Indonesia: Minister Warns of Communist Penetration in Press

=== [PDF page 1] === Indonesia: Minister Warns of Communist Penetration in Press BK0808095996 Jakarta SUARA PEMBARUAN in Indonesian 7 Aug 96 -(Unattributed report — received via Internet] [FBIS Translated Excerpt] Jakarta, 7 Aug — A call on the national press to be vigilant against the penetration of communism into its ranks was made at a get-together meeting attended by the information minister, the governor of Jakarta, and senior Indonesian journalists belonging to the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Journalists Association on Tuesday (6 August). The meeting, held in conjunction with the celebrations to mark the 269th anniversary of Jakarta and the 51st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, was attended by about 120 senior journalists, who are over 60 years old. During the occasion, Information Minister Harmoko and Jakarta Governor Suryadi Sudirja presented accident insurance cards and souvenirs to two senior journalists, namely, Mrs. SK Trimurti, 84, and Hussein Nur, 86. === [PDF page 2] === At the meeting, which was held in a family-like atmusphere, Harmoko talked at length about the country’s press, which had been seriously undermined by PKI (Indonesian Communist Party) activities about 30 years ago. Whenever he cracked jokes during his speech, his audience, consisting of senior citizens, laughed and Clapped their hands. Harmoko called on the press to become a pioneer in safeguarding the New Order and refrain from actions that cause instability because national development will not go ahead if the situation is uncertain and chaotic. The PKI had always used media as an important vehicle for propaganda and agitation. "The PKI was able to become one of the five big parties after the 1955 general elections only four years after it was crushed. This is unbelievable! Such was the PKI, a party that never gave up its struggle. It rebuilt itself and then launched the 30 September 1965 coup attempt, but was again crushed by ABRI (Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia} and Indonesian people. (passage omitted) Harmoko stressed the younger generation should be aware of the PKI’s tactics to instigate and spread hate among people. Therefore, he urged everybody to help safeguard the New Order, which is always fighting for truth and justice. “Now you are aware of the existence of illegal leaflets and those who want to undermine ABRI’s role in dealing with the 27 July 1996 rioting. Their attempt is very clear and we must be able to see it. In this case, journalism will be able to tell which one is true or false. [passage omited]