Order dictatorship's version of history, on March 11, 1966, founding President Sukarno formally transferred power to then Major General Suharto by signing an order known as Supersemar.

3. Nasakom: Sukarno's concept of the unity of nationalism, communism and religion.

4. NKRI: Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. A term which is often used in the context of nationalism and the desire to maintain the integrity of the Indonesian nation.

Source: http://www.merdeka.com/peristiwa/cerita-jokowi-minta-maaf-ke-pki-hingga-pembakaran-bendera-palu-arit.html.

FPI meets with Jakarta military commander to discuss PKI communist threat

Peka News - August 14, 2015

Finally, in the midst of rumours about the rise of the new PKI (Indonesian Communist Party) during the era of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, a delegation from the Central Advisory Board of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) met with the Jakarta Military Commander (Pangdam Jaya) Major General Agus Sutomo at the Jakarta Regional Military Command Headquarters (Makodam Jaya) on Tuesday August 10.

Also present at the meeting was the Jakarta Military Command Chief of Staff (Kasdam), the Chief of Territorial Affairs (Kaster) and the Information Centre Director (Kapuspen).

The meeting began with greetings and exchanges of mutual respect by Sutomo, which was followed by greetings from the head of the FPI delegation (KH. Syeikh Misbahul anam Attijani) who essentially conveyed greetings from the great leader of the FPI and expressed his thanks and appreciation for the positive welcome and response. He also introduced the other FPI delegation members and explained the reason for their visit.

H Munarman SH then explained the goals of the FPI delegation and outlined the facts and data pertaining to indications of the rise of the PKI.

The response from Pangdam Jaya Major General Agus Sutomo:

1. That he was pleased and felt it necessary to maintain friendly ties with the FPI to cooperate in safeguarding the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and to build the nation.

2. The enemies of the Indonesian nation, particularly the enemies of Islam, have infiltrated key sectors of life.

3. That he is proud of the FPI for its bravery and because of this they must become the advance guard in safeguarding the nation, particularly from the dangers of communism and guarding the integrity of the NKRI.

4. That the FPI should change its "casing" (appearance, image) with one that is humanitarian and strategic.

This is bearing in mind that communism in Indonesia is of one soul with the liberal movement so that the ideas of the communist movement is spreading through film showings, books and seminars, and has even been able to bring together 1,200 village heads who gathered at the National Monument in Jakarta not long ago.

Sutomo was also in strong agreement that the film "The September 30 PKI Rebellion" be re-shown on TVRI (state television) and that the FPI also show and distribute the film to young children in their homes, at schools, campuses and Koranic recital groups (Sutomo also gave them a VCD of the film).

Other members of the delegation such as Habib Muhsin Ahmad Alatas and KH Awiet Masyhuri gave input and made suggestions.

The meeting ended with the head of the FPI delegation handing over facts and data as evidence [of the PKI's rise] to Sutomo followed by evening prayers (Maghrib) led by Islamic Community Forum (FUI) secretary general KH. Muhammad Alkhatthath.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Hadang Kebangkitan PKI di Indonesia Raya, FPI dan TNI Sepakat Kerjasama.]

Source: http://pekanews.com/2015/08/hadang-kebangkitan-pki-di-indonesia-raya-fpi-dan-tni-sepakat-kerjasama/.

People's tribunal into 1965 killings to be held in Den Haag in November

Tempo.co - August 13, 2015

Diah Harni Saputri, Maria Rita, Jakarta – Human rights activists, academics and journalists have initiated the formation of a people's tribunal into the 1965 mass killings. The tribunal is planned to be held in the Den Haag, Netherlands, in November 11-13.

According to Nursyahbani Ktjasungkana who is coordinating the International People's Tribunal on 1965 crimes against humanity in Indonesia (IPT 1965), the IPT 1965 will be held to demonstrate that the genocide and crimes against humanity which have still not be acknowledged by the state did in fact occur.

Preparations for the formation of the IPT 1965, said Nursyahbani, have begun with the gathering of evidence from 13 regions, interviewing witnesses, compiling documents from the investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) into 1965, including investigative articles by Tempo Magazine, and the results of research by investigators from a number of overseas and Indonesian universities.

"We are also preparing prosecutors and judges who are experienced in handling cases of genocide and crimes against humanity in a number of different countries", said Nursyahbani during a meeting at Tempo's offices on Tuesday August 11.

Nursyahbani was accompanied by Professor Saskia E. Wieringa, who has been researching the 1965 affair for 30 years, and Valentina Sagala from the Women's Institute executive board.

