Melly Febrida, Jakarta – The distribution of 2004 curriculum history books for junior and senior high schools have been banned and the Attorney General hopes that the recall of these books will be completed by this year.

This was conveyed by Deputy Attorney General Muchtar Arifin at the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on Jl. Sultan Hassanudin in South Jakarta on Monday May 21. “The Attorney General has instructed them to be recalled. And local officials from the AGO have already done this. It is hoped that they will be cleared soon”, said Arifin.

According to Arifin, up until now the process of recalling the books has proceeded in accordance with existing regulations. “Basically everything has proceeded in accordance with the rules”, he added.

A study of the history books was conducted based upon a request by the National Education Minister Bambang Soedibyo. The study was conducted because the books did not contain historical facts such as the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) rebellion in Madiun in 1948 and references to the September 30, 1965 rebellion that did not mention the work PKI.

The prohibition on the distribution of these books was made several months ago on the orders of the Attorney General at the time, Abdul Rahman Saleh. The recall of the books was carried out over concern that they would cause public unease. (nvt/umi)

[Translated by James Balowski.]