Munir inspires new generation

People remember all great leaders after their death by what they did for the human race in terms of religious, social, political and cultural achievements. Some of them become icons, which inspire future generations.

In fact, all people have the right and power to say what a government should and should not do.

When people start a movement, we may wonder who is behind the actions or who the motivator is. So, in the case of Munir, he has lit the people's spirit and raised their collective consciousness. Without Munir and his friends, a lot of people in this country would have never awakened from their ignorance.

Our struggle for independence started from our heroes' consciousness and patriotism. We had prince Diponegoro, Imam Bonjol, prince Pattimura, Cut Nyak Dien and many others. They died for the country, and people remember their sacrifices and have made them icons. They fought injustice that prevailed during the colonial times.

Munir was a virtual nobody when his own consciousness was still asleep as a younger man. But when he realized that a lot of injustice prevailed and breaches of law by the state were rampant in this country, he set about on a journey to fight the social evils and ills.

People throughout the world soon became acquainted with his work as a stout fighter against all forms injustices and violence. He founded a forum called Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), which the international community soon focused on because a lot of people went missing shortly after criticizing the government.

After his tragic, untimely death, his ideals continue to inspire people to pursue justice and defend human rights. We then have every reason to make Munir an icon of justice and human rights.

PURNOMO SATRIYO, Malang, East Java