Reign Of Terror Described After Visit To Indonesia

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 61, 5 August 1965, Page 2

Reign Of Terror Described After Visit To Indonesia

A sure indication that a reign of terror permeates Indonesia is the fact that people in New Zealand who have relatives or friends in that country are careful what they say about President Sukarno. Such a case is that of a New Zealander who recently returned from visiting her daughter in Indonesia. She wishes to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals against her family. She does not claim to have a comprehensive knowledge of the politics of Indonesia, but she was able to feel fear and see it in others in the m-ethods of administration carried out in Bandung. She said the name of Sukarno is spoken of in whispers and when the name is spoken aloud, fearful respect is shown and the prefix of President is always used when referring to him. Even within the sanctuary

of a church, people are not free from observation by Sukarno's spies. She quoted a case of a woman friend who was accused by an agent of speaking in a derogatory fashion about Sukarno while attending to her prayers in a church. "There are reminders of the military might all the time. "The sight of soldiers marching is an everyday ev-ent and column after column can be seen parading up and down the streets. It is often necessary to fit one's timetable to suit these parades because traffic is frequently impeded for a long time." Regarding the economy of the area, she said, the price of food and clothes were very high and often far beyond the financial means of most people. She said some of the inhabitants enjoyed meals of goat meat, which was unpalatable, but to be preferred to other meats, which were usually too expensive to buy. Whatever "face" President Sukarno presents to the outiside world, she thinks he is 'sometimes a sentimental man. She had example of this in Bandung when his wife, Fat Wa Mati, was ill and Sukarno gave orders to cordon off the hospital, stop traffic from passing the building and suspend the air raid warnings, practices for which were held each night. This state was maintained until the leading lady of the land had recovered her health. The New Zealander arrived back at her home in June. She had spent six months in Indonesia and although she was sorry to leave her family, she was glad to be away from the oppressive political atmosphere which she thought effected everyone in the country.