Activists Call DPR Criticism Of Menbud Strengthening Defense Narrative Against Victims Of Sexual Violence Tragedy 98

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA - Female activist from the Sarinah Institute, Luky Sandra Amalia, appreciated the criticism given by a number of members of the DPR, especially female legislators, against the statement of the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon regarding the issue of mass rape in the 1998 tragedy.

According to him, the attitude of female DPR members in a working meeting with Menbud Fadli Zon strengthens the narrative of the defense of victims of sexual violence in the past.

He also said that female legislators' criticism reflected the main function of parliament, especially in overseeing gender justice issues.

"Criticism of members of the DPR, especially members of the women's DPR, for the statement of the Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, which was delivered directly in the middle of a working meeting should be appreciated. Indeed, that is their function in parliament," said Amalia, Saturday, July 5.

"Their criticism further strengthens the narrative of the defense of victims of sexual violence during the 1998 democratic transition, which has been crowded with women activists outside parliament," he continued.

As is known, two members of the DPR, namely Deputy Chairman of Commission X DPR My Esti Wijayati and Member of Commission X DPR Mercy Chriesty Barends in a working meeting with Fadli Zon on Wednesday, July 2, became a public spotlight.

Mercy criticized Fadli Zon's statement that mass rape in the '98 tragedy could not be proven or just rumors.

He also demanded that Fadli Zon apologize publicly for his statement and confirmed that the rape cases at 98 really occurred because Mercy claimed to be a witness to the dark history of the incident at that time.

The same thing was conveyed by My Esti. Even Esti could not hold back her tears because she thought Fadli Zon's claim to have injured rape victims that occurred in the early era of the reform.

His statement regarding the absence of mass rape in the tragedy 98 became controversial and appeared in connection with the rewriting project being carried out by the Government through the Ministry of Culture.

In this regard, Amalia assessed that the views of the two female legislators reflect strong gender sensitivity and can be an inspiration.

According to him, the two members of Commission X of the DPR can be good examples.

"How two female legislators who are not strong enough to hold back tears when expressing their views show their gender sensitivity as fellow women," said Amalia.

"Hopefully, they can inspire more female legislators and women activists outside parliament to participate in overseeing government policies so that they are more gender sensitive," continued the researcher at the Center for Political Research-BRIN.

Amalia also emphasized the continuity between votes from outside parliament and the attitude of women legislators inside the DPR building which really needs to be done.

He considered that female legislators in the DPR had sensitivity to the issue of women who were of public concern.

"It is necessary to echo women activists outside parliament who need to be echoed by women who are representatives of the people in the DPR building. As fellow women, female legislators should have gender sensitivity with women activists outside parliament and women who are victims of sexual violence," said Amalia.

Furthermore, Amalia underlined the importance of collaboration between parliament and civil movement to strengthen the insistence on the development of history based on facts.

He said that the solidity of women is expected to be taken into consideration by the government in rewriting history.

"These criticisms are still divided, it is time to unite to produce stronger echoes so that they can influence government policies," he explained.

"For this reason, solid collaboration is needed between women's activists outside parliament and women's legislators in parliament to press for historical decay according to the facts. It is as it is, without the need for a 'positive tonnage'," added Amalia.