Mochtar Lubis annoyed

Mochtar Lubis annoyed

From Sinar

I'd like to refer to the article in Sinar, Oct. 3, 1994
containing an interview with Mochtar Lubis entitled: If I were a
military man I'd send Bung Karno to jail.

Do you feel annoyed because during the Old Order era you were
often picked up when you were the Chief Editor of the daily
Indonesia Raya (as is recorded in the book entitled Catatan
Subversi or Subversive Notes)?

May I ask you now: You often protested against abuse of power
and corruption during the Old Order era, didn't you?

In the New Order abuse of power and corruption still exists,
even worse than before. The Golden Key scandal is a case in
point. Don't you dare criticize such an abuse of power as you
would have when you were at the Indonesia Raya? The nature and
quality of the crimes are the same, aren't they? But the timing
of the crimes is different, one took place during the Old Order
and the other in the New Order.

As for the issue concerning Bung Karno in the context of the
communist's treason, heaven only knows! He died almost 24 years
ago. What's the use of arguing about his mistakes anyway?

A SIREGAR

Bandung, West Java