Saskia explained that with regard to the 1965 affair it will be demonstrated that genocide and crimes against humanity did in fact take place. "There are three prerequisites, namely that it was planned, that there was intent and that it was widespread", she said.

The irony, said Saskia, is that although the 1965 killings occurred 50 years ago, its impact upon the victims and their families along with those who are critical of the official version of events is still very tangible.

For example, those who were accused with involvement in the 1965 affair have become exiles and cannot return home to Indonesia. In addition to this, there is still a lot of propaganda inspired by hatred against the victims, the victim's families and communities that have tried to uncover the crimes of 1965, along with continued acts of violence against those who have tried to expose the 1965 affair.

Although it will be in the form of a tribunal, said Valentina, there will not be any attempt to indict people in a criminal court as suspected by many.

This is because the tribunal's verdict will not be binding in legal terms, but will instead hand down a moral verdict so that the Indonesian government can formulate policies on the 1965 affair. The Den Haag was chosen as the venue to organise the IPT 1965 because the city is symbolic of endeavors to uphold human rights.

The verdict handed down by the IPT 1965 will be made public in 2016. It will then be handed over to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, in the hope that it will issue a UN resolution. This will open up the possibility of the international community pressuring Indonesia to respond to the indictments and verdict handed down by the IPT 1965.

It is hoped said Nursyahbani, that the IPT 1965 will receive support from the wider community and the Indonesian government, including the international community.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Pengadilan Rakyat Tragedi 1965 Akan Diadakan di Den Haag.]

Source: http://nasional.tempo.co/read/news/2015/08/13/078691518/pengadilan-rakyat-tragedi-1965-akan-diadakan-di-den-haag.

New security minister Luhut lauds Suharto's New Order stability

Sindo News - August 13, 2015

Saiful Munir, Jakarta – Newly appointed Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) retired General Luhut Binsar Panjaitan has called on ministers and heads of government institutions under the coordination of the Political, Legal and Security Affairs Ministry (Kemenko Polhukam) to cooperate to create national stability.

Borrowing from the motto of former President Suharto's New Order (Orba) dictatorship, Panjaitan said Indonesia's economic situation will slowly improve if it was backed by a favourable climate of security.

"The economy can't be disconnected from security", said Panjaitan at the Kemenko Polhukam building on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta on Thursday August 13.

"I think that this, which was conveyed by Pak [Su]Harto's New Order, is absolutely correct, one of the pillars of the state is the economy and security", he added.

Kicking off his new appointment, Panjaitan immediately called on the commander of TNI (Indonesian military), the national police chief, the Attorney General and other ministers under his department's coordination to develop good teamwork.

"Yesterday I spoke with the president for some time. Our thinking is indeed the same, he also wants [to improve] coordination. We're building teamwork", he explained.

"We should be of one voice, so I hope that we can all, given the poor global and domestic economic situation, create a sense of clarity. Because the market needs clarity", he said in conclusion.

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Luhut Panjaitan Naksir Cara Orba Jaga Stabilitas Negara.]

Source: http://nasional.sindonews.com/read/1032684/12/luhut-panjaitan-naksir-cara-orba-jaga-stabilitas-negara-1439458045.

Reprint of Pram's Buru Quartet sells 10 thousand copies in 2 weeks

Tempo - August 10, 2015

Jakarta – The Buru Quartet, four novels by Indonesia's foremost author Pramoedya Ananta Toer that tell the story of the formation of Indonesia, are still in hot demand as demonstrated by 10 thousand sales of the quartet in just two weeks since it was reprinted in July this year.

"We plan to do another reprint that will be ready in book stores in August", said Astuti A. Toer, the daughter of the late Pramoedya when speaking with Antara news in Jakarta on Sunday.

The quartet reprinted by publisher Lentera Dipantara includes This Earth of Mankind (Bumi Manusia), Child of All Nations (Anak Semua Bangsa), Footsteps (Jejak Langkah) and House of Glass (Rumah Kaca). The four related novels have been published in almost all languages in major countries around the world.

This Earth of Mankind was first published in 1980 followed by Child of All Nations which was printed in 1981, Footsteps in 1985 and House of Glass in 1988. All four however were been banned from sale and distribution by the Attorney General's Office under the New Order regime of former President Suharto because they were deemed to contain "leftist" ideas.

