Breaking the Silence: Survivors Speak about 1965–66 Violence in Indonesia

Edited by former political prisoner Putu Oka Sukanta, this collection brings together voices from people around the archipelago who experienced the 1965–66 violence in Indonesia. Fifteen witnesses from Medan, Palu, Kendari, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Bali, Kupang and Sabu Island share stories of how they navigated this horrifying period of Indonesian history and how they have lived with this past. These are ordinary people who worked as teachers, artists, women’s activists and policemen before their lives were turned upside down when those considered to be supporters of the Indonesian Communist Party began to be attacked. These accounts, including one from a perpetrator who is now tormented by guilt, and others from survivors who still feel isolated and rejected by society, show how the violence continues to influence Indonesian society. This book will be a valuable resource for students of history, of Indonesia and for people wanting to under­stand the impact of the 1965–66 violence.