Communist resurgence -- fact or fiction?<\/p>\n
Repeated government warnings in past weeks about the dangers
\nof communism have included expressions like \"formless
\norganizations\", \"night communists\", \"daylight communists\" and
\n\"new-style communism\". Political observer Harry Tjan Silalahi
\ntalks about the issue in an interview with The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Question: Many high-ranking military officers have recently
\nspoken of the re-emergence of communism. Why is this?<\/p>\n
Answer: The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in Indonesia has
\nbeen disbanded. Communism, as a legal organization, is no more.
\nDoes Marxism-Leninism still exist? If it does, I think it is
\npossibly only in China, Vietnam, Cuba and North Korea. They have
\nadopted Marxism-Leninism as their official ideology. However,
\neven that has been revised. Vietnam, for example, has accepted
\nthe market economy. China too. Only Cuba and North Korea have not
\ndone so. However, Cuba is heading for it, too. So, ideologically,
\ncommunism has inwardly started to fade. It is no longer solid as
\na whole ideological power. If communism is now a problem again in
\nIndonesia, I do not know what or who is being referred to. Those
\nresponsible for security probably know exactly.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you see something behind these warnings?<\/p>\n
A: It is worth noting that the fight against social injustice,
\ndefending the common people, the fight for legal certainty,
\nsocial welfare and other causes are not the monopoly of communist
\nteachings. These are very human concerns. I think all great
\nreligions impart such teachings. And (state ideology) Pancasila
\nalso advocates social justice. Therefore, to brand fighting for
\nsocial justice as \"communism\" is false. We need to know why
\npeople fight for justice. If what people say is true, we should
\npay attention to the reasons (for the protests). Not the
\ncriticisms.<\/p>\n
Q: Suppose the government reacted like that, what would the
\nresult be?<\/p>\n
A: By doing so, we would not stifle criticism. We are pushing
\nfor democracy. With democracy man's dignity is enhanced. Thus, we
\ncreate genuine Pancasila people. That should be our positive
\nstarting point. I am not ignoring the fact that ours is a
\npluralistic society which is vulnerable to insidious issues. We
\nmust be watchful against them. However, do not forget that a
\ndisturbance to national integrity can also take place due to
\nsocial gaps. We must be grateful if truly patriotic, nationalist
\npeople make criticisms. It shows that they are concerned about
\nour nation.<\/p>\n
Q: There is an impression that the government looks any social
\nmovement with suspicion.<\/p>\n
A: Charging somebody should be the second step after an
\naccusation turns out to be true. If people say wages are below
\nstandard, we have to look into the matter. If it is not true
\nthere is a possibility that they former PKI members who want to
\ndivide the nation. But the important thing is to avoid the
\nunderpayment of workers.<\/p>\n
Q: So, the important thing is to first check what has been
\nsaid, rather than to arrest those concerned?<\/p>\n
A: Check first. Look first into the causes. Therefore, in our
\npluralistic community, formal as well as non-formal leaders
\nshould be prudent in offering their opinions.<\/p>\n
Q: It is said that unrecognized labor leader Muchtar
\nPakpahan's father was involved in a communist-related incident?<\/p>\n
A: I do not have any proof or reports on it so it is hard for
\nme to offer an evaluation. I have only heard some statements.<\/p>\n
Q: Suppose the charge were true?<\/p>\n
A: Still one cannot judge in such a way as if the disease or
\nthe sin is hereditary. I do not believe in hereditary sin.<\/p>\n
Q: What about the Central Java farmers who were arrested on
\ncharges of attempting to set up an Islamic state?<\/p>\n
A: That needs to be proven. They cannot be branded just like
\nthat. It could give rise to anxiety. It is worse if, due to
\nemotion, mutual suspicion reigns in the community. That is even
\nharder to get under control.<\/p>\n
Q: Communists do exist in some countries and those countries
\ndo not seem to face the kind of danger perceived here. Why is
\nthat?<\/p>\n
A: As I have said communist teachings are not attractive
\nanymore. They have failed on their own account. Particularly in
\nIndonesia they met with failure due to their inability to respond
\nto our nation's principles.<\/p>\n
Q: There have also been charges that some people are trying to
\ndistort history through the publication of books, such as Oei
\nTjoe Tat's memoirs?<\/p>\n
A: There are a number of inaccuracies in the memoirs. But it
\nis up to us to deal with it. They can become materials for
\ndiscussion or, if we are not willing to look into it now, maybe
\nin 10 years the next generation can do that. I have also written
\non the 1965 abortive communist coup and I am convinced that it
\nwas brought about by the PKI. And I am prepared to defend my
\nopinion in front of the people who do not believe that the PKI
\nwas behind the coup.<\/p>\n
Q: Some people think all these warnings about communism has to
\ndo with the 1997 general elections, as a move to preempt vocal
\nNGOs and other activists.<\/p>\n
A: Why should there be fear? Except if the NGOs or the
\nactivists are bringing up superficial issues or deliberately
\ninciting the masses. If they really present concrete issues,
\nbased on observation, why should the government be afraid?<\/p>\n
Finally, it should be remembered that the authorities are also
\nhuman beings who have consciences. I do not agree with the
\nprejudice that the authorities are a bad lot. They also have
\nfeelings, thoughts and common sense. If you come to them with a
\nclear explanation of a problem, they will certainly listen to
\nyou. If they cannot speak while they are in power, some day their
\npower will end. Experience has shown that former commanders,
\nministers, generals, governors and others are also endowed with
\nfeelings like us. (hbk, swa)<\/p>\n
Harry Tjan Silalahi, a secretary-general of the Crush Gestapo-
\nPKI Action Front in 1965, is now Vice Chairman of the Supervisory
\nBoard of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.<\/p>",
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