Indonesia’s Struggle for Democracy and Justice was the focus that brought together over 100 people from the Indonesian community in Melbourne to Armagh, on Saturday 31 May. They gathered for a People’s Solidarity Concert: Voices from Melbourne for Indonesia as a commemoration of May 1998 and beyond. The event was organised through a collaboration between the Australia Indonesia Collective program by IofCA and the Melbourne Bergerak, a solidarity group movement by the Indonesian diaspora and Indonesian students in Melbourne. The program built upon the public discussion on intergenerational trauma held at Armagh in 2024 with the visiting team from IofC Indonesia.
The event had a focus on highlighting youth voices, in recognition of the pivotal role the youth movement played that led to the fall of President Suharto’s 32-year authoritarian regime, marking a turning point in Indonesia’s political history. The fall of the New Order regime and the beginning of the Reformation era brought new hope to the people, a sense that change was possible, and small victories have been seen since then—but many challenges remain; corruption, unresolved human right violations, environmental destruction in the name of development, intimidation of journalists, persecution of minority communities, and state violence against women. The event was an opportunity for the community in Melbourne to reflect on the promises and the unfinished struggles of the Reformation.
The event featured performers and speakers across generations sharing through monologues, songs, poetry recitations, interviews, witness statements and conversations. It also included a photo exhibition by Indonesian diaspora journalist, Bella Kusumah, a young activist who over the years collected pictures from newspapers and magazines about what happened in May 1998.
This exhibition was revealed not for revenge, but to remind that it shouldn’t happen again...if we forget, we will repeat this again' - Bella Kusumah
The exhibition was curated in collaboration with two Indonesian students, Arham who is a Masters student, and Rio who is currently studying a PhD in Fine arts at Melbourne University.
The public discussion that was part of the evening’s proceedings was an opportunity to share what happened in May 1998 across generations and bring together collective memories. Speaker Professor Vedi Hadiz from Indonesia who is currently Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute of the University of Melbourne, highlighted the importance of remembering past events, “whoever controls the past, will control the future. Who's in control of the present, will control the past.”
The evening concluded with a smoking ceremony, led by Stevie Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta man; a powerful gesture of healing, remembrance, and solidarity. “
'Same like Indonesians, we were experiencing massacre and family separations. We are gathered here in the fire to release our tensions, invite our ancestors for healings and forgiveness' - Thorpe.
With kids’ activities, tasty Indonesian food, and a warm, family-friendly vibe, the event brought the community together in solidarity and reflection — and opened doors for future collaborations. Stay tuned for what’s next!
Reporting and photo credits: Dahlia Rera