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RI voices on 1965 silenced again: Herb Feith Foundation
The Herb Feith Foundation, which sponsored events at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) that were eventually cancelled by authorities, has expressed its disappointment
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T
he Herb Feith Foundation, which sponsored events at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) that were eventually cancelled by authorities, has expressed its disappointment.
The foundation is 'shocked and disappointed' at the cancellation four days before its program was due to commence.
'Indonesian voices on 1965-1966 have again been silenced,' it says in a media release. 'We have lost an opportunity to hear contributions from key Indonesians and writers and researchers toward a better understanding and reflection on this traumatic history.'
The foundation, named after the famous Australian Indonesianist, sponsored three discussion panels, a photo exhibition and a launch of four books.
Three of the books are translations from Indonesian including, Forbidden Memories: Women's Experiences of 1965 in Eastern Indonesia, edited by Mery Kolimon, Liliya Wetangterah and Karen Campbell-Nelson; Breaking the Silence: Survivors Speak about 1965'66 Violence in Indonesia, edited by Putu Oka Sukanta; Truth Will Out: Indonesian Accounts of the 1965 Mass Violence, edited by Dr. Baskara T. Wardaya SJ.
One Indonesian book G30S dan Kejahatan Negara (G30S and State Violence), written by Siauw Giok Tjhan, would have also been showcased.
The authorities have also banned the screening of US director Joshua Oppenheimer's The Look of Silence.
The banning received a great deal of media attention in Australia on Friday and Saturday.
Janet DeNeefe, the founder and director of the festival, wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald that 'we have all been proud of Indonesia's democratic reputation to date but there now seems to be a new code of behaviour among the powers that be'.
The Guardian says the announcement 'signalled heightened sensitivities in Indonesia around the 50th anniversary of the mass killings'.
The Australian said Bali's authorities warned that the festival's permit, issued by national police, could be revoked if the book launch, film and five panel sessions went ahead when it opened on Wednesday.
