Gus Dur About PKI Victims

"We've Asked To Be Forgiven A Long Time Ago"President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) underlined that he had offered his regrets to victims of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) sometime ago, when he was still General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). The government has no objecion if the community would like to reopen the G 30 S/PKI case and other Human Rights offence cases.

"I offered my regrets sometime ago. Not just now, ask my friends active in NGOs. I have offered regrets for the killings of so-called communists," Gus Dur said at an interactive dialogue entitled "Cup of Coffee" broadcasted by the State Television company Tuesday morning (14/3).
He said further, it is not at all certain if people alleged to be communists were wrong and had to pay for it with their life.

"Proof it in court, it can't just happen like that. And sorry to say, it happened, many killings were conducted by NU members. It was a fortunate thing that I became NU leader after the communist debacle.

"I have never attempted to keep the case under covers. It really happened," he said.
Gus Dur also said, if the G-3- S PKI case will be re-opened, it would be a good debating forum for the Indonesian nation. "Many think that PKI had been guilty. Some others are of a different opinion, that they were not guilty. In that case, let it be decided in court who was right."

Unsatisfactory

The 45-minute long program started at 7.00, it was especially designed for every member of the nation who would like to join the president in a live discussion.

The interactive dialogue led by Bambang Semedhi and Arie Purnomo Aji, presents the President addressing the nation on the grounds between Negara and Merdeka Palace. At the Indonesian Television studio were Indria Samego (LIPI political observer) Effendy Choirie (parliament member faction Awakening Nation Party) and Noorca Masardi (editor Forum Magazine).

Didi Suyadi, a caller from Bangil, East Java, showed more concern for the President's health. "Today there are people who are not satisfied with |Gus Dur's leadership, but, who prefer not to face him openly. They will try to break his wings. Greetings from Bangil, Gus. NU members, we hope that Gus Dur's mental health stays in good condition, we wish you a long life, snd that you may be given strength," Didi said.

His well wishes drew this comment from Gus Dur. "His well wishes were longer than his question."

Gus Dur then revealed that he knew of several Regional Commanders' efforts who are collecting strength to start an anti-governmentovement.
"I know that several regional commanders are busy collecting support for an anti-Gus Dur campaign. It is real. But, I'm not afraid for I know that I have the people behind me. Let them face the people. Someone who has the support of the nation, doesn't need to fear anybody, as long as his actions are really in the interest of the majority."
Supprt

Parliament members and government are prepared to support Gus Dur in the PKI case. Government should follow suit in offering its regrets to victims of human rights offences in the PKI case.

They did not approve, however, if those victims were given the human rights treatment as these offences had taken place on both sides.
Slamet Effendi Yusuf, Parliament member of the Golkar Party faction, commented that Gus Dur's regrets were acceptable seen from a context of humanity against those who actually had no links with the PKI question, but who were mistakenly abused, put in jail and other incidents that could be justified. In this category fall the children of these PKI victims who were robbed of their civil rights for a long time.

Government, however, need not offer its regrets in haste to guilty PKI members as this concerns a matter of principle, Slamet said.

The PKI case also involves a horizontal conflict of other communities, including NU members. The problem does not involve the 1965 incident alone, it also concerned an earlier incident dating many years back.

Effendy Choirie, faction member of the Awakening Nation Party (PKB), drew attention on Gus Dur's humble move in connection with the PKI case, he said that it reflected the morals of a Moslem person and a good leader of the nation. His humble act, did not only address PKI victims, but also those who became victims of the East Timor incident.
Effendie Choirie said, many became innocent victims, they were not given a legal trial, they were caught at random and became victims.

Faction Chairman United Indonesian Nation (KKI), Sutradara Gintings said, offers of regrets to PKI victims should be viewed in a proportional light. It should be seen from a humanitarian aspect and not from an angle of political error.

In the counter attack against PKI many victims fell which called for an admission of guilt, but not an admission which would whitewash PKI actions.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of Commission I National Democratic Loving Party Faction (PDKB), Astrid Susanto, expressed fears that Gus Dur's move would only weaken Gus Dur's government.

Gus Dur's move is a noble act but, it was unnecessary to do so as a leader of the nation.
"This is politics. If the President would like to apply angelic measures, he should not become a national leader," Astrid said.

Deputy Chairman Commission II, Hartono Hardjono remarked that his party has no objections against Gus Dur's offer of regrets towards PKI members.
"He is the one who offered regrets, others did not," he said.

Hartono reminded of an Assembly rule No. XXV/MPRS/1966 (about disbanding of the Communist Party in Indonesia, and that it had been banned in all places of Indonesia. Communist activities and the Spreading of Communist Teachings/Marxism-Leninism became then prohibited acts) should the case be reopened.
Prohibition of communist teachings and of Marxism-leninism is now logged in KUHP article 107 verse a - f. "What about it, is this law still effective," he asked in wonderment.

Serious

Meanwhile, Parliament Chairman Akbar Tandjung is certain that the Armed Forces institution will honor the constitution and provide support to the President. For that reason, a check should be made if Gus Dur's statement about several regional commanders contained any truth. "If his statement is true, then it is a serious matter. As far as I know, the military should obey a legal government, elected in a constitutional manner.

Gus Dur's government is elected in a constitutional manner and it is in all our interest to support this government.
I am sure that TNI will also honor the constitution and support the government," Tandjung said. (*)