This Earth of Mankind and Child of All Nations was banned in 1981 and Footsteps in 1985, followed by House of Glass which was banned in 1988, all only a few months after being published.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer was born in the Central Java town of Blora on February 6 1925, and died on April 30, 2006 in Jakarta. Pram (as he is widely known) wrote the quartet when he was interned on Buru Island, Maluku. Throughout his life, Pram complained of feeling that he had been treated unjustly because he was arrested, jailed and interned on Buru Island without ever being tried.

"After the New Order regime ended, Pramoedya's books and works were republished and distributed in Indonesia, and every time they're republished they sell out completely", said Astuti.

Throughout his carrier as a man of literature, Pram produced scores of works. Aside from the Buru Quartet, other well known works include the Girl from the Coast (Gadis Pantai), Not a Night Market (Bukan Pasar Malam), The Fugitive (Perburuan), Stories from Blora (Cerita dari Blora) and Just Call Me Kartini (Panggil Aku Kartini Saja).

The stories in the Buru Quartet, which are often referred to as the Child of All Nations Quartet, covers the history of Indonesian during the period of national awakening through a fictitious character named Minke, who is based on the real figure Tirto Adhi Soerjo. (Antara)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was 2 Pekan, Tetralogi Buru Pram Edisi Baru Terjual 10 Ribu.]

Source: http://gaya.tempo.co/read/news/2015/08/10/109690520/2-pekan-tetralogi-buru-pram-edisi-baru-terjual-10-ribu.

Victims of 1965 killings postpone national meeting following death threats

CNN Indonesia - August 6, 2015

Aulia Bintang Pratama, Jakarta – A national meeting of the Institute for the Study of the 1965-1966 Massacres (YPKP 65) that was to be held mid next week in the Central Java city of Salatiga has been postponed following death threats against organising committee members.

Several YPKP 65 have also been approached by intelligence officer from the national police urging them to postpone the event.

YPKP 65 chairperson Bedjo Untung said that the threats came from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the Islamic Defenders Guard (GPI) adding that the threats contained many provocative words.

"They are fundamentalist groups who call themselves the FPI and the GPI and use the words of jihad [war] and say that [spilling] the blood of former political prisoners is halal [rightful under Islamic law], said Untung in Jakarta on Thursday August 6.

Untung added that the provocation has in fact affected the mood of the YPKP 65 members that were invited and frightening them.

Yet the national meeting was to be attended by only 50 people, including representatives from the government's National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan), the Witness and Victims Protection Agency (LPSK) and the Law and Human Rights Ministry.

Further, the location for the event, the LP3S Building, had already been prepared to hold the event. Moreover the building's management, said Untung, had no problems with the venue being used for a YPKP 65 gathering.

"Not only the building management, even the mayor of Salatiga has given approval and support", said Untung.

Untung said that the organising committee however became concerned about continuing with the event after several intelligence officers from the police in Salatiga approached the committee and appealed to them not to hold the national meeting.

Moreover the building management was persuaded to withdraw permission to hold the event. "The police intelligence asked that the national meeting be cancelled, not just postponed", he said.

After some consideration, Untung and the YPKP 65 members planning the meeting decided to postpone the event on the grounds that it could give rise to heavy financial losses if it went ahead. "I anticipated that it could give rise to even greater financial losses", said Untung.

Based on information obtained by CNN Indonesia, the threatening messages called on FPI members to conduct a jihad to wipe out communists. The messages also called on the FPI not to allow the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) to exist in Indonesia.

Earlier the YPKP 65 had also been accused of putting up hammer-and-sickle flags in Salatiga in the lead up to the national meeting. The news of the flags spread quickly on the social media and attracted many comments from net citizens. The YPKP 65 however has denied responsibility for this provocative action.

"We were indeed to hold a national meeting on August 7-8 in Salatiga. However we have never flown flags of any kind related to communism", said Untung when contacted by CNN Indonesia on Monday August 3. "It's not true, it's a manipulation and provocation", he said.

Untung said that since its formation, the YPKP 65 has never used communist terms or logos and symbols related to communism such as the hammer-and-sickle in any of the events or activities that it has held.

The YPKP 65's activities, said Untung, are related to the struggle for the rehabilitation of the victims of human rights violations in 1965, particularly those that have been stigmatised or treated unfairly by past governments (utd)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the report was Dapat Ancaman FPI, Temu Nasional Korban 65 Dibatalkan.]

Source: http://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20150806155400-20-70499/dapat-ancaman-fpi-temu-nasional-korban-65-dibatal.