Latest news with #1998riots
Malay Mail
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Rewriting the past: Indonesia's new history books spook scholars
JAKARTA, July 14 — The Indonesian government's plans to issue new history books have sparked fears that mention of deadly riots in 1998 targeting mostly ethnic Chinese in the country will be scrubbed from the text. The 10-volume account was ordered by the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, an ex-general accused of abducting activists in the unrest that preceded dictator Suharto's fall, claims he denies. Scholars fear his government could use the exercise to rewrite history and cover up past abuses. Draft volume summaries and a chapter outline seen by AFP do not include any specific section on the 1998 violence. A summary of Suharto's rule in the volume dedicated to him only mentions how 'student demonstrations... became a factor' in his resignation. 'The writing was flawed since the beginning,' said Andi Achdian, historian at Jakarta's National University, who has seen the outline. 'It has a very strong tendency to whitewash history.' Suharto ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for more than three decades after grabbing power in the wake of a 1965-6 massacre. The culture minister overseeing the government's history project, Fadli Zon, told lawmakers last week the account 'does not discuss May '98... because it's small'. Neither does it promise to include most of the 'gross human rights violations' acknowledged by former president Joko Widodo in 2023. Jajat Burhanudin, a project editor, contradicted Fadli and dismissed concerns, telling AFP the new volumes would include 1998 events, with the draft outline just a 'trigger for discussion'. Officials say the new historical account is needed to strengthen Indonesian identity, but warned that any omission about its darkest past will raise eyebrows over objectivity. 'What is feared is that... the cases that have been accepted by the previous government to be resolved will be ignored,' said Marzuki Darusman, a former attorney general and head of a civil society coalition opposed to the volumes. 'Updated' history While it remains unclear how the government plans to use the books, Jajat said the volumes could be used as 'one of the main sources' for history books taught in schools. Neither historian Susanto Zuhdi, who is helming the project, nor the presidential palace responded to requests for comment. The revisionist history garnered renewed scrutiny after the culture minister questioned whether mass rape had occurred at the end of Suharto's rule. Ethnic Chinese Indonesians bore the brunt of the bloodshed during the riots, when rape squads—purportedly led by army thugs—roamed Jakarta's streets. 'Was there really mass rape? There was never any proof,' Fadli told local media in an interview last month. 'If there is, show it.' A 1998 fact-finding report, commissioned by Indonesia's first president after Suharto, found at least 52 reported cases of rape in the unrest. 'This project risks erasing uncomfortable truths,' said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia. Fadli told AFP the nation-building project would go ahead despite criticism. 'The consensus (is) we continue,' he said. 'This is an updated version of our history,' he added, saying there would be a public debate 'this month', without elaborating. Indonesian students smash a portrait of former president Suharto in one of the offices of the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on May 21, 1998. — AFP pic 'Historical propaganda' The project involves 113 academics including historians, but at least one of them has resigned. Archaeologist Harry Truman Simanjuntak told AFP he quit in a dispute over language—the term 'early history' was used instead of 'prehistory' for Indonesia's ancient civilisation. Fadli told lawmakers the phrase was avoided because it was created by Indonesia's former Dutch rulers. But Harry said it showed the political influence over the text. 'It was very obvious that editors' authority did not exist. They were under the control of the government,' he said. The furore around the project has caused some opposition lawmakers and critics to call for its suspension or cancellation. Activist Maria Catarina Sumarsih, whose son was killed in a military crackdown after Suharto's fall, accused the writers of warping the past. 'The government is deceiving the public... especially young people,' she said. Others said documenting Indonesia's past was best left to academics. 'If the government feel this nation needs a history that could make us proud... it can't be through the government's version of historical propaganda,' said Marzuki. 'It should be the result of the work of historians.' — AFP
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rewriting the past: Indonesia's new history books spook scholars
The Indonesian government's plans to issue new history books have sparked fears that mention of deadly riots in 1998 targeting mostly ethnic Chinese in the country will be scrubbed from the text. The 10-volume account was ordered by the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, an ex-general accused of abducting activists in the unrest that preceded dictator Suharto's fall, claims he denies. Scholars fear his government could use the exercise to rewrite history and cover up past abuses. Draft volume summaries and a chapter outline seen by AFP do not include any specific section on the 1998 violence. A summary of Suharto's rule in the volume dedicated to him only mentions how "student demonstrations... became a factor" in his resignation. "The writing was flawed since the beginning," said Andi Achdian, historian at Jakarta's National University, who has seen the outline. "It has a very strong tendency to whitewash history." Suharto ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for more than three decades after grabbing power in the wake of a 1965-6 massacre. The culture minister overseeing the government's history project, Fadli Zon, told lawmakers last week the account "does not discuss May '98... because it's small". Neither does it promise to include most of the "gross human rights violations" acknowledged by former president Joko Widodo in 2023. Jajat Burhanudin, a project editor, contradicted Fadli and dismissed concerns, telling AFP the new volumes would include 1998 events, with the draft outline just a "trigger for discussion". Officials say the new historical account is needed to strengthen Indonesian identity, but warned that any omission about its darkest past will raise eyebrows over objectivity. "What is feared is that... the cases that have been accepted by the previous government to be resolved will be ignored," said Marzuki Darusman, a former attorney general and head of a civil society coalition opposed to the volumes. - 'Updated' history - While it remains unclear how the government plans to use the books, Jajat said the volumes could be used as "one of the main sources" for history books taught in schools. Neither historian Susanto Zuhdi, who is helming the project, nor the presidential palace responded to requests for comment. The revisionist history garnered renewed scrutiny after the culture minister questioned whether mass rape had occurred at the end of Suharto's rule. Ethnic Chinese Indonesians bore the brunt of the bloodshed during the riots, when rape squads -- purportedly led by army thugs -- roamed Jakarta's streets. "Was there really mass rape? There was never any proof," Fadli told local media in an interview last month. "If there is, show it." A 1998 fact-finding report, commissioned by Indonesia's first president after Suharto, found at least 52 reported cases of rape in the unrest. "This project risks erasing uncomfortable truths," said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia. Fadli told AFP the nation-building project would go ahead despite criticism. "The consensus (is) we continue," he said. "This is an updated version of our history," he added, saying there would be a public debate "this month", without elaborating. - 'Historical propaganda' - The project involves 113 academics including historians, but at least one of them has resigned. Archaeologist Harry Truman Simanjuntak told AFP he quit in a dispute over language -- the term "early history" was used instead of "prehistory" for Indonesia's ancient civilisation. Fadli told lawmakers the phrase was avoided because it was created by Indonesia's former Dutch rulers. But Harry said it showed the political influence over the text. "It was very obvious that editors' authority did not exist. They were under the control of the government," he said. The furore around the project has caused some opposition lawmakers and critics to call for its suspension or cancellation. Activist Maria Catarina Sumarsih, whose son was killed in a military crackdown after Suharto's fall, accused the writers of warping the past. "The government is deceiving the public... especially young people," she said. Others said documenting Indonesia's past was best left to academics. "If the government feel this nation needs a history that could make us proud... it can't be through the government's version of historical propaganda," said Marzuki. "It should be the result of the work of historians." bur-mrc/jfx/lb/hmn
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Indonesia's ‘updated' history books stoke fears of buried truth about anti-Chinese riots
The Indonesian government's plans to issue new history books have sparked fears that mention of deadly riots in 1998 targeting mostly ethnic Chinese in the country will be scrubbed from the text. The 10-volume account was ordered by the administration of President Prabowo Subianto , an ex-general accused of abducting activists in the unrest that preceded dictator Suharto's fall, claims he denies. Scholars fear his government could use the exercise to rewrite history and cover up past abuses. Draft volume summaries and a chapter outline seen by Agence France-Presse do not include any specific section on the 1998 violence. A summary of Suharto's rule in the volume dedicated to him only mentions how 'student demonstrations … became a factor' in his resignation. 'The writing was flawed since the beginning,' said Andi Achdian, historian at Jakarta's National University, who has seen the outline. 'It has a very strong tendency to whitewash history.'
CNA
03-07-2025
- Politics
- 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.
