'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