Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia

By Beni Bevly

This tragedy is not belonging to Indonesian only but also the world. It’s the same happening in Germany towards Jews, in Cambodia or other part of the world. It is really human tragedy which the point is denying human dignity. The massacre, mass graves and innocent victims are like “spiritual pain” for Indonesia that needs to be healed. Indonesia couldn’t take a step forward freely without healing those pains. It’s not easy I know, but I’m sure that where a will is then there’s a way.
–Albertus Suryo Wicaksono–

When I began coordinating and promoting “1965 Incident Road Show in the United States with A. Suryo Wicaksono”, many people asked me, “Who is A. Suryo Wicaksono? I’ve never heard of him?” Frankly, since I left Indonesia about 10 years ago, I am not so updated with current and young Indonesian activists. I would have never known him if Ester Jusuf did not send me several films that were recorded by her organizations, Salidaritas Nusa Bangsa (SNB) or Homeland Solidarity and Kasut Perdamaian (KP) or Shoe for Peace. One of the films was about 1965 mass grave that really touched me. Then it triggered me to find out further information regarding this film. From there I knew who Albertus Suryo Wicaksono or Suryo.

Of course, conversation with him is not sufficient for me to inform those fellows who Suryo really is. Then I request written information, such as resume from him. Guess what I got? A resume that contends a writing only less than a half of letter size page. That resume tells us the following information.

He was born Jakarta, April 12th 1967. From 1989 to 1995 he went to Ledalero School of Philosophy in East Nusa Tenggara, took Humans Subject, then continued from 1995 to 2001 at Driyarkara School of Philosophy, Jakarta in Social Subject. From 2002 to present, he is the Chairperson of Kasut Perdamaian Foundation and Research Coordinator of Solidaritas Nusa Bangsa and since 1992 up to now he does social work for churches in remote villages in Indonesia.

In 2004, he participated Annual Conference of High Commission on Human Rights, United Nations, Geneva – Switzerland and spoke in serial International discussions in German, Netherlands and Belgium. Prior to that, in 2003 he was one of the Participants of Gwangju Annual International Meeting in South Korea.

I thought that information was not enough. So to collect more information about him, I found some his interviews. Beside from these interviews, I also compiled more information from my conversation with him, with others and from reading his profile. From all the information I have, I could conclude that he is a humble, down to earth (just like one of his email address, “napak tanah”) and low profile. I have to dig, to get the information from him. If I were him, I might have written much longer resume. The last statement is a compliment for him.

Currently, he is a research coordinator, and works in a team under Kasut Perdamaian (KP) Foundation. KP is a partner of SNB. As KP doing research, investigation and any jobs direct to grass roots or victims’ community, SNB then supports it by contributing legal advice and giving considerations as well as doing campaign of whatever KP did. SNB is acting like a lawyer for KP. Both SNB and KP work hand in hand for 65’ cases. However, sometime for special reasons, he does investigation by himself and this is just for strictly confidential matters.

Suryo’s preliminary findings about 1965 incident shows that there is no exact amount of people killed, but according to the testimony of Gen. Sarwo Edhi, the commander of the special force (RPKAD) who organized the killings, he said a moment before he died, “I killed 3 M people”.

Also, Suryo can tell you that, based on his field investigation; people even kill each other for nothing related to September 30 affairs. It’s true that in those periods, “PKI” was the best issue for someone to kill others, even their neighbors. The atmosphere at that time was bad, street justice happens anytime and anywhere. And Indonesian military, as an institutional state, just let it happened. They just let the killing happened without fair trial. Even worst, they also provoked and trained people how to kill each other without mercy.

According to Suryo these numbers are not so important. 500.000, 1 millions, 2 millions or 3 millions, that’s not the point to him. Everyone could say their own number, but later on, he can tell you the truth, based on his field investigation, indeed there was a massacre in Indonesia. He himself already found more than 50 hidden mass graves.

