What's Coming Up - Insight On Why Some Young Indonesians Want Out of Their Country
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CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
1998 mass rapes to be left out of Indonesia's national history rewrite, ‘need to be proven': Culture Minister
JAKARTA: Mass rapes committed during Indonesia's 1998 riots will not be included in the government's ongoing national history rewrite project, according to the country's Culture Minister. On Wednesday (Jul 2), Fadli Zon also confirmed that the project would proceed, despite criticism from historians and human rights activists. 'We expect our national history to strengthen the nation's unity in diversity,' said Fadli during a meeting with the House of Representatives at the Parliament Complex, as quoted by local news agency Antara. Fadli said the revision of the country's official historical narrative aims to promote national unity that avoids deepening ethnic and communal divisions through a positive retelling of key events. This comes despite findings by an official independent fact-finding team, TGPF, in October 1998 which documented widespread sexual violence during the riots, with 52 rape victims verified, according to local news outlet Jakarta Globe. The report by the independent fact-finding team included 14 incidents of rape accompanied by physical violence, 10 victims of sexual assault and nine victims of sexual harrassment across Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya. It was previously received by former President BJ Habibie, who had expressed regret over the violence, noted Commissioner Dahlia Madanih of the National Commission on Violence Against Women last month. Speaking during the parliamentary hearing on Wednesday, Fadli acknowledged the 1998 sexual violence but questioned the use of the term 'mass rape', which he said requires legal and historical verification. 'Personally, I acknowledge and condemn the events but the word 'mass' needs to be proven,' the minister was quoted as saying by Jakarta Globe. 'We are not digging into who the perpetrators were, but ensuring it never happens again,' Fadli told lawmakers on Wednesday, adding that the government prefers to highlight narratives that unify the nation in the new history books. He said these included international achievements and global leadership roles, such as the Asian-African Conference, held in Bandung in 1955, and the Non-Aligned Movement, of which Indonesia was a founding member. Fadli's latest remarks on Wednesday sparked emotional reactions in the hearing from lawmakers MY Esti Wijayati and Mercy Barends from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). 'It hurts even more the longer you speak, Mr Fadli,' Esti was quoted as saying by Jakarta Globe, with her voice trembling as she recalled being unable to return home during the 1998 unrest. Following Esti's comment, Fadli apologised if his remarks came across as insensitive but reiterated that clear documentation and legal confirmation were necessary before the events could be classified as 'mass rape'. 'If it can be traced to who the groups and perpetrators were, it would be clearer,' the minister said, adding that he does not intend to deny or cover up the violence. Fadli, who is part of President Prabowo Subianto's Gerindra party, said that the history rewrite is targeted for completion by August this year to coincide with the country's 80th Independence Day celebrations. Last month, Fadli came under fire for his remarks that the mass rapes were 'all hearsay' and 'rumours', inciting concerns over the government's plan to launch a new 10-volume series of history books during Indonesia's Independence Day on Aug 17. Some historians say these history books will omit major human rights violations. 'This is about leaving a history for our children and grandchildren,' Fadli said on Wednesday. 'We have not updated our historical narrative for 26 years and this is our chance.' The unrest in Indonesia in 1998 arose from economic turmoil and mounting anger at former President Suharto's authoritarian rule. Chinese-Indonesians were targeted in riots that broke out in various cities in May that year, days before Suharto resigned. The violence remains a sensitive issue in Indonesia, with activists repeatedly urging the government to officially acknowledge and investigate the sexual violence against women. Rights groups have said that the lack of legal resolution continues to deny justice to the victims, many of whom remain silent due to fear and stigma. 'The survivors have borne the burden in silence for too long. This denial is not only painful but also perpetuates impunity,' Dahlia from the National Commission on Violence Against Women said on Jun 15, as quoted by Antara. 'When government officials say the rapes didn't happen, it deeply wounds us, especially Chinese-Indonesian women, who lived through that horror,' Diyah Wara Restiyati from the Indonesian Chinese Youth Association previously said in June, as reported by local media. A 30-page draft outline of the rewrite project only included two out of 17 cases of gross human rights violations recognised by Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights, media outlet Nikkei Asia reported. Some of the omitted cases include events involving President Prabowo, according to Nikkei Asia. Prabowo, a former general, was accused of orchestrating the 1997-1998 kidnapping and forced disappearance of 22 activists critical of Suharto, including 13 who are still missing today. Suharto was Prabowo's former father-in-law.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Ex-Cabinet minister Maliki Osman to take up new roles in NTU, charity groups
