TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has yet to make any decision on the resolution of the 1965 tragedy. The presidential advisory council (Wantimpres) member Sidarto Danusubroto said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is still mulling over several recommendations, some of which are conflicting. “The government is still preoccupied with its programs. It is not yet the right time,” Sidarto said after meeting the victims of 1965 tragedy at his office.

The resolution of the 1965 tragedy has been challenging. The case dossier keeps going back and forth between the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) due to the lack of completeness. In addition, people are holding differing views on the resolution method, ranging from reconciliation to apology to pro-justitia inquiry.

In a bid to find a solution, the government held a symposium on the 1965 tragedy in April at Arya Duta Hotel, Jakarta. According to Sidarto, who was an advisor in the symposioum, recommendations have been submitted to the President. However, he said Jokowi has not made any response.

Sidarto said the efforts to resolve the 1965 case will only be resumed after President Jokowi concluded his priority policies. President Joko Widodo’s current priority are economic issues, which are evident in the issuance of tax amnesty regulation and 13 economic policy packages. “The President will make a response. The human rights are part of Nawa Cita [the President’s Nine Priorities],” Sidarto said.

The coordinator of the Foundation for the Research of the 1965-1966 Massacre (YKPK) Untung Bedjo has expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in the resolution of the issue. “We have been waiting for too long, it’s been 51 years,” he said.

Untung said Jokowi should immediately follow up the recommendations. More so because the verdict of the International People’s Tribunal 1965 has shown that there were gross human rights volations in the 1965 events, such as genocide and abductions. “We want the recommendation to be followed up, [for the government] to apologise to all the victims,” he said.

KORAN TEMPO