Telling it like is, still a problem in Indonesia

Former Indonesian dictator Suharto came to power in 1965. The former general had colleagues executed, claiming they were Communist sympathisers. During his 30 year rule on Indonesia, Suharto had school text books reflect his view of history, of how his leadership protected the ocutnry agianst those evil Communist plotters. New versions of history are appearing, but those who dare to print new history books can be in hot water.

Several historians have been questioned by Indonesian prosecutors over revised versions of how things happened bak in 1965 an since. Its true that history is written by the victors, and heroes would otherwise be war criminals, given a different result. Talking with Ika about Suharto, she like many people, thinks he is great, father of the nation. I asked what she thought abut the few hundred thousand, who were murdered under his rule, and she asked how I knew that was true. When I said that many people overseas, knew the correct version of Indonesian history, she asked how I knew they weren’t lying. Fair question indeed.

I guess you believe what you want, and interpret events how they best suit you. For many Indonesians, killing 500,000 ‘Communists’ helped protect the nation. For many westerners, nuking Japanese civilians helped stop a war. You can find examples of outragious behaviour being sold as something good, all over the place. Its your call how you want to label it.