IPTI and Civil Society Condemn Minister's Remarks on May 1998 Tragedy

JAKARTA - The Ikatan Pemuda Tionghoa Indonesia (IPTI), alongside a coalition of civil society organizations, has issued a strong condemnation of statements made by Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon. The minister's remarks, which suggested a lack of evidence for mass rapes during the May 1998 tragedy, have drawn widespread criticism. In a video statement, a representative from IPTI asserted that the May 1998 events were a profound tragedy for the entire Indonesian nation, extending beyond just the Tionghoa community. "Mass rape is a barbaric act, regardless of the number or victims," the representative stated, emphasizing that such an event must be opposed. He further elaborated that the 1998 incident marked the culmination of discrimination against the Tionghoa group. IPTI and its coalition partners firmly reject any attempts to revise, obscure, or erase the historical truth surrounding the May 1998 tragedy. They stressed the importance of history serving as a mirror for the government. "History should be a reflection for the government to learn from the past in order to create a wise government, so that social justice can be created for all Indonesian people," the representative added. The organizations collectively urged the government to refrain from manipulating historical facts, advocating for a future built on lessons from the past for the benefit of all citizens.