Eps 273 | KENAPA KITA TAKUT PADA KOMUNIS ?

Summary

In this thought-provoking video, the speaker challenges deeply held beliefs about communism (specifically PKI) and its history in Indonesia. He explains how fear of communism has been shaped by doctrines, not by knowledge, and how these fears have led to tragic events, including mass killings. The speaker discusses the influence of PKI in Indonesia's political landscape, its impact on various societal groups, and the role of external forces in shaping these narratives. He calls for a more balanced and informed perspective, urging viewers to question historical doctrines and approach political ideologies with objectivity and critical thinking.

Takeaways

• 😀 The script explores the idea that much of what we understand about history, including fear of communism, is influenced by ideological doctrines and is not always based on factual evidence.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that historical narratives often contain elements of falsehoods or propaganda, designed to maintain peace or stability in the present.
• 😀 The comparison is made to a relationship where harmony is maintained by hiding uncomfortable truths, such as infidelity, to avoid disrupting the peace.
• 😀 The script addresses the false fear and demonization of communism (PKI) in Indonesia, arguing that much of this fear is driven by doctrinal influence rather than genuine historical understanding.
• 😀 The PKI was a major political force in Indonesia in 1955, securing significant seats in the parliament despite being decimated seven years earlier in 1948.
• 😀 The PKI was able to garner substantial support due to its non-corrupt nature, organizational strength, and support from various social sectors, including workers, farmers, and women.
• 😀 PKI's major adversaries included the Indonesian military, Western countries, and religious groups, all of which had different reasons to oppose communism in Indonesia.
• 😀 The military's hatred for PKI stemmed from its internationalist ideology, which was seen as a threat to Indonesia’s sovereignty and national identity.
• 😀 Western powers, particularly the U.S. and the UK, viewed communism as a global threat and sought to prevent its spread, including in Indonesia, due to the broader context of the Cold War.
• 😀 Religious groups, particularly Islamists, opposed the PKI due to its secularism and perceived attacks on religious identity, even though PKI itself did not actively persecute religion.
• 😀 The G30S incident is used as an example of how political narratives can be manipulated to create a unified front against perceived threats, often resulting in significant injustice, as many innocents were killed based on false accusations of being PKI members.
• 😀 The speaker urges viewers to adopt a more balanced, proportional perspective when analyzing ideologies and historical events, rather than relying on one-sided narratives shaped by fear and prejudice.

Q & A

What is the central theme discussed in the transcript?

The central theme is the impact of historical narratives and how they shape perceptions of communism and the PKI (Indonesian Communist Party), with a focus on how fear of communism has been perpetuated through doctrinal means rather than based on actual knowledge.

Why does the speaker claim that historical understanding can often be flawed or manipulated?

The speaker argues that much of what people understand about their history, including the fear of communism, is often based on hoaxes or doctored narratives designed to maintain social harmony or political stability, rather than on factual evidence.

How does the speaker compare the creation of historical narratives to personal relationships?

The speaker compares historical manipulation to a scenario where a partner in a marriage hides infidelity to maintain peace, suggesting that lies or omissions are sometimes necessary for maintaining the current order or peace.

What role did the PKI play in Indonesia's 1955 election?

In the 1955 elections, the PKI was the fourth largest party, despite having been severely weakened just seven years earlier after a failed rebellion. The PKI’s significant success in the elections demonstrated its strong organization and appeal.

What were the factors contributing to PKI's strong position in Indonesian politics in the mid-1950s?

PKI's success was driven by its solid organizational structure, lack of corruption, strong grassroots support, and their initiatives to support the people, such as land redistribution, welfare programs, and labor rights advocacy.

What were the main groups that opposed the PKI, and why?

The three main groups opposed to PKI were the Indonesian military (which feared communism’s international links), Western countries (particularly the US and the UK, due to the Cold War), and Islamic groups (who feared the PKI’s anti-religious rhetoric and actions).

What was the relationship between the military and the PKI during this period?

The military viewed the PKI as a threat because they believed PKI’s internationalist ideology would undermine Indonesia’s sovereignty and align the country with the Soviet Union. They also resented the PKI's access to weapons, which they feared would be used against the state.

How does the speaker describe the role of Islamic groups in the conflict with the PKI?

The speaker notes that while Islamic groups in Indonesia typically coexisted peacefully with other social groups, PKI’s provocative actions against religion, such as mocking religious symbols, caused tensions, leading to strong opposition from religious communities.

What event does the speaker reference as an example of the intensity of anti-PKI sentiment?

The speaker references the G30S/PKI incident, which was widely blamed on the PKI, and how this narrative has persisted in Indonesian history. The event involved military and Islamic groups uniting against the PKI, leading to widespread violence and repression.

What is the speaker’s stance on the demonization of the PKI and communism in Indonesian history?

The speaker suggests that much of the hatred towards the PKI and communism is based on doctrinal fear rather than objective understanding. They advocate for a more balanced, proportionate, and fact-based view of the past, recognizing both the positive and negative aspects of communism.