History of Sept. 30 events

History of Sept. 30 events

I refer to the letter from Michael Hills published a few days
ago in The Jakarta Post regarding the events that took place on
Sept. 30 back in 1965.

As I have mentioned earlier, history is always written by the
victors and accordingly we have had to watch the movie that was
shown every year on Sept. 30 up until 1997 depicting the events
as seen by the winning side.

It portrayed the atrocities meted out to the generals who were
reportedly murdered by communist insurgents. Later on, when the
tide turned, we found out that the communist insurgents were also
not spared.

Now that neither side to that particular conflict is in a
position of influence and power, and a reasonably long period of
40 years has elapsed, it is time an attempt was made to write the
correct or official history based on what actually happened.

This should be done while many people from that era are still
alive and the necessary documents in government archives are in
the public domain.

It may not be easy, but if further time elapses, it will
become more and more difficult as more and more people who
witnessed the events pass away.

We should not forget that one of the most investigated
mysteries of the last century, viz., the assassination of
president Kennedy, is still unresolved after 42 years.

K. B. KALE
Jakarta