Wicak Hidayat, Jakarta – The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), an organisation banned in Indonesia, has again resurfaced. This time on Facebook.
brought back to life on Facebook, the most popular social networking website in Indonesia. This was what Detik.com found on Saturday January 9 after receiving information from readers.
The PKI on Facebook refer to themselves as the 2010 Indonesian Communist Party (PKI 2010). Presumably this name seeks to indicate that party with a communist ideology in Indonesia has resurfaced in 2010. Below is information on the PKI 2010 carried on the website.
The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) is a political party in Indonesia with a communist ideology. During its history, we, the PKI, endeavored to organise a rebellion against the Dutch colonial government in 1926, masterminded the PKI rebellion in Madiun in 1948 and were stigmatised by the New Order regime for masterminding the G30S (30 September Movement) affair in 1965.
The accusations that the PKI masterminded the 1965 rebellion however have never been fully confirmed by the evidence, and it is all simply an accusation that the rebellion was masterminded by the PKI. In fact we have provided other evidence that the PKI in 1965 was not involved, rather it was masterminded by Suharto (and the CIA).
And now in 2010 we have resurfaced to set history straight.
Long Live the People (Hidoep Rakjat!)
It is unclear whether or not the PKI 2010 Fan Page on Facebook is indeed serious or just in fun. The discussion that has appeared on the page is also marked by arguments between fellow visitors. (Detik.com, 9/1/2010)
Communism could flourish in Indonesia
Ramadhian Fadillah, Jakarta – The PKI support group that has emerged on the Facebook social networking site may not just be for fun, because communist ideology has never died.
“Actually communist ideology has a very strong hold. It is not made obsolete by time. Communism finds fertile ground among the poor,” said University of Indonesian political observer and sociologist Musni Umar when contacted by Detik.com on Saturday January 9.
Umar explained that it is quit possible that it no longer uses the name PKI or caries the embellishments of the communist name, but the movement is still the same as the communist party. “It could be another party or movement, but it character is still radical like communism. Anti-bourgeoisie and other communist characteristics,” explained Umar.
According to Umar, as long as there is a high level of inequality between the rich and poor, such as in Indonesia, communist ideology will have a chance to grow and develop. Never mind that Indonesia will soon enter into an era of free trade. “This will make it even more difficult for the little people. Admittedly communism only offers the promise of heaven, but the little people will feel they have a source of hope,” he explained
The way to combat communism, according to Umar, is to increase social welfare. He appealed to government officials not to flaunt their wealth and offend the ordinary people. “Government officials must live simply,” he explained. (Detik.com, 9/1/2010)
Justice Minister refuses to comment
Anwar Hidayat, Bogor – The emergence of the PKI account on the Facebook social networking site has attracted controversy. Justice and Human Rights Minister (Menkumham) Patrialis Akbar has said he is afraid to comment at length and they are still studying the matter.
“Regarding the FB PKI account, we are still studying it. (I’m) afraid to comment, [in case I get accused] of being wrong later,” said Patrialis during a visit to the Paledang Correctional Institution in Bogor on Sunday January 10.
Patrialis added that his fear was similar to that surrounding the launch of the book Unmasking the Cikeas Octopus: Behind the Bank Century Scandal. “Like before with the book launch, we made a comment, then it was said that the Menkumham had banned the book”, he said.
The motivations of the fans supporting the PKI on Facebook meanwhile appear to vary. There are some who are serious and others who are just having fun. (Detik.com, 10/1/2010)
PKI Facebook site will die off by itself
Amanda Ferdina, Jakarta – The PKI 2010 group of supporters on the Facebook social network will not flourish and will be shunned by the public.
“I’m sure that although there are people who are promoting it, it will die off of its own accord,” said House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung at the DPR in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday January 11.
Anung is convinced that groups that support communism will not flourish in Indonesia because communistm has no place in a society that has an understanding of nationalism and [the state ideology of] Pancasila. “This nation is already quite mature. There will be censorship from society itself,” said Anung.
The 2010 PKI group has quite a large number of followers with a membership of around 1,200 people. The group aims to discuss communist ideas, but there are also some who are just having fun. (Detik.com, 11/1/2010)
[Translated by James Balowski from four reports on the Detik.com news portal between January 9 and 11.]
