Indonesia History Books Rewrite the Past and Send Scholars into Spooky Terror

Reimagining Indonesia’s History Books

Background of the Project

The administration under President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a 10‑volume historical account for the nation. The aim is to consolidate Indonesian identity, but scholars worry the revision could erase uncomfortable truths.

Questions Raised by Historian Voices

• Missing 1998 Riots: The draft outlines omit discussion of May 1998 riots, which targeted ethnic Chinese and involved police‑led violence.
• Whitewashing Tendency: Historian Andi Achdian highlighted a “flawed writing style” that tends to whitewash history.
• Absence of Human Rights Violations: Former President Joko Widodo’s 2023 admission of “gross human rights violations” is not promised to be included.
• Critique from Civil Society: Former Attorney General Marzuki Darusman warned that “accepted cases” could be ignored.

Government Response

Culture Minister Fadli Zon emphasized that the volumes are needed for nation‑building and claimed the 1998 events would appear as a “trigger for discussion.” However, the project’s editor, Jajat Burhanudin, stated the 1998 events would eventually be incorporated.

Controversy Over Specific Content

• Mass Rape Allegations: Fadli questioned the existence of mass rape during the riots, citing a lack of proof.
• Fact‑Finding Report: A 1998 report found at least 52 reported rape cases; Amnesty International’s Usman Hamid warned that the project risked erasing such “uncomfortable truths.”

Academic Participation and Resignations

The project mobilizes 113 academics, yet at least one has resigned due to disagreements over editorial choices. Archaeologist Harry Truman Simanjuntak left over the term “early history” used instead of “prehistory” to avoid colonial connotations.

Calls for Suspension and Criticism

• Activist Maria Catarina Sumarsih: Calls the government “deceiving the public, especially young people.”
• Argument for Academic Authorship: Scholars such as Marzuki suggest that the nation’s history should be produced by independent historians, not a government version of propaganda.

Conclusion

The Indonesian government’s plan to publish new history books faces a tense debate over potential bias and omission of past abuses. While the official narrative stresses an inclusive educational resource, critics urge a more transparent, academically‑driven approach that faithfully records all facets of Indonesia’s recent history.