Jakarta - The links between Pramoedya Ananta Toer and the People's Democratic Party (PRD) go back some time, starting in 1996. This matter was raised by the PRD's representative in the General Election Committee (KPU), Hendri Kuok, in a special interview with Detikcom at the KPU offices on Wednesday, March 17.
Hendri is one of the members of the KPU who are considered controversial, he is the only KPU member who did not attend the first plenary KPU meeting. Hendri also refused to take an oath by President Habibie. In the end Hendri made an agreement before the head of the KPU along with the representative of the Indonesian Democratic Alliance Party (Partai Aliansi Demokrasi Indonesia, PADI), Bambang Sulistomo.
Hendri's appearance is far from being ferocious, instead he exudes an impression of calm and authority. He is different from his colleges, the other KPU members who always wear formal clothing. Hendri is always seen wearing jeans.
Although members of the Team of 12 who's members are made of parties which have passed the verification process always insult the PRD, Hendri continues to defend them. "We must defend their political rights", says Hendri. But Hendri is extremely critical of the acts of intimidation by the Team of 12 against the representative of the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika party.
Hendri does not object to the PRD being referred to as a "left" party. "In its essence [the state ideology] Pancasila is 'left' and the Republic [of Indonesia] was built by left people", responds Hendri calmly.
The following are excerpts from a conversation with Hendri with Sigit Widodo from Detikcom.
Detikcom: How did Pramoedya link up with the PRD in the beginning?
Hendri: That began in 1996. Early on he said that if he was still young he would like to become a PRD member, that was in 1996. Then at the end of 1998 he made a statement saying that if he was accepted, he wanted to become a member. At that time we were very busy with all kinds of things, so we were not able to process the request, only now are we processing our new members.
Detikcom: So Pram will be inaugurated [as a PRD member] next Sunday, March 21?
Hendri: That's the plan.
Detikcom: And on that day there will also be a relaunch of the PRD?
Hendri: Actually it is not a relaunch. It is more like a launch of the PRD's program for the elections. And there will be other things on the agenda such as the launch of a team for the 1999 elections, an introduction to the Central Leadership Committee of the PRD (KPP-PRD) and the inauguration of a number of new members, such as Pramoedya Ananta Toer and Dr. Dede Utomo from the Airlangga University in Surabaya.
Detikcom: With Pram entering the party, isn't the PRD afraid of being labeled as being "left" again?
Hendri: We have never been afraid of this. From the beginning we have been labeled as being "left". I don't think this is a problem because all of those forces fighting against oppression and arbitrary abuse of power are actually left groups. In its essence Pancasila is "left" and this republic was build by left people. So I don't think there is a problem.
Detikcom: So the PRD says it is a "left" party?
Hendri: Now that depends on how the term "left" is used. Historically it arose from parties of the opposition forces in France who sat on the left side of the parliament. They consistently fought the conservative parties who were in power, that's why they were referred to as left groups. So using the term like that is okay. But it does not mean that "left" should always be identified with communist forces. Because reactionary communist forces are clearly to the right, not the left. So [in that context], certainly we are "left".
Detikcom: So what is the definition of "left" in the PRD's view?
Hendri: It's as I said earlier. It is all of those forces who are defending the oppressed classes and fighting arbitrary abuse of power and defending minority groups. Those are "left" groups.
Detikcom: What is your opinion of the Team of 12?
Hendri: We need to defend the political rights of the 12 parties. This issue has already been put on the agenda. Possibly it will be decided to invite a representative of the Department of Home Affairs to discuss the matter. We will ask them what their decision is, I say that the department will wash its hands of the matter, because they are involved in the verification process and the like.
Detikcom: What about the racial intimidation by the Team of 12 against the representative against the representative of the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Party?
Hendri: If it is an issue of intimidation it is not right to do such a thing. I don't know exactly, I did not see it happen yesterday (March 16). But intimidation like that is an incorrect thing to do. But we need to defend the political rights of those 12 parties, which is a separate issue from intimidation or other emotional acts. With regard to racism, that is something that we must oppose. It is something which is incorrect for them to do in a democratic forum such as this. That is another problem again, but we need to defend their political rights. But certainly we will be critical of actions which smack of racism, which is extremely undemocratic.
[Translated by James Balowski]