'Former PKI members need rights restored'

'Former PKI members need rights restored'

The Constitutional Court is moving closer to restoring the rights
to vote and run in the legislative elections to former members
and relatives of former members of the now banned Indonesian
Communist Party (PKI). The Jakarta Post spoke with residents
about this issue and communism, which previous leaders used to
invoke as a clear and present danger to the nation.

Asep Teguh, 30, is a taxi driver. He lives in Ciledug Indah,
Tangerang:

I support the decision. I would not want to be discriminated
against just because, hypothetically speaking, my grandfather was
a member of an outlawed party. I might have a different ideology
from my grandfather, right? I would certainly want to be treated
the same as other citizens. I might contribute something worthy
to the country.

I believe communism is still in the country, but maybe under a
different name, because many Indonesians are poorly educated and
are being marginalized. However, people can immediately recognize
it if a group of people or a political party has the intention of
toppling the government. But they would certainly not be the
descendants of PKI members, because this group would prefer to
lie low.

Herman, 24, is a university student. He lives with his parents
in Jelambar, West Jakarta:

It is a good thing to restore the political rights of the
former members of the PKI and/or their relatives, in compensation
for what they suffered over the last three decades.

But what about those people who caused them to lose their
rights, not to be able to join an organization, apply to become a
civil servant, or live a quiet life without fear of being accused
of being a provocateur or the cause of all the problems when
something went wrong in their neighborhood? Are they just going
to walk free from all that?

The National Commission on Human Rights should rectify history
by holding a tribunal, then everybody would be happy.

-- The Jakarta Post