Sejarah Berdarah KRISIS MONETER INDONESIA (Peristiwa MEI 1998)

Summary

From May 13 to May 15, 1998, Indonesia experienced one of its darkest moments, sparked by the Asian financial crisis and the killing of four Trisakti University students during protests on May 12, 1998. This tragedy ignited widespread demonstrations and riots fueled by frustrations over the oppressive New Order regime, corruption, and economic inequality. Anti-Chinese sentiments grew, leading to violent unrest across the country. As protests escalated, students demanded reform, culminating in the resignation of President Soeharto on May 21, 1998, marking a significant turning point in Indonesia’s political history.

Takeaways

• 📉 The Asian financial crisis of 1997 severely impacted Indonesia, leading to inflation and economic instability.
• 😢 The Trisakti tragedy on May 12, 1998, where four students were shot and killed during a peaceful protest, sparked nationwide unrest.
• ⚖️ The oppressive dictatorship under the New Order regime, marked by human rights violations, censorship, authoritarian control, and corruption, fueled public frustration.
• 📈 Indonesia's economic collapse saw the rupiah's value plummet from Rp 2,600 to Rp 14,900 against the U.S. dollar, worsening inflation and unemployment.
• 👨‍🎓 Student-led protests began in December 1997 and gained momentum by February 1998, spreading from cities like Yogyakarta and Surabaya to Jakarta.
• ⚠️ Ethnic Chinese Indonesians became targets of violence and discrimination due to economic disparities, with anti-Chinese sentiment rising amid the crisis.
• 🚶‍♂️ The May 12, 1998, peaceful protest turned violent when police opened fire on students, even as they retreated, leading to widespread anger and demonstrations.
• 🔥 The aftermath of the Trisakti incident saw mass riots, looting, and destruction, spreading from Jakarta to other cities, including Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi.
• 🎓 On May 18, 1998, students and activists from across Indonesia converged on Jakarta, calling for reforms and demanding President Soeharto's resignation.
• 👋 Facing overwhelming opposition, President Soeharto resigned on May 21, 1998, and was succeeded by Burhanuddin Jusuf Habibie.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in Indonesia during May 13th to 15th, 1998?

A series of events that led to widespread unrest and violence occurred, including the financial crisis that began in 1997 and the tragic shooting of four students from Trisakti University during a peaceful demonstration on May 12th, 1998.

How did the financial crisis in Asia affect Indonesia in 1997?

The financial crisis led to a severe devaluation of the Indonesian Rupiah from around Rp 2,600 to Rp 14,900 against the US dollar, causing a sharp economic downturn with increased prices for basic needs, higher unemployment rates, and increased dropout rates.

What were the main causes of the heavy human rights violations during the New Order government in Indonesia?

The main causes included oppressive dictatorship, mass opinion suppression, authoritarian control, kidnappings, detention of community figures, and rampant corruption, collusion, and nepotism.

How did the economic disparity between ethnic Chinese and indigenous Indonesians contribute to the unrest?

The economic disparity led to the ethnic Chinese community being perceived as more stable and strategic, which in turn resulted in them being subjected to various accusations and slander, such as being communist supporters and hoarders of food, leading to increased resentment.

What was the outcome of the peaceful demonstration on May 12th, 1998, by students and staff?

The demonstration ended tragically when police opened fire on the returning students, killing four from Trisakti University, and injuring many others with tear gas and continued gunfire.

Who were the four students from Trisakti University that were killed during the demonstration?

The four students were Hendriawan Sie, Hafidin Royan, Heri Hartanto, and Elang Mulia Lesmana.

How did the tragedy at Trisakti University spark further unrest?

The tragedy ignited widespread anger and led to demonstrations and riots that started around the Trisakti University campus and spread to other areas including Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi, and other cities.

What was the initial focus of the student demonstrations before the tragedy at Trisakti University?

The initial focus of the student demonstrations was to protest against the government's corruption, collusion, and nepotism, and to demand reforms in the Indonesian government system.

What was the turning point that led to President Soeharto's resignation?

The turning point was when 14 ministers of the Cabinet Development VII (seventh) refused to serve in the Reform Cabinet that President Soeharto wanted to form to stabilize the situation, leading to his resignation on May 21st, 1998.

Who succeeded President Soeharto after his resignation?

Burhanuddin Jusuf Habibie succeeded Soeharto as the President of Indonesia following his resignation.

How did the initial protests against the tragedy shift in sentiment during the unrest?

The initial protests, which were against the tragedy affecting students, were diverted into anti-Chinese sentiment, as indicated by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).