In discovering 1965 mass graves, he meets some objections that come from regional bureaucrats, civilians, radical Muslim groups and the military officers. There are some accusations even threat. If you watched one of the films he recorded, you can see one person took out a blade and threatened to kill one of the activists.

By discovering these mass graves, he believes he can present the truth about the massacre and the truth about Indonesian history that had been covered up for 32 years by Suharto and his regime. He can also utilize his finding to demand justice for the victims and their families, advocate and promote human right in Indonesia.

Until these days, there are a lot of limitations towards people who “indicated” has a connections both directly and indirectly to PKI or Indonesia’s Communist Party. They’re strongly stigmatized by the state through several discriminative regulations. For example – a person who wants to become a public officer must be clean – he or she must have no connection and background to PKI. This regulation is not only valid for the victims but also to their children and grandchildren. So you can imagine the effects.

When Suharto stepped back, it does not mean this discrimination stop. Several regulations still exist. For example, the decree of the minister of home affairs no. 31/1981. A Prohibition of becoming a state employee, a member of military or police, a teacher, minister and other officers was applied to all those directly or indirectly involved in 1965 September movement to all former communist and those with no clean background. And the other is from minister of home affairs decree 24 from 1991. The right of a life long identity card for all Indonesian citizens over 60 years did not apply to them.

Even though some legal regulations were canceled, but in daily life they are still treated differently, meaning in negative way. In several villages, Suryo found that people are accused as so called PKI as “troublemakers”, traitor, no-religion, and sadist and so on. There is traditional belief in some Indonesians that talk about massacre and mass grave are taboo.

Objectively, in 1965 civilians had no capability to kidnapped, tortured and even killed high level army officers. That was military style, not civilians. Suryo thinks the military didn’t want Indonesian people know the fact that the killing of high level officers was also done by the military. There is no proof that the killing was organized by PKI (civilians) and no evidence that civilians kidnapped and kill the seven generals.

So far Suryo’s human right activity has created grassroots reconciliation. This reconciliation initiative comes from family of perpetrators or executioners. It appears to be cultural movement, it’s closed to traditional values, such as visiting each other (silaturahmi). They might come from different starting point, however they go to the same way, which is eliminating horizontal conflict.

My final words. Do not believe what I just wrote. Come and see the 1965 Incident Road Show, then you can decide whether it is true or not. Remember, seeing is believing.

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*Beni Bevly holds BA in Political Science, MBA in Marketing, and is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) candidate. He is the founder of Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia.

Image Source: IndoProgress.blogspot.com

1965 INCIDENT ROAD SHOW IN THE UNITED STATES with A. SURYO WICAKSONO, Field Research Coordinator of Solidaritas Nusa Bangsa (Homeland Solidarity) and Chairman of Kasut Perdamaian (Shoe for Peace) will take places at:

Philadelphia area:
Friday, September 7, 2007, 6:00 PM, at St Thomas Aquinas, 1719 Morris St, Philadelphia, PA 19145, contact person:
Ignatius Suparno, parnocm@yahoo.com, 215 -519-8154

Atlanta area:
Sunday, September 9, 2007, 6:00 PM, at KKI – OLA, 1350 Hearst Dr,
Atlanta, GA 30319, contact person:
Pancha Anugerah, brookdale925@yahoo.com, 678-851-4650

San Francisco Bay Area:
Saturday, September 15, 2007, in Sacramento, CA
Sunday, September 16, 2007, 5:15 PM, at Multipurpose Room,
Holy Family Church, 3880 Smith St. Union City, CA 94587, contact person:
Mutiara Andalas, mutiaraandalas@yahoo.com, 510 665 4067

Los Angeles area:
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 12:30 PM, at Southwestern Los Angeles Law School, 3050 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
Saturday, September 22, 2007, 7:00 PM at Duarte Inn, 1200 Huntington Dr., Duarte, CA 91010, contact person:
Indonesia Media, DrIrawan@aol.com, 626 335 9833

For more information, contact Beni Bevly benibevly@yahoo.com, 650 255 0383

1965 INCIDENT ROAD SHOW IN THE UNITED STATES WITH A. SURYO WICAKSONO, Field Research Coordinator of Solidaritas Nusa Bangsa (Homeland Solidarity) and Chairman of Kasut Perdamaian (Shoe for Peace)

In 1965-1966, General Soeharto orchestrated a crime against humanity in Indonesia. Targeted assassinations were followed by mass arrests and executions using army-backed civilian militia, which developed into the slaughter of between 500,000 and 1 million people. As a “reward” for this atrocity, Soeharto was able to enjoy 32 years of power and is still enjoying freedom and wealth to this day.

After more than 35 years, several groups of people started to search and found many facts regarding this slaughter that was hidden by Soeharto and his cronies. Confessions from witnesses and executors led to field researches revealing more than 50 mass graves scattered around in Indonesia. Some mass graves had been evacuated and recorded on video.

Now is the time to show the world about the truth of Indonesia history.

What had happened during 1965 to 1973 in Indonesia? Why thousands or even millions of people had to be arrested, tortured, and slaughtered without a fair trial? Were some of the victims our own families and friends? How many people’s properties such as houses, schools and land were robbed, and where? Who must be responsible? Where should we stand?

Come and join our video presentation, question and answer in:

Philadelphia
4 September 2007 – 8 September 2007, person in charge: Ignasius Suparno, parnocm@yahoo.com, 215 519 8154.

Atlanta
9 September 2007 – 11 September 2007, person in charge: Pancha Anugerah, brookdale925@yahoo.com, 678-851-4650

San Francisco
12 September 2007 – 17 September 2007, person in charge: Mutiara Andalas, mutiaraandalas@yahoo.com, 510 665 4067

Los Angeles, 18 September 2007 – 22 September 2007, person in charge: Indonesia Media, drirawan@aol.com, 626 335 9833

This road show is supported by:

US based organizations:
FICA (Fellowship of Indonesian Christians in America)
Indonesia Media
ICAA Los Angeles (Indonesian Chinese American Association)
ICHF (Indonesian Community Heritage Foundation)
ICC (Indonesian Community Church)
KKI Philadelphia (Komunitas Katolik Indonesia, Philadelphia)
KKI Atlanta (Komunitas Katolik Indonesia, Atalnta)
OTTI (Overseas Think Thank for Indonesia)
ICANet (Indonesian-Chinese-American Network)

Indonesia based grassroot organizations:
SNB (Solidaritas Nusa Bangsa)
KP (Yayasan Kasut Perdamaian)
FNKT ‘65 (Forum Nasional Keluarga Korban Tragedi 1965)
IS3I (Ikatan Sarjana Sadar Sejarah Indonesia)
ForDePS (Forum Desa Peduli Sejarah)
KALI (Komunitas Arsitek Landscape Indonesia)
JarDeSK ’65 (Jaringan Desa Saksi dan Korban 1965)
PKKP 45-65 (Pejuang Kemerdekaan 1945 Korban Peristiwa 1965)
AlDeTaK (Aliansi Desa Tolak Kekerasan)o SolWaKOB (Solidaritas Warga Korban Orde Baru)
ASLI (Aliansi Saudara/i Lintas Iman)
PPDI (Paguyuban Pamong Desa Indonesia)
APHI (Asosiasi Penasehat Hukum dan HAM Indonesia / Indonesian Lawyers and Human Rights Defenders Association)

For more information, contact Beni Bevly at benibevly@yahoo.com and 1 650 255 0383 (US) or
Albertus Suryo Wicaksono at napaktanah@yahoo.com or +62 813 1902 5016 (Indonesia)

Oleh Beni Bevly
Pada Mitos dan Fakta Kehidupan di Amerika Serikat (1) dan (2) diuraikan mengenai mitos dan fakta sekolah gratis, uang cuma-cuma dari sosial security dan free sex. Dalam artikel yang ke tiga ini akan diuraikan mitos dan fakta mengenai sikap indivisualistik dan kapitalistik di Amerika Serikat (AS). Artikel ini tidak bermaksud untuk membela pihak atau memojokkan pihak tertentu. Dengan pengalaman dan kehidupan di dua dunia, yaitu di Indonesia dan di Amerika, kiranya cukup bagiku untuk menilai secara pribadi bagaimana sesungguhnya fakta kehidupan masyarakat Amerika secara umum dalam dua hal ini.

