TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iskandar Achmad, president director of state-owned TV station TVRI, said that the screening of “Pengkhianatan G 30s PKI” (Betrayal of the Communists) is important for younger generations to understand the history of Indonesia better.
“It is essential for our younger generation from the historical point of view,” said Iskandar on Tuesday, September 19.
Iskandar added that the film is necessary to expose the violence during the massacre on September 30, 1965.
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The film, according to Iskandar, is a part of Indonesia’s history, and TVRI is willing to re-broadcast even though such request has not been submitted by the government to this date.
The controversial film was produced and released in 1984, and every school in the country was required to hold a screening of the movie. Students were also instructed to review the film.
During the New Order under the leadership of President Soeharto, TVRI broadcasted it annually on September 30. That policy was revoked after Soeharto resigned from his position as president.
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The film has been criticized by many, such as the Nahdalatul Ulama Central Executive Board (PBNU) that considers the film is no longer relevant. PBNU executive Imam Aziz views that the film might be effective during the New Order where society was much more closed than today.
“If it were broadcasted today, many people would laugh at it,” said Imam on Sunday, September 17.
BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI
