Gus Dur insists on lifting communism ban<\/p>\n
NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is staking
\nhis reputation in proposing the revocation of a 34-year-old
\ndecree banning communism, saying he is willing to be branded a
\ntraitor.<\/p>\n
"I don't care if people consider me a traitor, go ahead.
\nWhat's clear is that I will propose the revocation of the decree
\nat the next general session of the MPR in August," the President
\nsaid here on Friday, referring to the People's Consultative
\nAssembly.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman insisted Provisional People's Consultative
\nAssembly Decree No. 25\/1966 violates the preamble to the 1945
\nConstitution.<\/p>\n
"That decree prohibits people from expressing their thoughts
\non communist teachings, both Marxism and Leninism, while we know
\nthe 1945 Constitution guarantees people the right to express
\ntheir thoughts and views," Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
"As the President, I swore to uphold the Constitution. The
\nsection that must be upheld at all cost is its preamble, not its
\narticles."<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, as the President is known, renewed his proposal
\nbefore participants of a congress of the Rotary International
\nD3400 here and reiterated it later in the day after praying at An
\nNur Mosque.<\/p>\n
Accompanying the President during his one-day visit to Bali
\nwere First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, his daughter Lisa Halim, State
\nMinister of Social Affairs Anak Agung Gde Agung and Bali Governor
\nDewa Made Beratha.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman maintained, however, his idea remained a proposal
\nthat required the approval of the 700-member Assembly, which will
\nconvene for its annual general session in August.<\/p>\n
He said it was completely up to the Assembly to decide whether
\nto revoke the ban. "It's allowable for anybody to request (that
\nthe ban be lifted). I am just asking, but the anger is explosive.
\nThey call me a traitor and so on."<\/p>\n
He said he would deliver a thorough explanation of his
\nproposal during the commemoration of National Awakening Day on
\nMay 20.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said if the people wanted to develop a clean
\ngovernment, freedom of expression and thought must be assured.
\n"Even the most dangerous thoughts, because it is guaranteed by
\nthe Constitution."<\/p>\n
Citing an example, he said the separatist Free Papua Movement
\nhad asked permission to hold a congress in Irian Jaya. "I told
\nthem if you just want to make speeches then go ahead, no
\nproblem," the President said, adding that this was permissible as
\nlong as it did not create unrest.<\/p>\n
The decree prohibiting communism was passed following the 1965
\nabortive coup blamed on the now banned Indonesian Communist Party
\n(PKI).<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said earlier during a consultative meeting with
\nthe House of Representatives that he agreed with the banning of
\nPKI, but challenged the ban on communism on the grounds that it
\nviolated human rights and the principles of democracy.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman's proposal to revoke the ban has sparked massive
\nprotests, particularly by Muslim groups. Several politicians went
\nas far as to request the Assembly call a special session to oust
\nAbdurrahman over his proposal. (zen\/jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-insists-on-lifting-communism-ban-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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