inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The 1998 activist Masinton Pasaribu considered the writing of a new version of Indonesian history as a momentum for national reconciliation so that no history should be omitted.
"Yes, nothing should be omitted, in fact the history must be straightened out. The writing of history, the straightening out of history is also part of our momentum to reconcile this nation," said Masinton.
He conveyed this after attending the Cross-Generation Activist Discussion event Commemorating the 1998 Reformation with the theme "From Political Democracy to Economic Democracy Transformation" in Jakarta, Wednesday.
Because, according to him, history tends to have high subjectivity because it is written from the perspective of the victorious party.
For that reason, he viewed that the writing of the new version of Indonesian history should actually be intended to straighten out the history that exists in the country.
"For example, there are many things, starting from the events (in) '48, the events of '66, '67, and several other events that we think we should put in the correct historical framework," he said.
He then said, "That's what we mean by straightening out history, so that rewriting history and straightening out history is part of reconciling the history of our nation."
Regarding the polemic that emerged over the plan to grant the title of national hero to the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto, he asked that the plan not be continued.
"So when the polemic arose over the granting of the title, in my opinion, it should not be in the first place, that's it," he said.
He asked the 1998 activists to reflect on the plan to grant the title of hero, reflecting on the actions demanding reform that were carried out precisely to overthrow the New Order regime led by Soeharto.
"If Harto was given the title of hero, then what does this mean for those who fought for the reform movement activists at that time, will they be treated as traitors?" said the Regent of Central Tapanuli.
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