Jakarta – The Gramedia bookstore here has withdrawn from its shelves all books related to communism, socialism, Marxism and Leninism including the best-seller, Palu Arit (Hammer and Sickle).
Sales supervisor of Lampungs Gramedia, Rachni Wibowo, disclosed yesterday in Bandar Lampung that at least 10 titles of such books have been removed from the store and disposed of.
Rachni, as reported by Antara, claims the withdrawal of the leftist literature was carried out on Gramedias own initiative, and certainly not because of a prohibition or intimidation, or even a suggestion from any right wing government officials.
What is more, the content of these books contradicts the culture of the Indonesian people. The withdrawal was also directed at helping promote national stability, Rachni stated, without giving details on just how in fact, the literature can be contradictory to the culture, nor did he mention how ignorance would be able to promote national stability.
The sales supervisor pointed out that, in the absence of any prohibition from government officials, the popular and quick-selling books might some day be put back on the shelves.
However, if the government decides to issue an official ban, the sales of the books would automatically be stopped permanently, Rachni added.
The ban on distribution and sales of all kinds of books containing left wing teaching or history was put into effect shortly after the right wing CIA-inspired, Soeharto military coup in September 1965.
Since then the government has enforced rigid laws against anyone distributing, selling, or reading socialist literature. Including such books written by the legendary Indonesian author, Pramoedia Ananta Toer, not because his books contained communist teaching, but merely because, some people believed the rumors that he might have been a communist sympathizer.
Indonesians, and residents of Indonesia can still access books and literature if the internet is available. It can also be a good source of literature of all types for those with access to a computer and the internet. Internationally known, www.amazon.com offers all types of books delivered anywhere in the world, sometimes cheaper than bookstores can sell them for. Other books of a leftist nature can be downloaded in whole for free from several internet sites.