War veterans demand more attention

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar

Red-and-white national flags brighten up the atmosphere at a housing complex in Makassar where war veterans began preparing to welcome the country's 60th anniversary celebrations on Aug. 17.

But the flags and banners adorning most houses in the complex in Paropo subdistrict, were not able to hide the reality of the hard life experienced by some 44 veteran families living there.

Although they live in a "housing complex", the houses are not much different than those found in slum areas, where housing materials are quite similar: corrugated iron roofs, wood plank and plywood walls. Some houses are even built above a swamp area.

"This is the reality of our life, the veterans. Year after year we get less and less attention while our numbers are declining," Andi Jemma, 85, head of the Indonesia Veteran Legion's branch in Panakkukang district, told The Jakarta Post.

The veterans moved into their current complex after being evicted from their previous houses in 2003.

Back in 1993, the veterans were given around 5,000 square meters of land by the Makassar city administration. But problems emerged when a developer claimed that around 2,000 square meters of the land was his.

The veterans lost a legal battle against the developer, and were evicted in May 2003. But they insisted upon staying, building makeshift houses until they were again told to leave in June 2003.

Still, the veterans and their families insisted on staying put. Since their houses were flattened to the ground, they lived in makeshift tents for a year, while fighting for their right to the land in court.

In March last year, the Makassar city administration finally provided another site for the veterans, with each family receiving a 84-square-meter plot of land.

"We were given the new land, but we're still worried because it does not come with a land certificate. Besides, the location is prone to floods and is close to a swamp," Andi said.

The hard reality has made most of the veterans and their families realize they were no longer appreciated. After fighting for the country's independence, they have not been able to taste the real independence that they thought they were fighting for. For them, the country's anniversary celebrations have now become a mere ceremonial event, while its true meaning has diminished.

Andi said the lack of appreciation shown for the veterans from the government and society could be seen from many things, such as from fewer and fewer invitations to attend the country's anniversary celebrations at the South Sulawesi governor's residence.

"Previously, every branch of the Indonesia Veteran Legion got 10 invitations, but the number is less and less each year. This time around, we only received two," he said.

Furthermore, he said the amount of money and facilities allocated for the veterans was so low, not enough to support their families, forcing many veterans to depend on their children.

Andi said that, the veterans were fighting harder to survive now than when they fought for the country's independence.

Back then, he added, they knew their enemy and their weapons while now, it's hard to identify the enemy, while politics and money are being used as weapons.

"Of course we're on the losing side because we're not familiar with politics and don't have money to be used as our weapon. We fought for independence, but don't feel independent," Andi said.

Still, there is hope the government will show more attention, such as by providing them with compensation for their land to allow them have proper housing.

"We just hope that we can live a decent life in our twilight years," said Daeng Te'ne, 72, a veteran's widow.