TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon acknowledged the occurrence of rape incidents during the May 1998 riot. However, he firmly asserted that the rape cannot be considered as having occurred on a massive scale.
"Massive is very synonymous with structured and systematic," said Fadli during a working meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission X at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
He then compared it to the number of victims slaughtered by the Japanese army, which reached 200,000 people in Nanjing, China. Fadli also cited the mass cases in the massacre of Bosnian Muslim citizens, which he estimated to have claimed up to 50,000 lives.
Using these genocide cases, he stated that in order to conclude a case as a form of mass crime, it must be accurately documented. The former Deputy Speaker of the House claimed to have read the findings of the Joint Fact-Finding Team on the 1998 Riot and still doubted that the rape occurred on a massive scale.
Fadli claimed that he condemned all violence against women. "Only specifically earlier. If there is a slight difference of opinion regarding the wording (massive), in my opinion, we may need to document it more carefully in the future," he said.
The Gerindra politician also stated that he was not inclined to diminish or erase historical facts. He also stated that the group of perpetrators of rape should be punished as long as their identities can be traced.
"If for example the group, the perpetrators, can be traced. The problem is, it has not yet become a legal fact," he then said.
Fadli's statement was met with resistance from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Faction. Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives' Commission X, Maria Yohana Esti Wijayati, shed tears and interrupted Fadli Zon. Esti felt that Fadli lacked sensitivity to the incidents experienced by the victims of mass rape.
"The more Mr. Fadli Zon speaks, why does it feel more painful? Regarding rape, maybe it's better not to be discussed in this forum, Sir," said Esti.
She said that Fadli Zon was too focused on theory because he demanded proof and disregarded the testimony of the victims. "Your explanation, which is very theoretical like this, by saying that you were also an activist at that time, will only deepen the wounds," she said.
Editor's Choice: Fadli Zon to Be Questioned by House Over 1998 Mass Rape Denial
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Civil Society Coalition Confronts Fadli Zon's Session with House Commission X
17 jam lalu
The Civil Society Coalition Against Impunity interrupted the working meeting of House of Representatives Commission X with Fadli Zon.
Fadli Zon to Be Questioned by House Over 1998 Mass Rape Denial
1 hari lalu
House Commission X will summon Fadli Zon on July 2 to clarify his remark dismissing the 1998 mass rape as a rumor.
PDIP Urges Fadli Zon to Halt Indonesian History Rewriting Project
2 hari lalu
PDIP previously only requesting the government to postpone the official Indonesian history rewriting project.
Civil Society Coalition Protests Plan to Name Soeharto National Hero
6 hari lalu
The coalition presented nearly 2,000 pages of documented evidence, which they referred to as "Soeharto's sins" during his New Order leadership.
Gerindra Chief Warns Prabowo's Ministers Against Being a "Burden"
6 hari lalu
Prabowo had to step in and resolve issues caused by his aides, including the nickel mining in Raja Ampat, and Aceh island dispute with North Sumatra.
Whitewashing the History of the May 1998 Riots
10 hari lalu
Fadli Zon dismisses the May 1998 mass rapes as mere rumor. For the victims, it was a crime against humanity.
Minister Fadli Zon Urges Mature Understanding of 1998 Dark History
15 hari lalu
Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon maintains that he has never downplayed the suffering of the victims of the 1998 tragedy.
Stories of May 1998 Mass Rape Victims: One Was Just 14 Years Old
15 hari lalu
Fadli Zon's statement about the mass rape incidents during the May 1998 riots being mere rumors has triggered criticism from the public. This article presents the experiences of rape victims previously published by Tempo.
Komnas HAM Reaffirms 1998 Mass Rape as State-Recognized Serious Human Rights Violation
15 hari lalu
Komnas HAM Chairperson Anis Hidayah said that various acts of violence occurring between May 13-15, 1998, had undergone a thorough investigation.
Amnesty International: 'Fadli Zon Has No Authority to Call May 1998 Mass Rape a Rumor'
16 hari lalu
Instead of giving statements beyond his authority, Fadli Zon should have referred to the findings of the National Commission on Human Rights or the Joint Fact-Finding Team.
