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