'Tritura' still relevant

'Tritura' still relevant

Jan. 10 is observed as Tritura day, celebrating three people's demands made twenty-nine years ago today by Indonesian students. The youths demanded that the Indonesian Communist Party be banned, the Cabinet be purged of communist elements, and the prices of goods be lowered.

As has been known, Tritura emerged in the midst of difficult economical and political conditions resulting from betrayal and the attempted communists G-30-S coup in 1965.

The question now is whether the Tritura demands are still relevant today. This question is justified because the people's demands from 29 years ago have been realized.

Indonesia now faces new situations and globalization and liberalization are new challenges. Thus the theme and spirit of the Tritura are still highly relevant and must be followed to achieve real values of democracy, justice and truth.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta