Historian: Warning Of The House Of Representatives Regarding The Writing Of Official History Must Be The Government's Attention

DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - The plan to rewrite Indonesian history being carried out by the Ministry of Culture (Kemenbud) is now a serious concern for the majority of members of the DPR.

The DPR, especially Commission X, which partners with the Ministry of Education and Culture, warned that the rewriting of national history really involves experts and is carried out transparently.

Historian Asvi Warman Adam assessed that the commemoration or warning from the DPR regarding the writing of official history as referred to by the Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon must be a concern of the government. Because, writing history is not just a job.

"The chairman of Commission X, Hetifah Syaifudian, when chairing a public hearing at the DPR on May 19, 2025, said that the DPR will oversee the project carried out by the Ministry of Culture. The writing of history is not a random job, because it is necessary by the nation, including future generations," said Asvi Warman, Monday, May 26.

As previously reported, the Ministry of Culture has appointed three historians, namely Susanto Zuhdi, Singgih Tri Sulistiyono, and Jajat Burhanudin, to compile the Concept of Indonesian History Writing.

This rewriting plan includes the beginning of the birth of the people of the archipelago to post-Reform. This history book is targeted to be completed on August 17, 2025 or to be precise on the anniversary of Indonesia's 80th independence.

The main reason for the revision of Indonesian history into the book 'Official History' is to reconcile historical knowledge with new findings from dissertation, thesis, or research by historians.

The results of this rewriting will later be officially recorded through funding from the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Indonesian Historians Community (MSI).

Asvi also highlighted the period of rewriting of Indonesian history starting on January 8, 2025, where Prof. Dr. Agus Mulyana who is also the General Chair of MSI (Indonesian Historians) was inaugurated by the Minister of Culture as Director of History and Summary of the Ministry of Culture.

In just a matter of days, on January 16, 2025, a 30-page Indonesian History Writing Concept was created. The concept was formulated by three professors Susanto Zuhdi (Indonesian University), Singgih Tri Sulistiyono (Diponegoro University), and Jajat Burhanudin (UIN Jakarta). The three of them are also general editors of the Indonesian history book. Then, the General Editor appointed 20 people to be Editor Volumes in this book consisting of 10 volumes. "So in every volume "There are two Editors of Volumes," said Asvi. This Volume Editor then recruited 10 members of the authors for each volume. Prof. Susanto Zuhdi admitted that in the Bambang Sadono portal, namely Inspiration for the Nation (9/5), more recruitment was based on 'friendship' because the time was very tight. Then, on January 22, 2025 Prof. This Indonesia, one of them is because he considers the strange prehistoric term replaced by early history'. According tomen, this is an expansion of a scientific discipline towards other disciplines. "The General Editors say that they are open to criticism. It turns out that internal criticism is not served, they report to the Minister and Minister agreeing with the term Early History, even the Minister calls it the Beginning of History, "explained Asvi. "In fact, the right one is a Prehistor. So far In the previous SNI, the volume was called a Prehistoric. It was done by archaeologists, not by historians," he continued. Asvi Warman also highlighted how short this project process was. He said, if this book 'Official History' is ready to be launched on Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, then this is the fastest historical writing project since Indonesia Merdeka 80 years ago. Not to mention, the number of figures involved in Indonesia's historical rewriting project this. Therefore, Asvi agreed with the statement of the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who assessed that the rewriting of national history does not need to be targeted for completion on August 17. Because according to her, caution is needed in writing Indonesia's history. "And more importantly, as stated by the Chairman of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, the writing of national history does not need to be rushed to meet the target of August 17, 2025, caution is needed in writing so that it does not happen. "Repairing history or eradicating history," said Asvi. . And warnings or warnings from the DPR as a partner of the Government must be a concern, "added the BRIN Research Professor (Purnabakti). Previously, DPR Speaker Puan Maharani also highlighted the matter of rewriting this history. He emphasized the importance of transparency from the Government in the process of rewriting Indonesian history to the public. Puan also reminded that the rewriting of history does not obscure historical facts that have occurred since Indonesia is independent. "The important thing is that there is no fusion or rewriting related to history that does not straighten history," said Puan, Tuesday, May 20.

Puan also reminded that the spirit of the Red Jas echoed by the proclaimer and the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Sukarno, would still be held firmly.

He also asked Jas Merah (Never Forget History) to be used as a guideline regarding the plan to rewrite the nation's history. "So 'Jas Merah', never forget history at all," said Soekarno's grandson. Currently, Commission X of the DPR is holding a meeting with the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon regarding the rewriting of history which is currently being worked on by historians from various universities in Indonesia.

In the ongoing meeting, the Commission in charge of education and culture listened to a direct explanation from the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon.