'Debate on others' ideology pointless'<\/p>\n
After more than three decades, former members of the banned
\nIndonesian Communist Party (PKI) and their relatives have been
\nrestored their right to vote and to run in the legislative
\nelections. The Jakarta Post spoke with a few residents about this
\nissue and on communism, which previous leaders had stigmatized as
\na clear and present danger to the nation.<\/p>\n
Advent Tambun, 29, teaches Spanish at a private firm in Radio
\nDalam, South Jakarta, where he also lives:<\/p>\n
In my opinion, the decision to reinstate the rights of former
\nPKI members is merely a political maneuver of a major party to
\nwin public sympathy.<\/p>\n
Recently, a group discussion I joined in talked about the
\nissue and the possible motives behind the reinstatement of rights
\nfor former PKI members. We concluded that the move might be a
\ntypical strategy of the ruling government to garner support ahead
\nof the general elections.<\/p>\n
I never felt that the PKI was a potential threat to our
\nnation. I also believe that people of my generation do not care
\nmuch about the issue. To argue over someone's ideology is simply
\npointless.<\/p>\n
Dwi Wahyu Prianto, 28, is an editor at a publishing company in
\nCiracas, East Jakarta. He lives in Pondok Gede, Bekasi:<\/p>\n
I support the decision. Political rights is a basic human
\nright. Besides, to date, the party has not been proven guilty of
\nany wrongdoings, despite its being banned.<\/p>\n
I also doubt that the reinstatement will give them a chance to
\nbe in power as in the old days. They are too old and too weak to
\noverthrow the ruling power. Their activities in society are also
\nvery limited. And bathed in such an intense limelight like they
\nare today, they will not do anything stupid that might give the
\ngovernment any reason to crush them again.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/debate-on-others-ideology-pointless-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }