The number of rape victims in the May 1998 riots exceeded 50

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Adi Ahdiat 16/06/2025 12:50 WIB

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According to the findings of the TGPF (Tim Gabungan Pencari Fakta/Joint Fact-Finding Team), the number of rape victims in the May 1998 riots exceeded 50.

Number of Rape/Sexual Violence Victims in the May 1998 Riots in Indonesia

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The number of rape victims in the May 1998 riots exceeded 50

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Number of Rape/Sexual Violence Victims in the May 1998 Riots in Indonesia

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Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon doubts the occurrence of mass rape during the May 1998 riots.

He stated this in an interview about the rewriting of history with senior journalist Uni Zulfiani Lubis of IDN Times.

"Mass rape? Who says so? There's never been any proof. It's a story. If there is, show it, is it in the history books?" said Fadli Zon, as quoted by Tempo.co (June 16, 2025).

This statement contradicts the findings of the Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) on the May 1998 Riots, which comprised members from the government, the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), non-governmental organizations, and other civil organizations.

"In July 1998, the government formed the TGPF with the task of investigating the May riots, including the rapes that occurred," stated the TGPF in the Report of the Volunteer Team for Humanity (November 1999).

"The TGPF found evidence of sexual violence in Jakarta and its surroundings, Medan, and Surabaya," they said.

According to the TGPF's findings, cases of sexual violence during the May 1998 riots occurred in homes, on the streets, and in businesses.

Most cases involved gang rape, where victims were raped by several people in turns at the same time. Most rapes were also committed in the presence of others.

"Not all victims of violence were of Chinese ethnicity, but the majority of sexual violence cases during the May 1998 riots were suffered by Chinese women. These victims of sexual violence also spanned across social classes," said the TGPF.

The following details the number of rape victims and other victims of sexual violence during the May 1998 riots in Indonesia, according to the TGPF's verified findings:

Rape Victims: 52 people

Directly heard from: 3 victims
Medically examined by a doctor: 9 victims
Information obtained from the victim's parents: 3 victims
Information obtained from witnesses (nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists): 10 victims
Information obtained from religious leaders/support personnel (counselors): 27 victims

Rape Victims with Assault: 14 people

Information obtained from doctors: 3 victims
Information obtained from eyewitnesses (family): 10 victims
Information obtained from counselors: 1 victim

Victims of Sexual Assault/Abuse: 10 people

Information obtained from victims: 3 victims
Information obtained from religious leaders: 3 victims
Information obtained from witnesses (family): 3 victims
Information obtained from doctors: 1 victim

Victims of Sexual Harassment: 9 people

Information obtained from victims: 1 victim
Information obtained from witnesses: 8 victims (from Jakarta)

Editor : Adi Ahdiat

"Disclosure: This is an AI-generated translation of the original article. We strive for accuracy, but please note that automated translations may contain errors or slight inconsistencies."