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Indonesia writers fear censors over the 1965 communist purges
The Australian - November 2, 2015
Endy Bayuni was one of four panellists whose identities were overtly recorded last Thursday. Attendees were also photographed, and other events on Indonesia's 1965 communist purges were cancelled. "It's like the old days – during the Suharto era," Endy said.
Indonesian authors, human rights activists and journalists are concerned freedom of expression secured over the past 17 years since the fall of the Suharto regime is being wound back.
The cancellations were highlighted over the four-day festival, which ended yesterday, and would have caused some embarrassment in Washington where Indonesian President Joko Widodo was visiting the White House.
Indonesians fear Mr Joko – vulnerable over his minority government and perceived leadership weakness – is bowing to pressure from military and security forces.
On the 50th anniversary of the purges, Mr Joko has also refused to apologise to victims. The 1965 purges saw more than half a million people slaughtered.
Author Eka Kurniawan, whose panel on the communist purges was banned by authorities, said all writers were being watched.
Blaming the censorship on the military, he said: "They are in every political party. Civil society is still fighting for freedom of speech... the old power is still there.
"In the Suharto era everyone kept silent. But we still have to fight for freedom of speech. This censorship is not a new development. "
His was among a series of cancelled events, including Joshua Oppenheimer's film The Look of Silence, a book launch, translations, and an art exhibition.
Gianyar Regency police chief Farman warned a week ago that the festival's permit, which was issued by Jakarta police, would be revoked if the 1965-themed events proceeded. He cited a 1966 regulation banning communism and Marxism-Leninism.
Despite regional autonomy, it is understood Jakarta was behind the restrictions. Victims from Papua, East Timor and Java and their relatives had travelled to the festival to discuss the "public secret". Many have not spoken openly before and they are reportedly fearful again.
In a hastily prepared censorship panel on Saturday, participants discussed a nervous government unwilling to face reality as books, media and film on the atrocities flood the market.
"They are not ready to confront the reality that something horrible happened in 1965," said Endy. "They want to erase (the massacres) from the collective memory. There is a backlash against the demand for the government to apologise to victims. The President was subject to pressures."
Of additional concern is the "brainwashing of youth" – the absence of any reference to the massacres in the school curriculum – to suppress Indonesia's dark history. Not that young people haven't watched Oppenheimer's graphic films, including last year's shocking The Act of Killing, on YouTube or private screenings.
Festival founder and director Janet De Neefe told The Australian that critics had admonished her for lacking the courage to proceed with the banned events. She had been pushing awareness of the 1965 atrocities on the 50th anniversary.
Despite the controversy, the festival attracted a record crowd of 27000, up about 10 per cent on last year.
Ms De Neefe said she planned to hire a lawyer for next year's festival. "I don't know if authorities need to sign a contract but at least we would have some sort of legal document to ultimately protect us," she said.
"It's extremely difficult to deal with this sort of dilemma in the 11th hour when the team needs to focus on the delivery of the festival."
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