'Former PKI members need rights restored'<\/p>\n
The Constitutional Court is moving closer to restoring the rights
\nto vote and run in the legislative elections to former members
\nand relatives of former members of the now banned Indonesian
\nCommunist Party (PKI). The Jakarta Post spoke with residents
\nabout this issue and communism, which previous leaders used to
\ninvoke as a clear and present danger to the nation.<\/p>\n
Asep Teguh, 30, is a taxi driver. He lives in Ciledug Indah,
\nTangerang:<\/p>\n
I support the decision. I would not want to be discriminated
\nagainst just because, hypothetically speaking, my grandfather was
\na member of an outlawed party. I might have a different ideology
\nfrom my grandfather, right? I would certainly want to be treated
\nthe same as other citizens. I might contribute something worthy
\nto the country.<\/p>\n
I believe communism is still in the country, but maybe under a
\ndifferent name, because many Indonesians are poorly educated and
\nare being marginalized. However, people can immediately recognize
\nit if a group of people or a political party has the intention of
\ntoppling the government. But they would certainly not be the
\ndescendants of PKI members, because this group would prefer to
\nlie low.<\/p>\n
Herman, 24, is a university student. He lives with his parents
\nin Jelambar, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
It is a good thing to restore the political rights of the
\nformer members of the PKI and\/or their relatives, in compensation
\nfor what they suffered over the last three decades.<\/p>\n
But what about those people who caused them to lose their
\nrights, not to be able to join an organization, apply to become a
\ncivil servant, or live a quiet life without fear of being accused
\nof being a provocateur or the cause of all the problems when
\nsomething went wrong in their neighborhood? Are they just going
\nto walk free from all that?<\/p>\n
The National Commission on Human Rights should rectify history
\nby holding a tribunal, then everybody would be happy.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/former-pki-members-need-rights-restored-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }