Marzuki Surprised by Protests from Singapore over KRI Usman Harun
9 February 2014 20:28 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Depok - House of Representatives (DPR) speaker, Marzuki Alie, said he was surprised by Singapore's objection to use Usman-Harun as the name of offshore patrol vessels, KRI. He said the naming is Indonesia's rights that cannot be interfered by other countries. "What does it have to do with them (Singapore)? This is a domestic matter. Other countries do not have the right to be involved in domestic (Indonesia) matters," he said at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) earlier today.
Singapore had previously criticized the naming of KRI Usman-Harun. Their reason is because the two Indonesian marine officers were found guilty in the bombing incident at McDonald's building on Orchard Road on March 10, 1965, during the confrontation era of Indonesia-Malaysia. The bombing killed three people. Usman and Harun were executed in Singapore on October 17, 1968.
According to him, as a nation, Indonesia should learn and respect history. Usman and Harun, he said, died fighting for the country. As a result, they are considered heroes. "They died trying to enforce the country’s sovereignty; it was not for personal reason."
Regarding Singapore prohibiting the KRI to enter Singaporean waters or involved in Singapore-Indonesia programs, Marzuki is confident that eventually the country will relent. "I believe they will slowly let it go," he said. At the moment, he said, Singaporeans are still overwhelmed by the emotion from the past. "Let time goes by."
ILHAM TIRTA