TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Cleric Ahmad Syafii Maarif (Buya Syafii), former chair of Muslim organization Muhammadiyah said that he doesn’t believe in the communist party (PKI) revival. He reasoned that the party is now banned under the Constitution and communism is no longer attractive in the modern era. He, however, said that debates on the issue will continue.
Buya Syafii said that the disbandment of a seminar on the 1965 tragedy at LBH Jakarta office on Saturday was part of the controversy.
“As long as the masterminds don’t get caught, the controversy will continue. I don’t believe in the PKI revival,” Buya Syafii said yesterday at Nogotirto Mosque in Sleman.
He noticed that the accusation of PKI revival typically arises in the month of September ahead of the commemoration of the killings of seven military generals, known as the Heroes of the Revolution, on September 30, 1965. He said that certain individuals often take advantage of the issues for political gains.
“Some could take advantage of it, but the rumors are false…” Buya Syafii said. He added that mass organizations that attacked the YLBHI office are private police. “They are afraid of the PKI revival. They might be hijacked by politicians to launch the attack, assault.”
PITO AGUSTIN RUDIANA
