Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – The People's Consultative Assembly on Wednesday announced plans to bring together descendants of those involved in the alleged Sept. 30, 1965, coup attempt, as well as former political prisoners detained in its wake.

The "National Gathering" is planned for Oct. 1 and is to be hosted by the assembly and the Children of the Nation Reconciliation Forum (FSAB). The FSAB promotes reconciliation among those affected by the 1965 tragedy and the anticommunist purges in the years after.

FSAB chairman Suryo Susilo said he hoped the event would promote reconciliation and reduce calls for legal settlements related to the supposed coup and its aftermath. "Indirectly, we are moving on with actual and factual cultural steps, rather than with a settlement through legal procedures," Suryo said.

More than half a million people died during the years of purges against communists and their sympathizers, who were accused by the authorities of having launched a coup that killed six military generals. Hundreds of thousands more were arbitrarily arrested and jailed for years.

"We'll show our commitment that we don't want to be enemies or be in conflict with one another again," said Amelia Yani, the daughter of former military chief Gen. Ahmad Yani, who was slain during the events of Sept. 30.

"What happened to our parents is now in the past. People shouldn't be suspicious of one another when dealing with the 1965 tragedy, because the descendants of the victims are now at peace."

The tragedy has for years stigmatized the families and descendants of communists and their sympathizers.