Rest in Peace, Buddy

A Book Review at Togamas Bookstore

‘Mati Baik-baik, Kawan’ – (Rest In Peace, Buddy) is the main theme proposed by Social Movement Institute (SMI), Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta, Tribunjogja and Togamas Bookstore in monthly Book Review on February 6, 2016 at Togamas Bookstore, Yogyakarta. This discussion presented Martin Aleida, Katrin Bandel and Pastor Baskara T. Wardaya, SJ as guest speakers and Vicky Tri Samekto as the moderator. They reviewed ‘Mati Baik-baik, Kawan (Rest in Peace, Buddy), a short story compilation written by Martin Aleida.

As a writer, Martin Aleida said that this short story compilation is an experience portrait taken from an angle of witness and victim of the politics tragedy in 1965. Started from the title, Katrin Bandel as  literary critics commented that 'rest in peace' is one condition in which one is truly ready to face death. Post-tragedy in 1965 many people died tragically, without proper treatment, decent funeral, chanting, mourners and wreaths. Such condition was called social death, because many deaths were caused by personal revenge. This situation is captured and presented by Martin Aleida in his short story compilation.

This book of stories compilation is very honest, even evoke empathy. Ironically, after New Order era, the writing themes on sexuality or urban community became trend and sort writings as Martin Aleida’s was away from the mainstream topic. Katrin Bandel thought that it was a poor condition, and it is important for us to encourage and appreciate such writing of Martin Aleida.

Pastor Baskara, SJ gave his opinion that the story is true stories of those who suffered and were the victims of political tragedy in 1965. The book is a literary work and also humane, touching, evocative and questioning on human existence. Pastor Baskara also explained the historical context of Martin Aleida’s angle, that the period of the 1950s was important phase influencing political situation in Indonesia. However, this period rarely got attention, eventhough in 1950 many important moment in Indonesian’s history happened, such as the change of federal state into republic, the first democratic election, the host of Asian-African Conference and even Agrarian Law was released at the end 1950.

During the president Sukarno period voicing democracy and anti-foreign capital, there was other political effort to hinder. The cold war between the West and the East was in turmoil. The Eastern Block initiated by Uni Soviet used art as a tool of propaganda in order to socialize government’s idea about people participation. The method has proven succeed in Eastern Europe, Africa and some Asian countries.

Then, the Western block initiated by USA also socialized abstract art movement as a counter for Soviet’s. This block emphasized on movement that persuaded people to think elite, capitalistic, anti-socialist and apart from social reality. Art should express art itself, should be separated from social and political tends, not to affiliate with political movement.

Those ways were not just an effort to eliminate people, but also wipe out critical thought. The clash between two poles of art influenced much to the development of art and literature in Indonesia, especially between LEKRA (People's Cultural Institute) and Manikebu (Manifestation of Culture).

One thought for us, what literary and art will be benefit for in humanity context. Finally, it is free choice for you. (Piaf).