KISAH TRAGIS PENCULIKAN PARA AKTIVIS 1998 - Menolak Lupa

Summary

This script recounts the tragic history of forced disappearances and human rights violations in Indonesia during the late 1990s, particularly under the regime of President Soeharto. It focuses on the abductions of activists and students between 1997-1998, involving military operations such as 'Tim Mawar,' which targeted individuals seen as threats to the regime. Key events like the 1996 'Kudatuli' riots and the 1998 economic crisis exacerbated the unrest, leading to widespread protests. Despite the official military trials, many perpetrators remained unpunished, and the fate of the missing remains unknown, highlighting the continued fight for justice and accountability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Umbrella Action (Aksi Kamisan) is a weekly protest held in front of the Indonesian Parliament and Istana Merdeka to demand justice for victims of human rights violations, including the 1997-1998 activist abductions.
• 😀 The 1997-1998 abductions involved the forced disappearance of 23 activists, with 13 still missing, including individuals like Soni Yani Afri, Petrus Bima Anugrah, and Wiji Tukul.
• 😀 The abductions occurred under the regime of President Soeharto and were part of a broader crackdown on activists and opposition groups amidst widespread public discontent due to corruption, nepotism, and an economic crisis.
• 😀 The Tim Mawar (Rose Team) was a special military unit formed to apprehend and abduct activists who were deemed radical or a threat to the regime, with some members linked to General Prabowo Subianto.
• 😀 In 1996, the PDI split into two factions, and tensions between Pro-Megawati and Pro-Suryadi groups led to the Kuda Tuli riots, which further escalated government crackdowns on activists.
• 😀 Following the Kuda Tuli riots, the government falsely accused opposition groups, including the PRD (People's Democratic Party) and activists, of being behind the unrest and labeled them as radical.
• 😀 Tim Mawar was created by the Indonesian military to target and abduct individuals believed to be involved in anti-government movements, including key activists involved in the 1998 reformasi (reformation) movement.
• 😀 Tim Mawar operated under the command of military officials, with specific targets including Desmon J Mahesa, Pius Lustri, Lanang Haranto, and others who were involved in protests against the regime.
• 😀 The activists who were captured were often subjected to brutal interrogation, torture, and were held in underground cells. Some were later released, while others remain missing or were reportedly killed.
• 😀 After Soeharto's resignation in May 1998, the case of the missing activists gained public attention, but justice was delayed. Several members of Tim Mawar were tried, but the true masterminds behind the abductions were never fully held accountable.

Q & A

What was the main focus of the protests described in the script?

The main focus of the protests was demanding justice for victims of human rights violations, particularly the forced disappearances of activists and students during the New Order regime in Indonesia.

What event triggered the formation of 'Tim Mawar' (Rose Team)?

The formation of 'Tim Mawar' was triggered by the July 27, 1996, riots, which involved members of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and led the New Order regime to target activists, especially those opposing the government.

What were the key human rights violations mentioned in the script?

The key human rights violations included the kidnapping and forced disappearances of activists and students, particularly in the period from 1997 to 1998, during the era of the New Order regime.

Who were some of the activists mentioned as victims of forced disappearance?

Some of the activists mentioned as victims of forced disappearance include Soni Yani Afri, Petrus Bima Anugrah, Suyat Hendra Hambali, Noval Alkatiri, Ucok Yadin, Muhidin, and Wiji Tukul, among others.

What was the role of 'Tim Mawar' (Rose Team)?

The 'Tim Mawar' (Rose Team) was a covert military unit formed to target, kidnap, and eliminate activists who were perceived as a threat to the New Order regime, specifically those involved in pro-democracy movements and opposition.

How did the New Order regime respond to the protests and activism during this period?

The New Order regime responded by launching violent crackdowns, including the formation of specialized units like 'Tim Mawar,' to suppress dissent and eliminate perceived threats through tactics like forced disappearances and intimidation.

What was the significance of the 'Kudatuli' incident mentioned in the script?

The 'Kudatuli' incident on July 27, 1996, was a violent clash between rival factions within the PDI. The government used this incident as a justification for targeting activists and framing them as instigators of rebellion, which led to the formation of 'Tim Mawar.'

What happened to Wiji Tukul, and why is he significant in the narrative?

Wiji Tukul, an activist and poet, became one of the prominent targets of the New Order regime due to his outspoken criticism through poetry. He disappeared after being targeted by 'Tim Mawar' and his fate remains unknown, making him a symbol of the struggle for justice.

What was the impact of the economic crisis in 1997-1998 on the political climate in Indonesia?

The 1997-1998 economic crisis led to a severe devaluation of the Indonesian rupiah, causing widespread discontent. This economic hardship fueled mass protests by activists and students demanding reforms and the resignation of President Soeharto, ultimately leading to his downfall in May 1998.

How did the legal system handle the perpetrators of forced disappearances?

Despite some members of 'Tim Mawar' being put on trial, many of the higher-level figures who orchestrated the kidnappings and disappearances were never held accountable. The military trials primarily targeted lower-ranking soldiers, with the true masterminds remaining unpunished.