Magsaysay award

I read with interest the report on the Magsaysay award presented to Pramoedya Ananta Toer. The choice had drawn protests from some prominent intellectuals in Indonesia. It is evident that intellectuals are divided in this matter. Taufiq Ismail and his friend on the one hand, and noted sociologist Arief Budiman and others on the other. The latter agrees with the award (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 12, 1995).

Considering the arguments forwarded by both sides, I come to the conclusion that they are both right. Taufiq Ismail, Mochtar Lubis, Rendra and others are right to say that Pramoedya had committed a great sin in his campaign to oppress the creativity of non-communist writers in the early 1960s. It is not only a sin in the literary intellectuals but it is also a sin to the science and human civilization. So their protest against the Magsaysay award for Pramoedya is understandable.

On the other hand, Arief Budiman is right in having a great soul. What Arief did is a difficult maneuver. But he could do it. I appreciate the way he did. I think he is a true democrat, judging his way of thinking. He demanded us to have a great soul.

Now we have to consider what is the Magsaysay award for? Is the award given to someone who has a lifetime dedication to literature? Or, is it done for one's works?

I agree with Arief that we have to make an effort to create a new culture--democratic culture. We don't have to show vengeance or we should not abuse power.

MOEFLICH HASBULLAH

Bandung, West Java