Poland (ANTARA) - While acknowledging that several types of crimes occurred during the 1998 riots in Jakarta, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said the veracity of the alleged “mass rape” incident during the riots remains in question.
He argued that the use of the term “mass” needs to be supported by robust and accurate evidence, and the incident needs to be traced back with caution since the issue is related to the nation’s good name.
“Carefulness with data and evidence” is necessary when dealing with past events, the minister said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Bali Indah Cultural Park in Strzelinko, Slupsk, Poland, on Monday.
He further argued that there was too much contradictory information about the incident, which may have led to differences in its recollection during the transition period from the end of the New Order to the beginning of the Reform era in May 1998.
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Zon said that the alleged “mass rape” of dozens of Chinese-Indonesian women during the 1998 political riots was recorded as a note and needs to be interpreted with wisdom.
“I believe sexual assaults against women happened in the past and also in the present time, but the use of the term ‘mass’ likely needs to be digged deeper,” he added.
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He again highlighted the importance of presenting more accurate evidence and solid data to verify the truth of the incident.
He said he wants “more authentic and accurate data” to avoid negative impacts on the nation’s reputation because, so far, there has been no legal proof of the incident.
He affirmed that if the alleged incident is proven, his ministry will fully support efforts to try the perpetrators in court and seek severe punishment for them.
The allegations of “mass rape” during the 1998 political riots again grabbed public attention after Zon revealed plans to launch a newly-rewritten history of Indonesia on August 17, 2025.
