Contemporary History of Indonesia between Historical Truth and Group Purpose

Abstract

<p>Contemporary history is the very latest history at which the historic event traces are close and still encountered by us at the present day. As a just away event which seems still exists, it becomes controversial about when the historical event is actually called contemporary. Characteristic of contemporary history genre is complexity of an event and its interpretation. For cases in Indonesia, contemporary history usually begins from 1945. It is so because not only all documents, files and other primary sources have not been uncovered and learned by public yet where historical reconstruction can be made in a whole, but also a fact that some historical figures and persons are still alive. This last point summons protracted historical debate when there are some collective or personal memories and political consideration and present power. The historical facts are often provided to please one side, while disagreeable fact is often hidden from other side. The article aims to discuss some subject matter of contemporary history in Indonesia as they are printed in history textbook for school, along with varies issues. The article will make correction about context of some issues that they actually used as discussion topic among teachers of history. In the last part of this article, it will outline on how we respond to contemporary history of Indonesia. Conclusion is made that in context of contemporary history in Indonesia, it found two interests, i.e. for historical truth and group purpose.</p>