Autobiography

Autobiography
and differences

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said that the
recently released autobiography of Gen (ret) Sumitro was not a
problem for the corps, although it includes controversial
statements about other top Armed Forces members and the Malari
incident, the biggest student demonstration in the New Order era
which occurred in 1974.

Autobiographies which are written by those who have a lot of
experiences and play important roles in this republic will be
good references for the young generation, so they can learn to
understand the history of this country and have clearer
perceptions of it. But it is important to remember that facts
which are kept unpublished for 25 years could be read in an
autobiography or memoir.

We should learn to accept differences prevailing in our
community, so we needn't overreact in facing such a case. We
should open a forum for different opinions, questions and
discussions and make debating popular among people.

Various points of views or perceptions of a case or incident
which are written in autobiographies of some figures, perhaps are
a good example of how to accept differences.

-Kompas, Jakarta