Evi Mariani, Jakarta – Six middle-aged women stood on a stage while dozens watched them take turns in reciting a poem about their family members who died in riots a decade ago.

"Out of curiosity, my boy left our house to watch the rampage near Klender Plaza. He never returned," a woman said.

"My grandmother went out to find her children and grandchildren. She went and never returned," another said.

"My husband, he was a hero to me. He went to look for my boy. He never came back."

"My family was often mocked and called looters, thus their deaths were deemed justifiable. But I know better," another recited.

The six women were among the families and friends of the May 1998 riot victims. They gathered Tuesday at the German cultural center, Goethe Haus, in Central Jakarta.

The event, which finishes today, was organized by several NGOs, such as Solidarity of the Nation, to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the riots. The organizers have held a discussion each day of the event, as well as a documentary screening and an photo exhibition of the riots.

The Tuesday discussion featured speakers like columnist Mudji Sutrisno, artist Emha Ainun Najib, Buddhist monk Nyana Daya and National Commission for Women member Kamala Candra Kirana.

During the event, Roeminah, a mother of a boy who went missing during the riots, said at a discussion she was still waiting for the government to uphold justice on the case.

A National Commission for Human Rights' report said from May 12 to 25, 1998, there was a total of 1,188 people killed in the riots and over 5,000 buildings burned, damaged or looted.

Up until now, no one has been tried over the riots. "The government may forget about us, but we will never forget," Roeminah said.

As part of the commemoration, plans for a memorial house for the May riots were presented. Architect Yori Antar and his assistant, Noviardi Prasetya, designed the house, called Rumah Kenangan (Memory House).

Roeminah said she wanted the house to be built because it would help her, and other mothers, cope with their sorrow after the loss of their children.

Emha said the house should bear a name that would reflect the future, not the past. "It should serve as a reminder that we can be better in the future," he said.

Mudji shared Emha's opinion, saying the house should serve to challenge Indonesians to develop. "The house would be built upon sorrow about the past. But what's next? Can we grow? I'm sure we can," he said.

In his slide presentation on the house design, architect Noviardi explained it would have exhibition panels to display pictures and stories of the riots and the victims. It would also have an audio visual room, a library and a cafeteria.

"It will need a 1,000-square meter block of land. The two-story building will measure 600 square meters," Noviardi said. "We're still looking for a location and funding," he added.