Indonesia Delays Controversial History Textbook Project Until November

The Indonesian government has announced a postponement of its contentious national history book project, shifting the release date from August 17 to November 10, 2023. This delay coincides with the nation’s National Heroes Day, which commemorates the Battle of Surabaya in 1945. The project aims to produce a ten-volume series meant to serve as a primary historical reference for students across all levels of education.

Culture Minister Fadli Zon confirmed the new timeline, stating that the additional time would allow for further refinement of the drafts. Initially set to launch on Indonesia’s Independence Day, the minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the content. “Our plan is to still launch the book this year… because this is part of a series of events to celebrate 80 years of Indonesian independence,” he stated, as reported by Jakarta Post.

Critics of the project have intensified their calls to abandon the initiative altogether. Historians and human rights activists argue that the rewrites sanitize the nation’s past and fail to address significant human rights violations. The project has faced scrutiny for its omission of critical events, particularly those surrounding the 1998 riots, which resulted in mass violence and abuses against various communities.

Fadli, representing President Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party, has indicated that public discussions surrounding the history rewrite are ongoing. These forums have been held at four universities across Indonesia, with participation from various historians and history enthusiasts. According to Fadli, these discussions have generated valuable input, which will contribute to the final drafts of the textbooks.

The Culture Ministry’s director general for the protection of culture and tradition, Restu Gunawan, mentioned that the books are currently undergoing editing by volume editors. He expressed hope that public feedback from the discussions would address any remaining gaps in the text. Fadli has asserted that the project is essential to ensure that Indonesian youth are well-versed in their own history, rather than relying on narratives from other countries.

Despite these assurances, opposition to the project remains strong. Puan Maharani, Speaker of the House of Representatives and daughter of former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, voiced concerns about the project being rushed. “Don’t be hasty, let’s re-examine the historical facts,” she stated during a parliamentary session. Critics argue that the government’s approach to history could distort or overlook important truths.

The ten-volume series is intended to encompass historical events from early civilizations in the archipelago up to the end of former President Joko Widodo’s second term in October 2022. Activists have raised alarms about the potential for whitewashing sensitive topics, including the sexual violence that occurred during the 1998 riots.

Dimas Bagus Arya, coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence in Indonesia, reiterated the position against the project, describing it as an effort to manipulate historical narratives. “We stand by our initial stance to reject the project, not just because of its lack of transparency but also for its attempt to manipulate history,” he stated.

The Indonesian Historical Transparency Alliance, represented by human rights advocate Marzuki Darusman, has also called for the cancellation of the project. He remarked that the government’s intention to “set history straight” aligns more with its agenda than with an objective recounting of past events. The alliance, comprising numerous activists and historians, views the project as an opportunity for the government to impose its version of history rather than addressing historical injustices.

Concerns have been raised regarding the draft outline of the rewrite, which reportedly included only two out of the seventeen cases of gross human rights violations recognized by the National Commission on Human Rights. Notably, incidents involving Prabowo Subianto, who has faced allegations related to the abduction and disappearance of activists during the late 1990s, were among those omitted from the draft.

As the Indonesian government moves forward with its history textbook project, the balance between preserving national pride and confronting uncomfortable truths remains a contentious issue. The upcoming public discussions and the additional time for editing may not quell the criticisms, as activists and historians continue to press for transparency and accountability in how the nation’s history is portrayed.