Mitos Individualistik dan Kapitalistik

Orang Amerika sangat individualistik dan kapitalistik. Pengertian umum yang ditangkap dari kata individualiatik adalah bahwa orang yang termasuk golongan ini mempunyai sifat yang egois, tidak suka saling menolong atau gotong-royong dan tidak bersifat kekeluargaan. Agaknya kata individualistik ini seiring dengan pengertian umum tentang kapitalistik. Dikatakan kapitalistik jika seseorang hanya mengutamakan keuntungan semata dalam hubungannya dengan mahluk sesama atau mahluk lain. Karena sifat yang selalu mencari untung ini, mereka cenderung menjadi oportunis dan melupakan sisi kemanusiaan.

Mitos kehidupan orang Amerika yang individualistik dan kapitalistik di kalangan masyarkat Indonesia sudah tertanam di dalam benakku sejak dari Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP), atau mungkin dari Sekolah Dasar (SD). Di sekolah, ketika guru menerangkan bahwa ideologi Pancasila bukan suatu edeologi yang berkiblat pada komunisme dan juga bukan suatu ideologi yang mengarah pada kapitalisme atau individualisme. Dalam keterangan itu dijelaskan bahwa ideologi kapitalisme/individualisme adalah milik orang barat, termasuk orang Amerika Serikat. Kapitalisme/individualisme dan pengikutnya selalu digambarkan sebagai sesuatu yang jelek. Salah satu tulisan mengenai hal ini bisa dibaca di Kompas.com, 27 Juni 2006).

Fakta

Memang tidak bisa disangkal bahwa untuk batas tertentu, mitos mengenai individualistik dan kapitalistik adalah benar. Hal seperti ini bukan hanya ditemukan di AS, tetapi juga dengan mudah ditemukan di lingkungan di mana saja kita bergaul dan tinggal.

Untuk melihat lebih jelas mengenai fakta yang berkaitan dengan mitos kehidupan yang individualistik dan kapitalistik, marilah kita melihat secara dekat kehidupan kehidupan sehari-hari masyrakat di Amerika Serikat dari sisi di bawah ini.

Pertama, individualistik sering dikaitkan dengan sifat individu Amerika yang egois, tidak suka saling menolong atau gotong-royong, ignorance (tidak peduli) dan tidak punya sifat kekeluargaankan. Dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, termasuk tingkah laku orang Amerika di tempat umum di AS banyak ditemukan persetujuan yang tidak tertulis dan tidak disadari oleh mereka sendiri. Persetujuan tingkah laku ini memperlihatkan kebalikan dari sifat egois. Banyak tingkah laku yang terjadi di tempat umum mencerminkan sifat saling menolong, gotong royong dan malah bersifat kekeluargaan. Contohnya sebagai berikut.

Dalam hal lalu lintas berjalan baik dengan kendaraan ataupun pejalan kaki. Di setiap perempatan yang tidak ada lampu lalu lintas, dengan sendirinya para pengendara mobil akan berhenti dan menunggu giliran. Sulit ditemukan orang yang main menyelonong. Jika macet, tidak ada bunyi klakson nyaring yang memekakan dendang telinga. Hampir tidak ada yang memaksa untuk menggunakan bahu jalan. Jika ada pejalan kaki, pengendara mobil hampir selalu mengalah terhadap mereka.

Sebagai pejalan kaki, sudah menjadi kebiasaan mereka untuk berjalan di sebelah kanan jalan. Begitu juga pada saat menggunakan tangga umum dan escalator, seperti tangga di mall-mall. Jika seseorang menggunakan escalator dan tidak berjalan, maka orang tersebut akan berdiri di pinggir sebelah kanan escalator untuk memberi jalan pada orang lain di belakang melewati mereka melalui sebelah kiri.

Contoh lain adalah masuk keluar pintu. Pada umumnya orang Amerika akan membiarkan orang untuk keluar dulu, baru dia masuk. Jika di belakangnya atau di depannya ditemukan ada orang lain yang hendak keluar masuk, maka pengguna pintu pertama biasanya akan menahan pintu untuk orang tersebut masuk atau keluar. Orang yang masuk dan keluar tersebut dengan otomatis mengucapkan, “Thank you.”

Hal lain yang sering ditemukan di daerah parawisata adalah tawaran dari orang Amerika untuk menjepret pasangan yang sedang liburan. Jangan kwatir, mereka tidak akan membawa lari kamera kita.

Di kota aku tinggal, ada organisasi nonformal yang membantu dan memberi informasi bagi para tetangga yang baru pindah ke kota kami, yaitu New Comers Club. Ada juga Moms Club dan juga tidak ketinggalan organisasi sukarela untuk menjaga keamanan yang disebut Neighborhood Watch dan STAR program. STAR program adalah kerja sukarela khusus bagi pensiunan yang membantu Sjariff untuk menjaga keamanan lingkungan. Aku sendiri mengajarkan Tae Kwon Do dengan cuma-cuma setiap hari Sabtu pagi di taman.

Masih contoh di kota aku tinggal, banyak dari kami di sini yang mengadakan blok parti, yaitu kumpul makan-makan secara berkala dan bergantian di antara tetangga. Sesama tetangga, hanya kami yang orang Asia, yang lainnya adalah bule, saling tukar nomer telepon dan berjanji untuk untuk memberi tahu jika ada sesuatu yang tidak beres dan perlu bantuan.

Kedua, mitos kapitalistik yang selalu dikaitkan dengan para pemilik modal yang kegiatannya hanya mencari keuntungan semata, tanpa memperhatikan sisi kemanusiaan, ternyata tidak semuanya benar. Hampir di setiap perusahaan menengah dan besar di Amerika pasti mempunyai program sosial. Contoh yang bisa aku ambil dari perusahaan di mana aku pernah bekerja, yaitu Nordstrom dan Wellsfargo. Di Nordstrom, setiap tahun perusahaan selalu menganjurkan agar karyawannya beramal dan perusahaan sendiri dan men-match berapa yang karyawan kasih. Beberapa tahun yang lalu aku pernah ditunnjuk menjadi spoke person untuk kegiatan ini. Di sini aku bermitra dengan perusahaan dan United Way untuk mencari dana guna membantu organisasi non profit di bawah United Way.

Begitu juga ketika aku bekerja di Wellsfargo. Sebagai karyawan dan perusahaan memberikan sumbangan, baik tahunan ataupun bulanan kepada organisai nonprofit lokal.

Perlu diingat juga bahwa proposi tax yang ditarik oleh pemerintah dari karyawan dan pungusaha juga dijadikan dana tunjangan bagi penganguran dan orang tidak mampu.

Masih ingat sumbangan dari Warren Buffett yang legendaris itu? Ia menyumbang US $ 30.000.000.000 pada the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation dan US $ 6.000.000 pada empat Buffett Foundation. Begitu juga dengan pengusaha besar lainnya, seperti Bill Gates. Mereka menyumbangkan uang dalam jumlah besar pada nonprofit oranization yang bermisi kemanusiaan. Sumbangan mereka bisa dibaca di The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Adalah hal yang tidak bijaksana jika aku hanya menelan bulat-bulat apa yang diajarkan oleh guru SD dan SMP-ku. Bukan pula suatu perbuatan yang bijaksana untuk menjelekan yang lain dan meninggikan kita sendiri. Tetapi carilah dan kembangkanlah terus kelebihan yang dimiliki oleh bansa kita sendiri.

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*Beni Bevly holds BA in Political Science, MBA in Marketing, and is a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) candidate. He is the founder of Overseas Think Tank for Indonesia.