TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has called on the public to interpret the dark history of human rights violations including the mass rapes of 1998 with maturity and a non-emotional approach.
"Every historical wound deserves our respect. However, history is not just about emotions, but about honesty in data and facts," he stated in a written statement received by Tempo on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Fadli maintains that he has never downplayed the suffering of the victims. He fully supports the strengthening of institutions like the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms. "Empathy doesn't have to be emotional. Empathy also means ensuring that each event is understood in its proper proportion so that justice can be upheld without doubt," he explained.
The Gerindra Party politician acknowledged that his recent statements regarding the 1998 mass rapes may have caused disappointment. However, he clarified that if his statements are read in full, it becomes clear he never intended to deny the existence of sexual violence.
He urged all parties to be cautious in their historical narratives, advising against simplifications that he believed could hinder the pursuit of justice.
Fadli recognized the extreme sensitivity surrounding the issue of sexual violence in the 1998 tragedy. Yet, because of this sensitivity, he expressed hope that the public would be careful when using the term "mass" in reference to the 1998 rape tragedy.
Based on Fadli's understanding, while the 1998 Joint Fact-finding Team (TGPF) report did document occurrences of sexual violence, he asserted that the report did not reveal a systematic pattern that would qualify as "mass" under international law.
Fadli underscored that the state's duty is to respect victims, but also to ensure that history is written responsibly—not under pressure or for sensationalism.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, commented on Fadli Zon's statements. According to him, Fadli Zon is not denying the occurrence of violence itself, but rather questioning the academic validity of the term "mass."
"The focus is not on whether violence occurred or not, but on the terminology used. We must distinguish that to prevent any misunderstandings," Pratikno told reporters on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
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