Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said the government would not apologize to the now defunct Indonesian Communist Party, or PKI, saying one of Indonesian history's darkest moments will not be revisited.

Jokowi said his government will focus on the future by developing the nation to gain competitiveness with other countries, not looking back on the country's past.

"I said last year [there would be no apology], but then there was gossip. I firmly say there are no plans or thoughts to apologize to the the PKI," Jokowi said at a fast breaking event at the Indonesian Military (TNI) headquarters in Cilangkap, East Java, on Monday (27/06).

The president – accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah Kalla – said he was annoyed to hear rumors reemerge about the party.

"I have said this for many times. Including [speeches] to Muhammadiyah and PBNU [Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations]. But there are still those making up issues. Do not listen [to them], nobody will apologize to PKI," he said.

Jokowi assured that despite the dark history, the government is aiming for future progress. "What is important is to step forward. I am focusing on bringing a better future and prevent such incidents from reoccurring," he said.

A two-day symposium bringing together government representatives and human rights activists in April failed to reach an understanding of the 1965-1966 massacres.

Also attending in the event are former Vice President Try Soetrisno, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hazan, House speaker Ade Komarudin, Regional Representatives speaker Irman Gusman, Supreme Court chairman Hatta Ali and Chief Security Minister Luhut Panjaitan.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/jokowi-rules-apology-defunct-communist-party-1965/