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To welcome Eid Al-Fitr 1444 H, Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa) arranged a fundraising campaign titled “Gift for Elderly Survivors of the ’65 Tragedy”. Organized under the Pundi Insani program, the fundraising campaign ran from April 4 to April 17, 2023, and was done in collaboration with Solidaritas Indonesia (SI) – a community comprised of survivors and families of those who endured gross human rights violations in the past, especially the 1965 tragedy. The distribution of donations was aimed at beneficiaries located within the Greater Jakarta region.

Utjikowati Fauzia, also known as Uchi, serves as the Coordinator of SI. She cordially invited IKa staff to tag along in the distribution of donations to a number of elderly survivors, with the aim to also foster meaningful connections with them. Stella Anjani and Astramus Tandang, as representatives of IKa, accompanied Uchi on a visit to three of the seven survivors who have received funds from the Pundi Insani donation program.

“The sum of money has no bearing on me. This was given to me as a sign of care,” said Utati gratefully. Utati is now 79 years old. At the mere age of 22, she had to endure an astonishing 11-year stint behind bars without ever being granted a trial. Utati’s imprisonment was a result of her joining the Pemuda Rakyat (People’s Youth) organization. “I only joined because I enjoyed dancing and singing. That was it,” she recalled with a melancholic smile.

During the visit, the other two survivors of the 1965 tragedy, Madarif (74) and Harun Sulaiman (81), were also in attendance. While Utati remained incarcerated in Bukit Duri, Jakarta, Madarif and Harun were exiled to Buru Island, Maluku. Harun quipped about the significant age gap between the two elderly men who spent their youth in exile, stating that “If I came of age in hell, then Madarif was born into it.”

During Iftar at Madarif’s residence, the two elderly gentlemen exchanged their life experiences. In contrast to Harun’s composed demeanor, Madarif exuded enthusiasm as he recounted his experiences in Buru Island. His words were imbued with a vividness as though the events had transpired only moments ago. Harun reported that his two sons had passed away. Despite his lingering grief and persistent questioning of why his sons had to depart first, his eagerness and positivity toward living life remained steadfast. Harun graciously informed his services to translate ancient Javanese script into Indonesian for those who may need it. In addition to his proficiency in Javanese literature, he also attained mastery in the realm of Javanese music.

Uchi, wrapping up the visit, conveyed her wish to preserve various belongings of the survivors of the 1965 tragedy. Not only the survivors’ personal libraries, but also the archive of intellectual works such as songs, poems, and diaries. It is hoped that the safekeeping will serve as a means of preserving the collective historical consciousness of the nation.