Apakah Militer Terlibat G30S? Mengapa? | Episode Pertama

Summary

This video script explores the intricate political and military dynamics in Indonesia leading up to the 30th September Movement (G30S) in 1965. It delves into the rise of the Indonesian Army (Angkatan Darat) as a powerful political force following Indonesia's independence, highlighting internal military rivalries and the tense relationship with the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI). The script discusses President Soekarno's attempts to balance power between the military and PKI, as well as the Cold War influence, ultimately setting the stage for the military's eventual coup against Soekarno's regime.

Takeaways

• 😀 The G30S (Gestapu) incident provided a significant opportunity for the Indonesian Army to seize full control of the government.
• 😀 The Army's involvement in G30S was influenced by both internal military factionalism and external conflicts with the PKI and Soekarno's government.
• 😀 The Indonesian military, initially divided between professional soldiers and local militias, faced internal conflicts, including clashes between military factions and political ideologies.
• 😀 The military's role in Indonesia expanded after the establishment of the TNI, especially in the context of Indonesia's struggles with external aggression and internal stability.
• 😀 Soekarno's shift to a Guided Democracy in 1959 enabled the military to increase its political power, narrowing the influence of political parties and fostering military control over civil governance.
• 😀 President Soekarno attempted to balance military and PKI influences, fearing that one group's dominance would jeopardize his rule, but this balance was fragile and led to tensions.
• 😀 Conflicts between the military (Army) and PKI were marked by the latter's increasing radicalism and the Army's efforts to block its rise, even though they avoided direct confrontation with Soekarno.
• 😀 Despite political fragmentation, the Indonesian military continued to play a central role in defending the country and suppressing movements such as PRRI and Permesta, strengthening its influence.
• 😀 In 1962, Soekarno attempted to mitigate the Army's growing power by replacing General Nasution with General Ahmad Yani, who was seen as loyal to him, further dividing the military into factions.
• 😀 The military’s unity against the PKI became the common ground for factions within the Army, leading to collaboration despite internal disagreements, with the ultimate goal of overthrowing Soekarno and the PKI.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 30th September Movement (G30S) in Indonesian history?

The G30S is a pivotal event in Indonesian history, marking an attempted coup by the PKI against the Indonesian military, which ultimately led to the military's rise to power and the fall of President Soekarno's government. The event played a major role in the shift from a civilian-led government to a military dictatorship under General Suharto.

How did the Indonesian military come to play a central role in politics after independence?

After Indonesia gained independence, the military was fragmented into professional units and regional militias with diverse ideologies. Due to political instability and weak democratic systems, the military gradually became more involved in politics, especially during the era of Guided Democracy (1959–1965), when Soekarno relied on the military to maintain control.

What was the relationship between President Soekarno and the military during the Guided Democracy period?

During Guided Democracy, Soekarno relied on the military to maintain power but also sought to manage its influence. He balanced the competing interests of the military and the PKI, attempting to control both to avoid military dominance. However, as the military's power grew, Soekarno became increasingly concerned about its threat to his authority.

How did the military factions within the Indonesian Army differ during the early 1960s?

In the early 1960s, the Indonesian military was divided into two factions: the pro-Soekarno 'Central Faction,' led by figures like Letjen Ahmad Yani, which supported Soekarno's policies, and the 'Right-wing Faction,' led by General Nasution and Major General Soeharto, which was more conservative and opposed Soekarno's alignment with the PKI.

What role did the PKI play in Indonesia’s politics during Soekarno's presidency?

The PKI was a key ally of President Soekarno, providing mass support for his leadership, especially during times of political instability. Soekarno used the PKI as a counterbalance to the growing military power, but this alliance ultimately contributed to escalating tensions between the military and the PKI, culminating in the G30S.

What were the key events that led to the breakdown of relations between the Indonesian military and the PKI?

Key events that led to the breakdown included the PKI's increasing radicalism, with mass mobilizations and actions that threatened the military's power. The military, in turn, began to see the PKI as a direct threat and began to prepare for a confrontation, using the PKI's actions as a pretext for military action, leading to the G30S.

Why was Soekarno's political system seen as weak, and how did that contribute to the military’s rise?

Soekarno's political system, especially the parliamentary democracy in the early years, was weak and unstable, marked by constant political infighting and poor governance. This instability allowed the military to step in as a stabilizing force, and over time, the military began to assume more control, particularly after the implementation of Guided Democracy.

How did the Cold War influence Indonesia's political dynamics and the military's role?

During the Cold War, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union were involved in Indonesia, providing military and economic aid to different factions. The U.S. supported the Indonesian military as a counter to communism, while the Soviet Union and China supported the PKI. This external influence exacerbated internal tensions, with the military leveraging Cold War dynamics to solidify its power.

What were the immediate consequences of the G30S on the Indonesian political landscape?

The G30S resulted in the military successfully crushing the PKI and eliminating its influence in Indonesian politics. It marked the beginning of the military's direct control over the government, leading to Soeharto's eventual rise to power and the establishment of the New Order regime, which lasted until 1998.

What does the internal military division during the 1960s reveal about the Indonesian Army's role in politics?

The internal division within the military, with factions loyal to either Soekarno or opposing him, highlights the complex power dynamics within the Indonesian Army. Despite these divisions, the military was united in its goal to suppress the PKI and ultimately seize control of the state. This infighting shows that the military, while internally fragmented, played a decisive role in shaping the nation's political future.