Outdated version of history remains today's reference

Angela Dewan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

At the National History Museum beneath the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, hundreds of schoolchildren from Central Java were told a particular version of history portraying former president Soeharto as a symbol of strength and benevolence. On the same day, the former president was still lying weakly in a Jakarta hospital.

The museum exhibits dioramas that span from prehistoric Indonesia until 1992, when Soeharto made a plea for peace and stability at the Tenth Conference for the Non-Aligned Movement.

The exhibition glorifies the military in its fight for independence. Of the 13 dioramas that contain information from during Sukarno's presidency, his name is mentioned only twice whereas the military is praised in five of the 13 dioramas.

The museum was founded by Soeharto himself. Founding president Sukarno began construction of the National Monument in 1961, however, it was Soeharto who finished the construction in 1975 and was in the position to then create the museum.

The museum usually attracts at least 500 visitors on weekdays and 10,000 visitors during school holidays. The museum records Indonesia's history only until 1992, six years prior to the fall of the Soeharto government, which is given no mention.

The year 1965 is ignored, except for the murder of the seven generals in an attempted coup blamed on the communists. Nothing is mentioned about the alleged massacre of at least 500,000 people, according to the most conservative estimate. Other reports say two million alleged communists and communist sympathizers were killed in the period following the failed coup.

The museum also only mentions the 1966 student movement, while the 1974, 1978 and 1998 student protests against Soeharto receive no mention.

"What content we can use depends on the policies of the government," says Ageng Darimintono, the deputy head of administration at Monas. "The government has power over the museums, especially the National Monument because it is such a powerful source of information."

Indri, a junior high school teacher from Central Java, said, "I think the museum is very useful for my students. I don't think they should talk about killings because it is just a rumor that they happened."

After the 1998 reformasi, the contents of history books for schoolchildren have been the center of an ongoing debate. The contents of the museum, however, remain outdated and inaccurate.

Ageng remains hopeful. "Last year there was a seminar in Bogor aimed at redesigning the dioramas in this museum. It is under the ministers for education, and tourism and culture. They want to give information about what happened in 1965."

Ageng believes that it may be possible to exhibit the information should Soeharto pass away.

As Soeharto lies in the hospital, some students and activists protest about alleged killings throughout the 32 years of his rule, while others continue to visit the National History Museum.

Ageng awaits the opportunity for change. "We would like to make this monument something to be proud of."