Dr Maliki Osman said he looks forward to capitalising on his experience from his years in politics. PHOTO: DR MALIKI OSMAN/FACEBOOK Ex-Cabinet minister Maliki Osman to take up new roles in NTU, charity groups SINGAPORE – Former Cabinet minister Maliki Osman will be joining Nanyang Technological University as senior adviser in the president's office, focusing on Asean and other key programmes. In a Facebook post on July 1, Dr Maliki said he wanted to give an update on the positions he has taken up after getting questions about his plans since retiring from politics. He added that the programmes he will be involved in include the Indonesia-NTU Singapore Institute of Research for Sustainability and Innovation (Inspirasi), and the Indonesia-NTU Singapore Talent Programme (Instep). He said: 'In my previous capacity as second minister for foreign affairs and education, I have spoken about the huge human resource potential in Asean. 'Strong networks between NTU and the top universities in Asean and beyond will create new opportunities for talent development and growth in the higher education sector.' Dr Maliki stepped down from politics in April ahead of the general election in May. He has a PhD in social work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and was an assistant professor at the National University of Singapore's social work and psychology department before entering politics in 2001 at the age of 36. In his Facebook post, Dr Maliki – who will turn 60 on July 19 – also said he has been appointed adjunct professor at the NTU College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. He has also taken up an appointment as a distinguished fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), he added. 'I hope to use my years of experience in Mindef and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage researchers and international leaders in delving into the complex global geopolitical dynamics,' he said. RSIS, which is housed in NTU, is a research institute a nd graduate school focusing on strategic studies and security affairs. Dr Maliki will also become president of the Antica Foundation, a charity which focuses on under-served communities in Singapore, according to information published on its website. He said: 'At my core, I have always been a community builder. My journey has been guided by a simple yet powerful belief: No one should be left behind. 'At Antica Foundation, I see a bold and urgent mission to uplift our youth, honour our elderly, and restore dignity to those seeking a second chance.' Another role he has taken on, since June 1 , is that of consultant at Octave Institute, a consultancy firm. Octave Institute is a unit of the Tsao Pao Chee Group, a philanthropic organisation with offices in Singapore, Shanghai and Bangkok. Dr Maliki said he will work on projects aimed at helping low-income households. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
X, India spar over lawyer's 'Tom, Dick, and Harry' remark for government officials
NEW DELHI :A lawyer for Elon Musk's X told an Indian court on Tuesday that every "Tom, Dick, and Harry" government official had been authorised to issue content takedown orders, drawing a sharp rebuke from New Delhi's counsel in the latest clash over content moderation. X has long been at loggerheads with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over content removal requests. The remarks were made during a hearing on the U.S. firm's challenge to a government-run website it says is a "censorship portal" that allows officials to issue content removal orders. New Delhi says the website is only to swiftly notify companies of their due diligence obligations. India is a critical growth market for X owner Musk, who is getting closer to launching his other key ventures Starlink and Tesla in the country. During the court hearing, X's lawyer, K. G. Raghavan, said it recently received a notice from the railways department to remove a video in which a car was being driven on a railway track. That was news, but the government found it unlawful, he told the court. "This is the danger, My Lord, that is done now, if every Tom, Dick, and Harry officer is authorised," Raghavan told the high court in the southern state of Karnataka. The phrase drew immediate condemnation from India's Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who said "officers are not Tom, Dick, or Harry ... they are statutory functionaries". "No social media intermediary can expect completely unregulated functioning," Mehta said. India's IT ministry and X did not respond to Reuters queries. In 2021, X, formerly called Twitter, was locked in a stand-off with the Indian government over non-compliance with legal orders to block certain tweets. It later complied, but is still locked in a court fight related to the move.
