Indonesian Book Banning (1997)

Medium: Literature

---

Artist: Thirteen Indonesian activist writers and authors

Confronting Bodies: Indonesian Attorney General's office

Dates of Action: Throughout 1997

Location: Indonesia

Description of Artwork: Work that criticizes the government of president Suharto.

The Incident: Thirteen books were banned in 1997 for criticizing the leadership of the Indonesian president Suharto.

Results of Incident: The persecution of Suharto's government is an ongoing phenomenon. The authors, Muchtar Pakpahan, and Wimandjaya are imprisoned for critical writings. A former Minister of Parliament, Sri-Bintang Pamungkas is charged under the anti-subversion law which could lead to his execution.

Source: Index on Censorship, 2/97