Rafiqa Qurrata A, Jakarta – The central leadership board of the National Liberation Party of Unity suspects there is a political plot to destroy them. This is taking a number forms such as terror and intimidation.

This was conveyed by the head of Papernas’s department of political and democratic affairs, Dominggus Oktavianus, following a press conference that was held at Papernas’s offices on Jl. Tebet Dalam in South Jakarta on Sunday May 20.

“It has turned up in leaflets, SMSs and books that are circulating to abolish Papernas’s existence”, said Oktavianus.

According to Oktavianus, the repression that Papernas has experienced originates from both civil groups as well as the state apparatus, and has been systematic and intense. “So then we are wandering, is this a democratic country?”, said Oktavianus.

Oktavianus explained that Papernas is actually used to coming under pressure. A number of activists in the party were abducted and jailed under the New Order regime of former President Suharto. “But this is a different situation, they say that this is an era of democracy. But still there is discrimination. Why is this?”, he asked. (mly/djo)

[Translated by James Balowski.]