As an International Intern at the May 18 Memorial Foundation, I already passed my time in South Korea especially in Gwangju around 9 months. I arrived in South Korea on March 2008. First time I didn’t know much about the country even Gwangju. Day by day, I learned and experienced a lot of things.
In Indonesia, I work for an NGO as a Program Coordinator. The name is SOLIDARITAS NUSA BANGSA-SNB (Homeland Solidarity). SNB is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) that focuses on society’s values such as dignity, equality, and freedom. Established on June 5, 1998 after The May Riot 98, SNB spontaneously has been a shelter for the riot’s victims and their relatives. Our vision is an Indonesia that is democratic, which appreciates friendship, pluralism values and honors equality. Our mission is to empower communities to be more aware of the values of pluralism and equality.
Before I went to South Korea, I worked around a year and a half in SNB. Most of my works were related with victim’s family of May Riot 98. We work with the association of victim’s family in Klender, East Jakarta. It is called FKKM (Forum Keluarga Korban Mei 1998) – Forum of Victim’s Family of May Riot 98.
What is May Riot 98?
It started on May 12, 1998 when more than a thousand people especially university students gathered at Trisakti University, Jakarta. They were against the government of former President Mr. Soeharto (RIP) who lead Indonesia since 1967-1998. There were clashes between demonstrators and the police, four university students died and many people got hurt.
The Trisakti Tragedy followed by May Riot on May 13-15, that made a lot of ordinary people angry. They made vandalism and burning of cars, stores, buildings, etc in some areas in Jakarta. The tragedy and riot also happened in some cities in Indonesia, like Palembang, Solo, Surabaya, and Lampung.
The tragedy and Riot were big moments for Indonesian society. It made a big change. Mr. Soeharto (RIP) deposed from his position as a president of Indonesia on May 21, 1998 and Mr. B.J.Habibie as a Vice President replaced him. After the tenure of Mr. Soeharto (RIP), many organizations were established. Most of them were NGO (Non Government Organization). Their aims, goal, vision, and mission were various but most were concerned on democracy, human rights, and peace. Democratization started from then on.
Since I work in my NGO in Indonesia, especially when I meet the victim’s family and see their smile, it made me more eager and involved on human rights, democracy, and peace
Until now, the government have not done much to address the tragedy and Riot. Most of the victims were laid to rest in Pondok Rangon, East Jakarta. On April 2007, we made a petition for 21 people / organizations to our president, Mr. Soesilo Bambang Yudhono. We asked the government for a proper grave of the May Riot’s victims.
Other activities that we have done includes: advocacy, book launching, exhibitions, and campaigns especially for May Riot 98.
The big moment for me during my internship program was when I joined the big demonstration at Geunamno Street (downtown) on June 10, 2008. It inspired me about how to organize mobilization. Candle demonstration, it is a calm and peaceful means of protest. People come with candles and sing struggle songs. At the candle demonstration, people could bring their family members even children. When we join, we could learn and experience history, our society problems, and gain knowledge especially related with democratization.
Most of people have the opinion that to reach our goal we need to use violence way. It is not right!! Violence just bring a lot of people to get hurt or died. Let’s us start the democratic movement by peaceful way, where a lot of people can join and fight together for our hope and dream.
For almost 10 months in South Korea, my knowledge and experiences were definitely enhanced. It was not only from the books, internet, or other resources, but also from the Korean people. The spirit and struggle of Korean people especially the historic 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising inspired me a lot.
My internship program will be finished this December, I will go back to Indonesia on December 27, 2008. Indonesia is a developing country. We still have a lot of weaknesses to address as a nation. As Indonesian, I will do my best to give my full capabilities as my way to fight for human rights, democracy, and peace. Thank you for the May 18 Memorial Foundation for having contributed a lot in charging my views and perspective in life.
By. Gregoria Barbarica K.R.
International Intern – The May 18 Memorial Foundation
Gwangju, South Korea
December 5, 2008
Photos by.
1. Pete Erlano Rahon
2. Yori
Links:
http://www.518.org/
http://www.snb.or.id/
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