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Indonesia's government, led by President Prabowo Subianto, is preparing a sweeping “official history” to coincide with the nation’s 80th Independence Day on 17 August.
Culture Minister Fadli Zon described the project as an “updated version” of Indonesia’s national narrative. He argues that it’s needed to incorporate recent archaeological discoveries—like 51,000‑year‑old cave paintings in Sulawesi—and to correct lingering colonial-era misconceptions, such as the belief that Dutch rule uniformly spanned 350 years.
However, scholars and human rights activists are raising concerns that the draft omits critical and painful chapters from Indonesia’s modern history. They have criticised it as a form of state-controlled historical narrative akin to the authoritarian Suharto era. Suharto's “New Order” regime had previously mandated a single, officially sanctioned history taught in schools—now perceived as propaganda-leaning and selective.
Notably, the government’s draft reportedly excludes the anti-Chinese riots of 1998, brutal crackdowns on anti-Suharto protests, the financial crisis of 1997, the violent massacres of suspected communists in 1965–66, and human rights abuses linked to Prabowo himself.
These omissions concern senior historian Asvi Warman Adam, who called it “historical manipulation,” driven by political advantage.
Former attorney-general Marzuki Darusman has gone so far as to label the project “authoritarian,” warning that government control over national memory could set a dangerous precedent. He and other academics argue that allowing a government institution to define a single, authoritative historical narrative threatens democratic discourse and transparency.
Opposition MP and historian Bonnie Triyana has publicly criticised the initiative’s top-down approach and called for broader consultation. She believes that a national history project of this scale must include perspectives from independent historians, civil society, and the public—particularly from communities historically marginalised or affected by violence.
While the government insists that the upcoming 10-volume series will be accurate and not politically motivated, trust is low. Fadli Zon, who is overseeing the project, has previously written a glowing biography of Prabowo and advocated for Suharto to be named a national hero—further fuelling concerns about bias.
Though officials claim Prabowo and Zon will not directly influence editorial decisions, critics fear the outcome will be a whitewashed, overly nationalistic portrayal of Indonesia’s past.
The controversy speaks to a deeper struggle within Indonesia over how history should be remembered—and by whom. For many Indonesians, especially victims of state violence and their families, the risk of being written out of history is both personal and political.
As the country prepares to commemorate 80 years of independence, the debate over historical truth versus political expediency is becoming more urgent than ever.
- Asia Media Centre
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