M. Rizal Maslan, Jakarta – Jakarta military commander Major General Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo is asking the public to be on guard against the reemergence of the communist movement. This can be seen from their activities that have become increasingly noticeable of late.

Purnomo cited activities such as the cultural exhibition at the Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center that was held by victims of the stigma against the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) on February 22 and the intellectual dissection of a historical book on the PKI affiliated Indonesian Peasants Front (BTI) and essays on the PKI by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, which he considers to be a form of consolidation by the party symbolised by a hammer and sickle.

This consolidation by the PKI said Purnomo, is in the framework of building a force to rehabilitate the reputation of the PKI as preparation for the 2009 general elections. Their target being for the PKI to reenter into the chessboard of Indonesian politics.

“If asked how strong is this reemergence, that can’t be answered because it is unaccountable and cannot be measured, because its target is people. Communism is an ideology who’s target is people”, he said prior to opening the 2006 Jakarta Military Command Leadership Meeting at the Jakarta military headquarters on Jl. Mayjen Sutoyo on Tuesday March 7.

It is because of this that he is appealing to all parties to be on guard against the possibility of the reemergence of communism that is growing in the intensity of its activities – both openly or secretly.

In addition to cultural exhibitions and the intellectual dissection of books, other indications of the PKI’s reemergence can also be seen from the many demonstrations being held by workers, farmers and student activists from left groups that in essence are calling for the repeal MPRS Decree 25/19661 on the dissolution of the PKI, the reactivation of communist organisations and dismantling of the territorial military commands.

“It’s things like this that we must be suspicious of and be concerned about where they are heading”, said Purnomo. Nevertheless, he believes that to date they still regard the demonstrations are being conducive and aimed at expressing a viewpoint. The public however, must still keep on guard.

Jakarta military command intelligence therefore is continuing to conduct surveillance on the activities of leftist groups. However the TNI (Indonesian military) no longer has the authority to act against them. “But this is a part of the having authority over the nation’s welfare, the TNI only provides backup data”, he said. (umi)

Notes:

1. Provisional People’s Consultative Assembly (MPRS) Decree Number XXV/1966 on the Dissolution of the Indonesian Communist Party and Prohibitions on Marxist, Leninist and Communist Teachings.

[Translated by James Balowski.]