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Government slanders the KNPD

Source
National Committee for Democratic Struggle (KNPD) - January 1998

[The following is a translation of a press release sent to ASIET by the KNPD]

Conditions in Indonesia recently have become of ever more concern. The economic crisis which indicates Indonesia's fundamental economic weakness gets worse and worse. As a result the price of goods has jumped and the "little" people are the ones who must sholder all of this.

The government always considers the people stupid and that they understand nothing. The people's aspirations are never given any attention. As an example, the people's desire for a succession in the national leadership has not been positively responded to by the government. Meanwhile, the voices of criticism are frequently silenced, considered subversive and a disturbance to national security. Pro-democracy groups which want to struggle for human rights and the people's sovereignty are often accused of being behind disturbances or riots. The recent bomb explosion [on January 18 - JB] in an apartment in the Tanah Tinggi area, Central Jakarta is an example of the attitude of the government which is reactive and unwise in viewing problems, accusing the KNPD of being the masterminds behind the explosion.

Reflecting on the above, we, from KNPD Yogyakarta state:

  • That the KNPD is an organisation formed from the uniting of a number of youth organisations, pro-democracy groups along with individuals and sympathizers of the pro-Megawati Sukarnoputri Indonesian Democratic Party;
  • That the KNPD was not formed by the People's Democratic Party (PRD) and is not affiliated with the PRD;
  • That in carrying out it's struggle, the KNPD uses the principles of moral demands and peaceful actions without violence. Because of this we reject the accusation that we were the one's [behind] the bomb explosion at the apartment in the Tanah Tinggi area, Central Jakarta not long ago, and we state that we are not responsible for this explosion;
  • That the many recent riots are created by social unrest. Social unrest which happens because the voice and the interests of the people are never paid any attention, the tap of democracy is blocked, and there is no willingness from the government to accept constructive criticism from society. Because of this, we demand that the government quickly move to carry out political and economic reforms for the creation of the people's prosperity and sovereignty. We also demand that the government stops playing politics and scapegoating [others] in facing the problems of this country.
  • "In reality an ideal struggle is like the sun which gives light and benefits to all. But if it is difficult to create, we, the youth of this nation, are ready to become the candle!!!"

    Yogyakarta, January 25, 1998

    Gunardi Handoko, Chairperson
    Waldjijah, Secretary

    [Translated by James Balowski. The title of this press release was the translators choice.]

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