Our convenient memory loss about the July 27 tragedy

Our convenient memory loss about the July 27 tragedy

If you live in Jakarta, I suggest you visit an old building on
Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, next to the United Development
Party (PPP) headquarters, on Sunday.

It was here that dozens of supporters of Megawati
Soekarnoputri were killed or injured, and many others went
missing, on this date seven years ago, when hundreds of hoodlums
attacked the building during a standoff.

Scatter some flowers, light a candle or say a prayer for the
victims, who died believing Megawati was blessed by God to end
Soeharto's dictatorship and to bring prosperity and justice to
tens of millions of wong cilik (little people).

But do not expect to see the object of their devotion. She has
appeared to suffer convenient memory loss about the tragedy since
she became president, for she will not benefit by seeking justice
for them now. If I am not mistaken, and with a thousand apologies
if I am wrong, Megawati once reportedly reproached the survivors
that she had never asked them to fight for her.

It is more possible that Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso will say a
silent prayer of thanks to the victims, because he probably
wouldn't be where he is today without the events of July 27. As
Jakarta military chief entrusted with security for the capital,
the now retired three-star general was, at the very least,
responsible for the unchecked mayhem on that fateful day.

Of course, he has not seen and probably will not see his day
in court. No, instead, perhaps for his show of loyalty in
defending the dictatorship, Soeharto rewarded him the
governorship, and he has doggedly held on to the job.

Megawati also has reason to thank him, because without the
massacre she would not have been exalted to martyr status, even
though it was her supporters who lost their lives.

Now it is my turn to worship myself -- no one else wants to do
it -- by declaring that I was a witness to the tragedy.

For many nights before the tragedy, I had gone to see the
hundreds of Megawati supporters camped out to prevent the
government occupying her office and installing a government
lackey to lead the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). "Your
husband is also fighting for the country's democracy," I told my
worried wife every night.

When the tragedy occurred early that Saturday morning, I was
too sleepy and woke up late. However, I still saw military and
police personnel brutally beat the protesters, acting as though
they were born to defend the glory of Soeharto.

I made sure that I was still a safe distance away from the
violence but, when I arrived home, I naturally dramatized my
exploits, and my wife and children praised me for my bravery.

Later that evening, I visited Megawati's residence in
Kebagusan, South Jakarta. In the living room, Megawati received
the reporter of an international magazine. I saw her crying and
her daughter Puan trying to console her. She had stayed at home
at the suggestion of her advisors, so she did not know the real
situation on Jl. Diponegoro.

I had followed Megawati since 1987 when she first campaigned
for the House of Representatives (DPR) for the then tiny PDI. I
followed her on her travels to Surabaya and Pasuruan in East
Java. And I had lunch with her at least three times at her
favorite Japanese restaurant near Tugu Tani in Central Jakarta.

As she vowed to uphold justice, the number of her supporters
dramatically increased, boosted again by the July 27 massacre and
her role of the victim.

The offshoot of PDI, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), won the 1999 general election, because
tens of millions of people believed she was the only person who
could save Indonesia. I forced my wife to vote for her, although
I know she never trusts my political instincts.

Like those hopes, the July 27 tragedy is conveniently
forgotten now. Some of the same people who openly supported the
government's claim that it was subversives behind the massacre
now praise Megawati's wisdom and fortitude.

Many of them profess to have always been on her side in the
struggle for democracy. So, where were they on July 27, 1996?
Open a few newspaper files and you will find out the truth.

Although it's highly unlikely, if I did get to have lunch with
the President today, I would know full well that talking about
the July 27 victims would be sure to put her off her food.

So, if she asked in passing about my whereabouts on July 27
seven years ago, I would smile and lie through my teeth: "Don't
you remember Ibu, we enjoyed sushi and this famous fried ice
cream here, sipping our green tea while we heard the shooting and
saw the smoke rising in the distance?"

Case closed. --Kornelius Purba