Communist resurgence -- fact or fiction?
Communist resurgence -- fact or fiction?
Repeated government warnings in past weeks about the dangers
of communism have included expressions like "formless
organizations", "night communists", "daylight communists" and
"new-style communism". Political observer Harry Tjan Silalahi
talks about the issue in an interview with The Jakarta Post.
Question: Many high-ranking military officers have recently
spoken of the re-emergence of communism. Why is this?
Answer: The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in Indonesia has
been disbanded. Communism, as a legal organization, is no more.
Does Marxism-Leninism still exist? If it does, I think it is
possibly only in China, Vietnam, Cuba and North Korea. They have
adopted Marxism-Leninism as their official ideology. However,
even that has been revised. Vietnam, for example, has accepted
the market economy. China too. Only Cuba and North Korea have not
done so. However, Cuba is heading for it, too. So, ideologically,
communism has inwardly started to fade. It is no longer solid as
a whole ideological power. If communism is now a problem again in
Indonesia, I do not know what or who is being referred to. Those
responsible for security probably know exactly.
Q: Do you see something behind these warnings?
A: It is worth noting that the fight against social injustice,
defending the common people, the fight for legal certainty,
social welfare and other causes are not the monopoly of communist
teachings. These are very human concerns. I think all great
religions impart such teachings. And (state ideology) Pancasila
also advocates social justice. Therefore, to brand fighting for
social justice as "communism" is false. We need to know why
people fight for justice. If what people say is true, we should
pay attention to the reasons (for the protests). Not the
criticisms.
Q: Suppose the government reacted like that, what would the
result be?
A: By doing so, we would not stifle criticism. We are pushing
for democracy. With democracy man's dignity is enhanced. Thus, we
create genuine Pancasila people. That should be our positive
starting point. I am not ignoring the fact that ours is a
pluralistic society which is vulnerable to insidious issues. We
must be watchful against them. However, do not forget that a
disturbance to national integrity can also take place due to
social gaps. We must be grateful if truly patriotic, nationalist
people make criticisms. It shows that they are concerned about
our nation.
Q: There is an impression that the government looks any social
movement with suspicion.
A: Charging somebody should be the second step after an
accusation turns out to be true. If people say wages are below
standard, we have to look into the matter. If it is not true
there is a possibility that they former PKI members who want to
divide the nation. But the important thing is to avoid the
underpayment of workers.
Q: So, the important thing is to first check what has been
said, rather than to arrest those concerned?
A: Check first. Look first into the causes. Therefore, in our
pluralistic community, formal as well as non-formal leaders
should be prudent in offering their opinions.
Q: It is said that unrecognized labor leader Muchtar
Pakpahan's father was involved in a communist-related incident?
A: I do not have any proof or reports on it so it is hard for
me to offer an evaluation. I have only heard some statements.
Q: Suppose the charge were true?
A: Still one cannot judge in such a way as if the disease or
the sin is hereditary. I do not believe in hereditary sin.
Q: What about the Central Java farmers who were arrested on
charges of attempting to set up an Islamic state?
A: That needs to be proven. They cannot be branded just like
that. It could give rise to anxiety. It is worse if, due to
emotion, mutual suspicion reigns in the community. That is even
harder to get under control.
Q: Communists do exist in some countries and those countries
do not seem to face the kind of danger perceived here. Why is
that?
A: As I have said communist teachings are not attractive
anymore. They have failed on their own account. Particularly in
Indonesia they met with failure due to their inability to respond
to our nation's principles.
Q: There have also been charges that some people are trying to
distort history through the publication of books, such as Oei
Tjoe Tat's memoirs?
A: There are a number of inaccuracies in the memoirs. But it
is up to us to deal with it. They can become materials for
discussion or, if we are not willing to look into it now, maybe
in 10 years the next generation can do that. I have also written
on the 1965 abortive communist coup and I am convinced that it
was brought about by the PKI. And I am prepared to defend my
opinion in front of the people who do not believe that the PKI
was behind the coup.
Q: Some people think all these warnings about communism has to
do with the 1997 general elections, as a move to preempt vocal
NGOs and other activists.
A: Why should there be fear? Except if the NGOs or the
activists are bringing up superficial issues or deliberately
inciting the masses. If they really present concrete issues,
based on observation, why should the government be afraid?
Finally, it should be remembered that the authorities are also
human beings who have consciences. I do not agree with the
prejudice that the authorities are a bad lot. They also have
feelings, thoughts and common sense. If you come to them with a
clear explanation of a problem, they will certainly listen to
you. If they cannot speak while they are in power, some day their
power will end. Experience has shown that former commanders,
ministers, generals, governors and others are also endowed with
feelings like us. (hbk, swa)
Harry Tjan Silalahi, a secretary-general of the Crush Gestapo-
PKI Action Front in 1965, is now Vice Chairman of the Supervisory
Board of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.