Don't corrupt history, says Vice President<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno warned historians
\nyesterday against corrupting history for the sake of a particular
\ncause.<\/p>\n
He underlined the importance of history in preserving the
\nvalues of the past, especially the fighting spirit of the
\nforefathers who won Indonesia independence.<\/p>\n
Try's remarks came at the opening of a four-day congress of
\nthe Indonesian Historical Society.<\/p>\n
People should be able to pick up the spirit and significance
\nof historical events and apply it to present day situations, said
\nthe vice president.<\/p>\n
Try called history a foundation for the future, which the
\npresent can fall back on.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the chief organizer of the congress, Edi Sedyawati,
\nexplained the congress was a continuation of the five historical
\nseminars held by the society.<\/p>\n
The first historical seminar was held in Yogyakarta in 1957.
\n\"It was a formal event aimed at finding a historical and
\nmethodological basis for what has been called 'Indonesian
\nNational History',\" said Edi, who is also the Director General
\nfor Culture.<\/p>\n
The 265 participants in the current congress, held at Hotel
\nIndonesia, have gathered around the theme, A Dialog on the Past
\nto Open Up the Present and Plan the Future.<\/p>\n
At an afternoon session of the congress, the society inducted
\nfive new honorary members.<\/p>\n
Historian Taufik Abdullah said in his presentation speech that
\nthe organization sought to honor non-historians who have
\ncontributed outstanding historical works.<\/p>\n
Those inducted were former armed forces chief Abdul Haris
\nNasution, former minister of home affairs Ida Anak Agung Gede
\nAgung, former governor of Aceh Ali Hasjmy, social scientist G.J.
\nResink, and the late Rusli Amran.<\/p>\n
Only Nasution and Ali Hasjmy were present during yesterday's
\nceremony. Ida Anak Agung Gede Agung and Resink were unable to
\nattend because of illness.<\/p>\n
Taufik Abdullah highlighted the contributions of each honorary
\nmember that won them the distinction. Nasution's writings, he
\nsaid, have become a foundation of Indonesian military history.
\nIda Anak Agung Gede Agung was recognized for his work in
\nanalyzing the Renville peace agreement.<\/p>\n
Resink's contribution was his international legal approach to
\nhis study on Indonesian colonialism. Ali Hasjmy and Rusli Amran
\nwere lauded for their work in spotlighting the history of the
\nAceh and Minangkabau cultures.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Indonesian Historical Society,
\nNoorhadi Magetsari, acknowledged that compared with other
\nacademic organizations, the Society has yet to produce concrete
\nresults.<\/p>\n
With the aim of improving professionalism, the Society aims to
\nboost the quality of graduates in the field history.<\/p>\n
\"Compared to the Indonesian Medical Association and The
\nIndonesian Economists Association, the Historical Society has yet
\nto show any real contribution to the community,\" he remarked. (mds)<\/p>",
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