'Communism only grows when injustice prevails'<\/p>\n
After almost 40 years without political rights, former members of
\nthe banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and their families
\nwill be able to vote and run in the coming legislative elections.
\nThe Jakarta Post talked to some people about their views on the
\nissue and whether they saw communism as a threat to the country.<\/p>\n
Hendri Suhenda, 33, is a financial consultant with a private
\ncompany in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. He lives with his wife
\nand a baby girl in Serpong, Tangerang:<\/p>\n
It's great. I support the policy to reinstate the rights of
\nformer PKI members. Not all of them have done wrong. Many were
\neven sentenced to prison without trial. They deserve to get their
\nrights back.<\/p>\n
I am not worried that this will encourage the growth of
\ncommunism here. Communism will only grow if injustice prevails in
\na society. When the gap between the rich and the poor widens, it
\nbecomes a hotbed for these ideologies. Otherwise, it is an
\nobsolete ideology, and will be regarded as such.<\/p>\n
Farida, 30, works as a secretary with a private firm in
\nCiracas, East Jakarta. She lives in Cawang, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I think PKI members and their families deserve the right to
\njoin the upcoming elections just like other Indonesian citizens.
\nI support the decision to allow them to vote although I don't
\nknow the reason behind the decision.<\/p>\n
Besides, we don't know what really happened back then. The
\nfacts are quite confusing and many people have their own versions
\non the tragedy. It is possible that the government's version is
\nnot true.<\/p>\n
The PKI members, who are still alive, were not prominent
\nfigures in the party, so why should we take away their political
\nrights?<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/communism-only-grows-when-injustice-prevails-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }