Fadli Zon Says No Mass Rape In 1998, FAMM Urges To Apologize

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon serves as Chairman of the Council for Titles, Services, and Honorary Signs (GTK) of the Republic of Indonesia. (Ist)

JAKARTA - Representative of the Tuba Falopi Young Women Activist Forum (FAMM) assessed that the Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon had to apologize to the Chinese people in Indonesia for not admitting that there was a rape incident during the 1998 tragedy.

"As a survivor, Fadli Zon's statement exacerbated our injuries. This is proof that the state ignores the settlement of human rights violations," Tuba said in an official press release in Jakarta, Saturday, June 15, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to Tuba, sexual violence at that time was one of the brutal instruments of power, especially to the Chinese people.

This condition must be a concern for the current government, namely by paying more attention to the victims.

"The state failed to protect and chose to close its eyes," Tuba said.

In the same press release, Diyah Wara Restiyati from the Indonesian Chinese Youth Association said that until now, the Chinese people have not been fully recorded in Indonesian history.

"Starting from the period before independence to reform, the history of the Chinese people has not yet entered. When Mr. Fadli Zon said there was no violence against Chinese women in May 1998, it hurt us," he said.

Diyah, who was also a victim at that time, admitted that she felt hurt by Fadli Zon's statement that the dark events experienced by Chinese residents were just rumors.

"This is proof that the state ignores the settlement of human rights violations," he said.