Peristiwa Talangsari 36 Tahun Lalu | PUTAR BALIK

Summary

The Talangsari incident, which occurred on February 7, 1989, in Lampung, Indonesia, was a violent clash that resulted in over 130 deaths and widespread human rights abuses. The conflict arose from a government crackdown on a religious group led by Anwar, who was accused of opposing the state ideology, Pancasila. The military and police response led to a deadly confrontation, leaving many civilians dead and others imprisoned. Despite official reports, the full extent of the violence and its aftermath remains controversial, with calls for justice and accountability still ongoing more than three decades later.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Talangsari incident, occurring on February 7, 1989, was a violent clash between the Indonesian military and a religious group led by Anwar (Warsidi) in Lampung.
• 😀 At least 130 people were killed in the violence, with numerous civilians, including children and women, caught in the conflict.
• 😀 The Indonesian military suspected Anwar’s group of opposing the government and engaging in rebellious activities, including producing Molotov cocktails and using poisoned arrows.
• 😀 Despite efforts to negotiate with Anwar’s group, the situation escalated when military forces attempted to arrest Anwar, leading to a violent confrontation.
• 😀 The government imposed Pancasila as the sole state ideology in 1983, which fueled resistance from certain religious and ideological groups, including Anwar's followers.
• 😀 The violent events of Talangsari were part of a broader crackdown on groups opposing the government’s policies during President Soeharto’s regime.
• 😀 After the incident, many of Anwar’s followers were arrested and tried under subversion laws, though questions about the fairness of the trials and the legitimacy of the accusations lingered.
• 😀 Despite the deaths of many, including military personnel, Anwar’s group was labeled a security threat by the government, and their actions were seen as an attempt to overthrow the state.
• 😀 In 2019, a controversial peace declaration was made by the government, excluding the victims' families, which was criticized as an attempt to bypass the quest for justice.
• 😀 The families and survivors of the Talangsari incident continue to fight for justice, as the incident remains unresolved even after 36 years, with ongoing calls for accountability from military leaders involved.

Q & A

What event triggered the conflict in Talangsari, Lampung in February 1989?

The conflict began after reports from local officials about suspicious activities by a group led by Anwar (also known as Warsidi), who was holding religious meetings in the village of Talangsari. The situation escalated when military forces attempted to negotiate with him and his followers, leading to violence.

Who was Anwar, and why was his group targeted by the military and police?

Anwar (Warsidi) was the leader of a religious group in Talangsari. His group was targeted by the military and police because they were accused of opposing the government and Pancasila, the state ideology, and for allegedly preparing for violent resistance, including making Molotov cocktails and arrows.

What was the significance of the 'Asas Tunggal' policy enforced by President Soeharto in the 1980s?

The 'Asas Tunggal' policy required all political parties and organizations to adopt Pancasila as the sole ideology. This led to resistance from some religious and ideological groups, like Anwar's, which opposed this enforced ideology and resulted in violent clashes like the one in Talangsari.

What role did the military and police play in the Talangsari incident?

The military and police played an active role in attempting to suppress Anwar's group, which they viewed as a threat to national security. The authorities engaged in armed confrontations, including a raid on Anwar’s base, leading to numerous deaths and injuries on both sides.

What was the outcome of the violent clashes on February 7, 1989?

The military successfully overtook Anwar’s base, resulting in the deaths of 27 members of Anwar's group, including Anwar himself. Many others were either captured or killed, and the conflict led to widespread destruction in the area.

How did the government describe the Talangsari event in later years?

In later years, the government described the Talangsari event as a significant security threat involving an armed group, labeling it as a rebellion against the state. However, they also sought to resolve the case through non-judicial means, including a controversial 'peace declaration'.

What was the reaction of the victims and their families to the government's efforts to resolve the Talangsari case?

The victims and their families were dissatisfied with the government's non-judicial approach, particularly the 'peace declaration' held in 2019, which they felt ignored the real needs for justice and excluded their participation in the resolution process.

What did the Komnas HAM (National Commission on Human Rights) report about the Talangsari incident?

Komnas HAM classified the Talangsari incident as a serious violation of human rights, describing it as a systematic attack on civilians, which could be considered a crime against humanity under international law.

What has been the ongoing issue surrounding the Talangsari case after more than 30 years?

After more than 30 years, the Talangsari case remains unresolved, with many victims’ families still seeking justice. The Attorney General's office repeatedly returned investigation files due to lack of evidence, and no perpetrators have been held accountable for the events.

Why did the government and military continue to monitor groups like Anwar's in the 1980s?

In the 1980s, after the introduction of the 'Asas Tunggal' policy, the government and military were vigilant about any groups that opposed Pancasila or the state, especially those with perceived radical or subversive ideologies. The military's focus was to prevent the rise of any movements that could challenge the government's authority.