History of Sept. 30 events
9th November 2005
I refer to the letter from Michael Hills published a few days ago in The Jakarta Post regarding the events that took place on Sept. 30 back in 1965,
As I have mentioned earlier, history is always written by the victors and accordingly we have had to watch the movie that was shown every year on Sept. 30 up until 1997 depicting the events as seen by the winning side,
It portrayed the atrocities meted out to the generals who were reportedly murdered by communist insurgents. Later on, when the tide turned, we found out that the communist insurgents were also not spared.
Now that neither side to that particular conflict is in a position of influence and power and a reasonably long period of 40 years has elapsed it is time an attempt was made to write the correct or official history based on what actually happened.
This should be done while many people from that era are still alive and the necessary documents in government archives are in the public domain.
It may not be easy, but if further time elapses, it will become more and more difficult as more and more people who witnessed the events pass away.
We should not forget that one of the most investigated mysteries of the last century, viz., the assassination of President Kennedy, is still unresolved after 42 years.
K. B. KALE, Jakarta
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