Forum for Peace

Forum for Peace

From Republika

The newly established Indonesian Forum for Peace (FID),
supported by a number of national figures, has gained popularity
in Indonesia's political arena. It is quite acceptable for people
of an assortment of backgrounds to get together in the pursuit of
peace. Emil Salim and Mar'ie Muhammad, figures of the New Order,
are found together with Imam B Prasodjo, Andi Mallarangeng, Mudji
Sutrisno and a few more younger figures. Then there are also
Budiman Sudjatmiko and Munir, who are well-known for their
radical thoughts and their contradicting attitude toward the
Indonesian military.

It seems strange to me that Sri Bintang Pamungkas has not been
invited to join the forum. What have you done wrong, Mr. Bintang,
so that you seem to have been ostracized? Is it because you
haven't made up with Andi Mallarangeng, your opponent in the
General Elections Commission?

Regardless of the above, it is quite reasonable to raise a
question about the establishment of this forum. It seems to be a
lame excuse to say that the establishment of the forum was
prompted by the Christmas Eve bomb blasts. Why weren't these
figures prompted to set up a similar forum when Muslims in Ambon
were assaulted during 1419 H Idul Fitri prayers? Why haven't
Munir's Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence
and FID done anything at all to probe this case?

D. PAPILAYA

Jakarta