TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Association of Families of Missing Persons (Ikohi) in Sunday’s press conference declared that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had insulted the living relatives of victims who had disappeared under the hands of the “Tim Mawar” or the Rose Team, which is the defunct special forces of the Indonesian army.

“The presidential decree [kepres] No.166/2020 from President Joko Widodo has certainly come as an insult towards the victims’ families that have fought for their justice in the past 22 years,” said Ikohi secretary, Zaenal Muttaqin on September 27.

The presidential decree he refers to effectively appoints a number of echelon 1 state-officials in the Defense Ministry who were members of the defunct special forces. As of now, 23 people - mainly activists - remain to be missing along with additional 13 people.

Ikohi’s disappointment is also driven by the fact that many of Ikohi members have supported President Jokowi in his election process as president as they believed the president would listen to their aspirations and help solve the case that is considered as one of Indonesia’s bleakest history in terms of human rights violations.

“The latest decision is surely a hard slap in the face and adds to the injuries of the victims’ families,” he asserted.

Read also: Amnesty International Slams Decision to Appoint Former 'Tim Mawar' Into Govt

EGI ADYATAMA