Markus Junianto, Rangga Prakoso & Viriya Paramita – Human rights activists on Wednesday lambasted remarks made by House of Representatives deputy speaker Priyo Budi Santoso, who said Indonesia must stop investigating past human rights violations.

The remarks came after a landmark ruling from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on Monday confirming that there were serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity in the communist purge which followed the failed 1965 coup.

More than 500,000 people died in the purge targeting the suspected members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). The purge eventually paved the way for Maj. Gen. Suharto to become president for more than 30 years.

Komnas HAM asked the Attorney General's Office to open a criminal investigation into the purge but Priyo, from the same Golkar Party that the former president used as a political vehicle, said "opening old history would not solve anything."

Priyo urged Komnas HAM to investigate cases after the reform movement which followed Suharto's 1998 downfall.

Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation chairman Alvon Kurnia Palmasaid said Priyo was trying to protect Suharto and his cronies. "[Priyo's statement] will only create impunity for human rights violators," Alvons said.

The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) also condemned Priyo's remarks. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says the government is committed to resolving past human rights violations.