Prof. Dr. Zeffry, SS, M. Hum. was inaugurated as Permanent Professor in the field of History, Faculty of Humanities(FIB), Universitas Indonesia (UI), after delivering a scientific oration entitled “Memory Studies, Memory Politics, and Reconstruction of Nation Building”. The inauguration was led directly by the Rector of UI, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., was held Wednesday (6/9), at the Convention Hall, UI Depok Campus.
In his oration, Prof. Zeffry conveyed the important role of memory studies, especially regarding political memory, in the development of a nation. Over the past three decades, the study of memory has become an increasingly popular topic for scientific study. This surge in memory research contributed greatly to ways of considering a variety of issues, including how political and cultural systems facilitate, remember, or silence historical events.
Memory is defined as a dynamic entity that can be recreated in dialogue with political, social and cultural powers. Politicians often use a collective understanding of the past to mobilize memory as a political instrument for the present. In certain cases, they strategically use the past and manipulate memories to legitimize their actions by referring to formative events in the community’s collective consciousness.
Collective memory is generally narrated in various ways using various instruments, both through persuasive and coercive actions. Such actions are usually referred to as nationalism projects which are carried out to ensure that citizens maintain their nationalistic side, in addition to forming a shared awareness of the collective memory that has been selected. Various reconstructions and reproductions of these events then become material for study in memory studies.
Memory issues often touch on topics sensitive to the state, namely those related to national and ethnic identity, foreign policy, post-conflict reconstruction, trauma from the impact of authoritarian regimes, and violations of human rights (HAM). These human rights violations usually include violence, genocide, racism, discrimination, xenophobia and chauvinism which result in trauma and dark historical wounds.
In Indonesia, memory studies relate to the trauma of the events of 1965, GAM Aceh, East Timor, the events of 1998, inter-ethnic conflicts, and various repressions from the New Order legacy. After almost 22 years since reform, on January 11th 2023, President Jokowi, on behalf of the Indonesian government, finally acknowledged 12 serious human rights violations that had occurred in Indonesia from 1965–2003. This recognition is based on the results of selection by the Non-Judicial Resolution Team for Past Serious Human Rights Violations (PPHAM).
To build public awareness about the importance of the values of peace, the state and university institutions are expected to support research projects, specifically to provide examples in exposing past mistakes, for the sake of creating a better Indonesian Nation Building in the future. The trauma of past events produces memories that will shape the narrative to build a better future identity for the nation. The politics of memory not only awakens the romance of the past for the present, but also strengthens the values and identity of the nation.
Study by Prof. Zeffry regarding memory studies is one of many studies that have been carried out. Several other studies that have been published include A Pseudo-Rebellion: Ujung Berung Metalheads in the Contestation of Identity Space in Bandung, 2010–2022 (2023); Challenging the Promise of Decentralization: the Case of Marginalization of Mosalaki Role in Nggela Village in Ende Lio, Flores (2023); and Critical Literature Study on Habaib Identity in the Constellation of Islamic Studies in Indonesia from the Colonial Period to the Present (2022).
Apart from scientific work, Prof. Zeffry is also skilled at writing poetry books. Several of his poetry books have won awards and have been translated into various foreign languages. The poem book Dari Batavia Sampai Jakarta: Sejarah Perkembangan Kota Jakarta dalam Sajak won the First Prize for Best Poem Book from the Jakarta Arts Council in 2000 and won the First Best Literature Book Prize from the Buku Utama Ikapi Foundation in 2002. Meanwhile, the Post Kolonial dan Wisata Sejarah dalam Sajak poetry book won the First Prize in the Best Poetry Book Category from the Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2012.
Prof. Dr. Zeffry, SS, M. Hum. is a lecturer in the Department of History as well as a lecturer in the FIB UI Russian Study Program. He graduated from the Faculty of Literature, Bachelor of Russian Literature, UI (1986); UI Masters in American Regional Studies (1996); and Doctor in History FIB UI (2006). He also served as Secretary of the FIB UI Russian Study Program (1990–1993), Secretary of the Diploma Program (1993–1996), Secretary of American Regional Studies (1997–2002, Assistant Dean I FIB UI (2000), Head of Research FIB UI (2002– 2004), Manager of Research and Community Service FIB UI (2004–2008), and Head of Research Division of PPKB FIB UI (2016–2020).
The inauguration procession of professor Prof. Zeffry was also attended by National University Professor, Prof. Dr. Umar Basalim; Rector of the Jakarta Arts Institute, Dr. Indah Tjahjawulan, M.Sn.; as well as the Founders of PT Radian Utama Group and Brawijaya Healthacare Group, Sulaiman Ganis, MBA, and Dr. Ir. Ahmad Ganis, M.Si.