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