CNA
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Indonesian minister's denial of 1998 mass rapes slammed by activists, officials
JAKARTA: An Indonesian minister's denial of mass rapes that took place during the country's 1998 riots has been slammed by rights activists and the National Commission on Violence Against Women. Culture Minister Fadli Zon's remarks that the mass rapes were 'all hearsay' and 'rumours' have incited fresh concerns over the government's plan to release new history books that some historians say omit major human rights violations. "What actually happened? We never truly know, as there has never been any hard evidence. Who said it was mass rape? It was all hearsay, and such rumours won't resolve anything," Fadli said in a podcast last week with media outlet IDN Times. He was discussing the government's plan to revise the country's official historical narrative by launching a new 10-volume series of history books during Indonesia's Independence Day on Aug 17. The project has been panned by historians in recent weeks, after a 30-page draft outline began circulating in limited circles. Fadli's remarks on the mass rapes flew in the face of past findings, including that by a government-sanctioned fact-finding team whose report documented 85 cases of sexual violence, including 52 rapes, in 1998. The report was received by former President BJ Habibie, who expressed regret over the violence, noted Commissioner Dahlia Madanih of the National Commission on Violence Against Women on Sunday (Jun 15). 'Denying the official findings of the fact-finding team is denying the collective work of this nation in the pursuit of justice,' Dahlia said, as reported by Indonesian news agency Antara. 'The survivors have borne the burden in silence for too long. This denial is not only painful but also perpetuates impunity,' she said. 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. Fadli's comments were 'deeply hurtful' and dismissive of well-documented evidence of violence that targeted the Chinese-Indonesian community, said Diyah Wara Restiyati from the Indonesian Chinese Youth Association, as reported by news outlet The Jakarta Post. 'When government officials say the rapes didn't happen, it deeply wounds us, especially Chinese-Indonesian women, who lived through that horror,' Diyah said. Jakarta city councillor Fatimah Tania Nadira Alatas also criticised Fadli, saying his comments were unethical and an attempt to erase historical trauma. 'Historical wounds cannot be erased, especially not revised. The violence against women, particularly ethnic Chinese women, must be remembered so it never happens again,' said Tania, whose remarks were posted on the Jakarta NasDem Party's social media accounts. In the wake of public criticism, Fadli – who is with President Prabowo Subianto's Gerindra party – said he was calling for 'academic and legal caution' when referring to the incidents as mass rapes. He said the term carries serious implications and must be backed by legally verified data, and that he was not denying sexual violence occurred during the 1998 riots, reported news site Jakarta Globe. But Fadli criticised the fact-finding team's work. Posting on social media platform X on Monday, he said its report listed numbers without detailed corroboration of information such as names, locations or perpetrators. 'We must be careful because this affects national dignity and truth,' Fadli said. The Indonesian government's plan to launch new history books has been criticised by activists and historians. A leading historian, Asvi Warman Adam, has said the draft downplays abuses and is 'glorifying' the achievements made under Suharto's regime, The Jakarta Post reported. The draft outline includes only two out of 17 cases of gross human rights violations recognised by Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights, news outlet Nikkei Asia reported. Some of the omitted cases include events involving President Prabowo, according to Nikkei Asia. Prabowo has not commented on the project, Nikkei Asia reported. But he has previously said some former activists are now his supporters. 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. Fadli claimed the accusations have been debunked when speaking to news agency Reuters last month. Reuters reported Jajat Burhanuddin, a historian involved in the project, saying there had been no state intervention so far. The 1998 kidnappings and torture of student activists would be included, Jajat reportedly said, although he declined to say whether Prabowo would be mentioned in those accounts. Fadli has said the project would have an Indonesia-centric narrative and aims "to reinvent the Indonesian identity". He has said it will involve over 100 historians and archaeologists from 34 universities and research institutions. But a coalition of activists and historians, called the Indonesian Historical Transparency Alliance, has said the project 'appears to be a deliberate effort to engineer the past with a single interpretation'. The coalition called last month on House of Representatives lawmakers to reject the government's bid to rewrite history. Hetifah Sjaifudian, chair of the House's Commission X overseeing education and culture, said the committee would meet with the Culture Ministry, and promised to urge the removal of the 'official' label from the new books to preserve space for open historical discourse, The Jakarta Post reported.
