Bad timing

All of president Sukarno's speeches were named. Nawaksara was the name given to the president's policy account before a general session of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly in 1966. Specifically, it contained his account of the aborted coup d'etat of Sept. 30, 1965 and the upheavals that occurred in its aftermath.

From the beginning there have been disparate views and interpretations on the 1965 communist coup. The scope and influence of this reality, however, has always been insignificant, as differing interpretations are normal in any important historical event.

But the widely prevailing view is that the coup constituted a bid for power by the Indonesian Communist Party. One of the most regrettable historical facts, based on whatever considerations, was president Sukarno's attitude in this important matter which deviated from that of the community.

That being the case, how should we view the holding of the seminar on Nawaksara, which is scheduled to take place in a few days time? With all due respect for those holding different views, in particular the initiator, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman, we are inclined to believe that the timing and setting of the seminar are rather unsuitable.

Quite possibly, the seminar could be considered necessary as part of our political education and information efforts for the public, the younger generation in particular. But there seems to be a lack of urgency to hold the forum at this particular time. The issue in question is nonexistent and it is irrelevant, except perhaps as a minor nuisance started by the appearance of a brochure whose circulation has already been banned.

Wouldn't the holding of such a seminar at this very moment, so close to the general elections, be more damaging than rewarding? It could, for example, generate extreme feelings both in favor and against it -- not because the facts have changed, but because social conditions have evolved and changed. What we need to do at the present moment is to cultivate stable and peaceful conditions to ensure that the general elections and campaigning go smoothly.

We have to learn from past events and experiences, but this is first and foremost so that we will be able to face the future. For this reason, the kind of spirit which we must promote is not one that can upset people's feelings or cause an escalation of emotions and raise issues, but one that can provide a common base for all of us to stand on.

-- Kompas, Jakarta