“Suharto, September 1965 and East Timor”
With deep regret, we would like to draw your kind attention to an article entitled “Suharto, September 1965 and East Timor” by Syed Badrul Ahsan, Editor, Current Affairs, published in your newspaper on 30 January 2008. It appears that the writer made a tendentious article and fabricated it with an ill motive against Suharto.
The first part of the article which discusses Suharto's involvement in the 1965 coup, shows the partiality of the writer. Its argumentation develops only on two contradictory opinions that could not be regarded as evidence. The fact is that the issue is very broad and complicated involving so many parties, including allegedly the western force, which makes no sense. Suddenly, the writer jumps to a conclusion that Suharto and Latif had planned to “kidnap seven generals” and stood behind the coup.
On this weak “assumption”, the writer then develops the more controversial and speculative statement that “the PKI... was not at all involved with the tragic event of September 30, 1965”. While on the other hand, the Indonesian court's decision shows the other way, and it should be mentioned that “the 1965 coup” was not the Indonesian Communists Party's (PKI) first attempt at it. In 1948, the PKI, led by Mr. Musso, had also tried to seize power through a bloody coup in Madiun, East Java.
The fight against the communists in 1965 was backed by the Indonesian Armed Forces and the people of the Republic of Indonesia, especially by the Muslims. Through the People's Consultative Assembly's Decree Number XXV 1966 (the highest state body) Indonesia has banned the PKI. The writer's allegation of Suharto alone being responsible for letting loose “a bloodbath, killing as many as 2,000,000 Indonesians...” is again difficult to prove.
The facts indicate that former President Suharto is loved by the Indonesian people. When he was in hospital for intensive treatment people came to visit him and prayed for his well-being and they mourned his death. Not only that, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia officially declared a seven-day long mourning in remembrance of the former president. H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, has stated that with the demise of Suharto, “Indonesia has lost one of the country's greatest sons, a dedicated fighter, a true soldier and an honourable statesman.”
Syed Badrul Ashan's article is not only misleading but also contains some objectionable remarks which might hurt the sentiments of the Indonesian people.
At this moment, we should show respect to the man, because it was during Suharto's regime that Indonesia was among the first countries in the world that formally recognised the sovereignty of Bangladesh.
We appreciate the writer's interest in Indonesia; however the way he focuses his effort only on Suharto's negative sides has been disappointing.
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