By Nico Warouw
On July 26, almost 200 Indonesians living in Sydney attended a public meeting in Marrickville organised by a newly formed organisation, Forum Solidaritas Australia Indonesia (FSAI, Indonesia-Australia Solidarity Forum). Speakers included prominent opposition figures in Sydney to attend the "East Timor: Its Future in the Asia Pacific" conference held June 21-24.
The speakers represented a variety of political views within Indonesia: Permadi from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) from the re-emerging nationalist-Sukarnoist movement, Coki Naipospos and Bambang Suryadi from the student network Pijar, Anom Astika from the People's Democratic Party (PRD) and Lukman from the independent trade union PPBI.
Speakers and discussion focused on recent political developments, in particular the attempts by the regime to remove Megawati Sukarnoputri as chairperson of the PDI and the mass demonstrations organised by her supporters.
There was a general sentiment that Suharto's corrupt New Order regime cannot last indefinitely. Issues such as continued human rights violations, military intervention in politics and economic exploitation were cited as reasons why Indonesia needs a new, democratic government.
The meeting gave Permadi enthusiastic support when he expressed his determination to continue the struggle, regardless of the risks involved. This enthusiasm reflects the increasing radicalisation and militancy within Indonesia.
Anom Astika from PRD described the 1975 Indonesian military invasion of East Timor as a violation of the Maubere people's rights to self-determination and freedom. The butchery of hundred of thousands had caused great suffering while the people of Indonesia are forced to pay for their government's war effort, he said. The PRD is explicitly supporting the struggle in East Timor and is demanding an act of self-determination.
Raising East Timor at such a meeting was designed to increase awareness of the situation in that country. Indonesian newspapers, magazines and television only report on "development" there and never mention the New Order regime's killings and money spent on the war effort.
"East Timor is not only an issue for the Maubere people themselves or international solidarity organisations campaigning for self-determination, but must be a responsibility of the pro-democracy movement in Indonesia", said Anom.