"It is time for us to rewrite Indonesia's historical narratives, translating them into more than just records, but into a platform for fostering a generation that recognizes who they are and where their nation is heading," he noted in an official statement cited here on Sunday.
He made the remarks during a seminar organized by the Association of History Majors of Indonesia (P3SI) at the State University of Jakarta. The event carried the theme "Writing History, Developing the Nation: Strengthening the Role of History Education in Schools."
"This theme is timely, important, and relevant to current hot topics of discussion. History is a crucial factor in national development," Zon emphasized.
The minister underlined that the government's history-rewriting initiative is grounded in the urgent need to update national narratives by incorporating key events and developments that unfolded in the Reform Era.
He pointed out that the book Sejarah Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian National History) was relatively outdated, as it was written in the 1970s.
Meanwhile, Indonesia dalam Arus Sejarah (lit. Indonesia in the Flow of History), issued in 2012, does not comprehensively cover the social and political dynamics between the BJ Habibie and Joko Widodo administrations, he added.
Zon also stressed the importance of using a more Indonesia-centric perspective in understanding the nation's history.
As an instance, he highlighted that while the Netherlands refers to its military operations in Indonesia during the late 1940s as politionele acties (police actions), Indonesia views them as acts of aggression and threats to its independence struggle.
Bearing this in mind, Zon noted that rewriting history should go beyond merely recording events—it should also help build a stronger national identity.
He asserted that Indonesians must reinvent their identity by promoting historical narratives rooted in their own experiences and character.
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Translator: Chairul R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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