TEMPO.CO, Bekasi - Presidential candidate Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo said he was committed to handle the case of kidnapped activists in 1998. The tragedy must be investigated so it could bring justice for the victims, said Jokowi. "The case should be solved. That is my commitment," he said, Friday.
The kidnapping case took place during the New Order’s leadership transition. Dozens of activists were declared missing. There were some who were kidnapped and tortured before they were let go. Today, a number of them had declared their support for Joko Widodo.
The former 1998 activist who had become a kidnapping victim, RWJ, said he and a number of people were poisoned in an airless room. "Like in an underground room," he uttered, adding he was constantly tortured during his imprisonment. "If I’m not mistaken, I was imprisoned for seven days.
Up until now, 13 people are still missing, including Wiji Tukul, Herman Hendrawan, and Suyat.
According to Jokowi, the case of the human rights violation must not be neglected. "This should be solved," he said. "It is not just a promise. That is my commitment."
RIKY FERDIANTO
