Debate on Pramoedya<\/p>\n
I was surprised to read the statement published in Kompas on
\nAug. 6, 1995, by 26 artists\/authors opposing the choice of
\nPramoedya Ananta Toer for the winner of the Magsaysay literary
\naward.<\/p>\n
First, it is really surprising why our authors have endlessly
\ndebated the same subject, whereas they are paying no attention to
\nthe greater and more urgent problem i.e. \"what is the future of
\nour national culture?\" This question is left unanswered. So the
\npublic seem to be unable to follow the \"honorable\" writers.
\nShould the case become a polemic, the debate must be carried out
\nin a transparent way. In other words, each argument should be
\nsupported by clear facts, and not by reprimanding comments, as
\nquoted in Kompas: \"We fear that the Magsaysay award to Pramoedya
\nat the same time implies that the Magsaysay Award Foundation is
\npaying him for assaulting and suppressing freedom of creativity
\nfrom the early 60s up to mid-60s in Indonesia.\"<\/p>\n
Second, it would be much better if the public were given the
\nopportunity to listen to a dialog or debate between the two
\nconflicting parties. Through an open debate, the public would be
\nable to perceive the problem proportionately. The younger
\ngeneration would learn from the open dialog how to enrich their
\ndemocratic life and attitude in the quest for truth. Also in the
\n50 years of Indonesia's independence, the younger generation will
\nfind the momentum to reflect on what the previous generation has
\ndone right or what it has done wrong, and try to find the best
\nsolution to future problems and challenges.<\/p>\n
I wish that the honorable writers would not dwell merely on
\nthe issue of the literary award. Great writers of the caliber of
\nPramoedya and Mochtar Lubis were not writing with the intention
\nof winning an award, but they wanted to contribute to the effort
\nof solving humanitarian problems by means of literary work
\nwithout resorting to sensational statements.<\/p>\n
Third, it further surprises me that the role of Pramoedya is
\nalways regarded as uncommendable during the age of Guided
\nDemocracy, in which creativity was oppressed. If this is true,
\nthen we should also consider the role of many of the
\nwriters\/artists during the occupation of the Japanese military
\nregime in World War II. When seen from the humanitarian point of
\nview, the atrocities of the Guided Democracy is nothing compared
\nto those of the Japanese regime during World War II.<\/p>\n
ASHOKA SIAHAAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/debate-on-pramoedya-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }