G30S PKI dan Lahirnya Orde Baru: Perspektif dari Jenderal yang Selamat

The dawn of 1st October 1965 marked a significant turning point in the history of Indonesia. The failed coup attempt, known as G30S PKI, led to the emergence of a new order, Orde Baru, under the leadership of General Suharto. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the events from the perspective of a surviving general.

The Prelude to G30S PKI

The Gerakan 30 September, or G30S PKI, was a failed coup attempt by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). The PKI, at the time, was the third-largest communist party in the world, after China and the Soviet Union. The party had been gaining significant influence in Indonesia, causing unease among the military and political elites. The coup attempt was a desperate bid by the PKI to seize power, but it ended in failure and led to a brutal backlash against the communists.

The Night of the Coup

On the night of 30th September 1965, a group of military officers, allegedly backed by the PKI, kidnapped and murdered six high-ranking army generals. The coup plotters claimed that they were preventing a military coup against President Sukarno. However, the coup attempt was quickly crushed by the military under the command of General Suharto, who was not targeted by the coup plotters.

The Rise of Orde Baru

The aftermath of the failed coup attempt saw a shift in power dynamics in Indonesia. General Suharto took control of the military and effectively became the de facto ruler of the country. He launched a campaign to purge the PKI and its alleged sympathizers, leading to one of the worst mass killings in the 20th century. This marked the beginning of the Orde Baru, or New Order, which saw Suharto rule Indonesia for more than three decades.

The Legacy of G30S PKI and Orde Baru

The G30S PKI and the subsequent rise of the Orde Baru had profound impacts on Indonesia. The anti-communist purge led to the death of an estimated half a million people and the imprisonment of many more. The New Order brought stability and economic growth but was also marked by corruption, nepotism, and human rights abuses. The events of 1965 continue to cast a long shadow over Indonesia, with the country still grappling with its past.

In conclusion, the G30S PKI and the rise of the Orde Baru were pivotal events in Indonesia's history. They marked the end of the old order and the beginning of a new era under the rule of General Suharto. The events of 1965, viewed from the perspective of a surviving general, highlight the complexities and contradictions of this period. They serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of political instability and the struggle for power.