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Read, Debate: Engage.
| topic: | Human Rights |
|---|---|
| located: | Indonesia |
| editor: | Leo Galuh |
Every Thursday since 2007, Maria Catarina Sumarsih, the mother of deceased Bernardus Realino - who was shot dead - along with the mothers and fathers of other victims, have visited the Presidential Palace.
Sumarsih lost her son in the first Semanggi Tragedy on November 13, 1998, when state troops opened fire on unarmed civilians and protesters during special sessions of parliament, killing 18 students and injuring hundreds more.
Since Soeharto's fall in May 1998, Indonesia has experienced minimal progress in its political and human rights situation. A significant student protest on May 12, 1998, demanding governmental reform and better management of the financial crisis, resulted in the deaths of four students by military gunfire.
President Widodo promised the public in November 2023 that he would take some measures to resolve the situation, particularly for the victims. However, such actions have yet to be accepted by the Indonesian government.
The 2024 Presidential Candidate, Prabowo Subianto, is the country's defence minister. His campaign team showed no empathy when commenting negatively about the 1998 riot.
Subianto's team admitted they were unconcerned about what he alleged was a "black campaign" to corner him over human rights violations that arise at every presidential event every five years.
The National Security Archive (NSA) disclosed documents demonstrating Prabowo Subianto's involvement in the tragedy. In 1998, the Indonesian Army's Special Forces Command (Kopassus) was led by Major General Prabowo Subianto when it was tasked with 'securing' several anti-Soeharto activists.
The Indonesian Election Committee states that out of over 270 million people nationwide, 204,807,222 voters are expected. Among them, 55% are from the Gen Z and millennial generation, who are yet to become more familiar with Subianto's dark background. Prabowo Subianto's campaign team, along with his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, are making vigorous efforts to rebrand Subianto as an amicable figure on the TikTok platform.
Drone Emprit is a tool used to monitor netizens' conversations on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and now TikTok, as well as to monitor online news based on keywords, names of figures, and event names. Drone Emprit's TikTok engagement research for January 16 to 22, 2024, revealed that of 500 posts, Subianto received over 22 million likes and amassed more than 350 million views, surpassing the other two candidates.
The youth's need for awareness about Subianto's background is concerning, especially as they view him as Indonesia's future leader for the next five years.
Amnesty International has reminded that all presidential and vice-presidential candidates and aspiring legislative candidates campaigning must understand that the state is responsible for upholding and protecting human rights. Making human rights a top priority is an obligation.
Without this, Maria Catarina Sumarsih and other victims' parents will never find solace. Or, there is a possibility that human rights violations may occur in the next five years.
Image by Leo Galuh.
