“The survivors have borne the burden in silence for too long. This denial is not only painful but also perpetuates impunity,” Commissioner Dahlia Madanih said on Sunday.
Komnas Perempuan highlighted findings from the government-sanctioned fact-finding team investigating the 1998 riots, which led to the fall of Suharto’s New Order regime. The report documented 85 cases of sexual violence, including 52 rapes.
Madanih noted that then-President B. J. Habibie received the report and publicly expressed regret over the violence. He later authorized the formation of Komnas Perempuan to address violence against women.
The commission emphasized that the report was an official state document, and denying its contents undermines years of advocacy and recovery efforts.
“Denying the official findings of the fact-finding team is denying the collective work of this nation in the pursuit of justice,” Madanih said.
In a media interview published on June 10, Minister Zon denied the occurrence of mass rapes during the 1998 riots, calling them mere “rumors.”
He claimed that he had reviewed the report and found the allegations “unproven.”
Zon made the remarks while discussing the government’s plan to revise Indonesia’s official historical narrative. He said the revision aims to highlight positive aspects of national history and avoid blaming any party.
“Our intention is to create an official history that unites national truth. Why should we write history that divides the nation?” he said.
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Translator: Anita Permata D, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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