Outlines

00:00

😢 The Dark Days of Indonesia's History

The script describes a series of unfortunate events that took place in Indonesia from May 13 to 15, 1998. It began with the Asian financial crisis that hit Indonesia in 1997, leading to a severe economic downturn. The crisis was compounded by the killing of four students from Trisakti University during a demonstration on May 12, 1998, which sparked widespread unrest. The oppressive rule during the New Order era, characterized by heavy human rights violations, mass arrests, authoritarian control, kidnappings, detentions of societal figures, and rampant corruption, led to public frustration. The economic crisis resulted in soaring inflation, increased prices of basic necessities, and higher unemployment and dropout rates, which fueled student-led protests across the country. The script also highlights the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment due to economic disparities, leading to the scapegoating of the Chinese minority. The tragic shooting of Trisakti students on May 12, 1998, became a catalyst for public anger and subsequent demonstrations and riots.

05:02

🔥 The Spread of Riots and the Fall of Soeharto

Following the tragic events at Trisakti University, riots erupted around the campus and quickly spread to other areas, including Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi, and beyond. The unrest continued until May 15, 1998, affecting the entire nation. Initially triggered by protests against the tragedy involving students, the riots were redirected towards anti-Chinese sentiment. Student demonstrations demanding reforms in the Indonesian government, which was perceived as corrupt and nepotistic, intensified. On May 18, 1998, students and activists from various regions converged in Jakarta with a common goal: to pressure President Soeharto to resign. The peak of the demonstrations saw students occupying the Indonesian Parliament building. On May 20, 1998, Soeharto received a letter from 14 ministers of his cabinet refusing to serve in the proposed Reform Cabinet, leading to his decision to step down. Soeharto officially resigned on May 21, 1998, and was succeeded by B.J. Habibie.

Keywords

💡Financial Crisis

A financial crisis is a situation where the value of assets like stocks and property falls sharply, often causing economic hardship. In the video's context, the financial crisis of 1997 in Asia, including Indonesia, led to a sharp devaluation of the Indonesian Rupiah against the US Dollar, causing severe economic downturn and contributing to social unrest.

💡Human Rights Abuses

Human rights abuses refer to violations of the rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. In the video's narrative, the oppressive rule during the New Order era in Indonesia led to heavy human rights abuses, including mass arrests, authoritarian control, kidnappings, and detentions of community figures.

💡Inflation

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and subsequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling. In the video, Indonesia experienced high inflation during the monetary crisis, which affected the cost of basic necessities and contributed to the rise in unemployment and school dropout rates.

💡Student Protests

Student protests refer to organized demonstrations led by students, usually in response to political or social issues. In the video's context, student protests were a significant part of the unrest that occurred during the economic and political crisis in Indonesia.

Highlights

The financial crisis began in Asia in 1997, including Indonesia.

The shooting on May 12, 1998, killed four students from Trisakti University.

Indonesia's oppressive dictatorship during the New Order era led to severe human rights violations.

The economic crisis in July 1997 caused hyperinflation in Indonesia.

The Indonesian Rupiah sharply devalued against the US dollar.

The economic downturn led to increased basic necessities prices, unemployment, and school dropout rates.

Student-led protests started in December 1997, escalating in early 1998.

Anti-Chinese sentiment emerged due to economic disparities.

Ethnic Chinese were falsely accused of being communists and hoarders of food.

On May 12, 1998, thousands of students and staff held a peaceful demonstration.

Security forces opened fire on the returning students, killing four.

The Trisakti tragedy sparked nationwide outrage.

Riots and arson spread across Indonesia, not limited to Java.

The initial student protests were redirected into anti-Chinese sentiment.

Students demanded reforms in the Indonesian government, accused of corruption, collusion, and nepotism.

On May 18, 1998, students and activists from various regions gathered in Jakarta to pressure President Soeharto to resign.

Students occupied the Indonesian Parliament building in a peak demonstration.

On May 20, 1998, 14 ministers of the Development Cabinet VII refused to serve in the proposed Reform Cabinet.

Soeharto resigned on May 21, 1998, and was succeeded by B.J. Habibie.

Transcripts

Pada tanggal 13 Mei - 15 Mei 1998,

terjadi peristiwa yang memilukan di tanah air,

dan merupakan sejarah kelam bagi bangsa Indonesia.

Diawali dengan krisis finansial yang melanda Asia

termasuk Indonesia pada tahun 1997,

hingga penembakan yang menewaskan

4 (empat) Mahasiswa Trisakti

pada demonstrasi 12 Mei 1998,

pada akhirnya,

menjadi pemantik utama kekacauan

yang melanda Indonesia...

Kediktatoran yang opresif selama masa pemerintahan Orde Baru

menjadi sumber utama terjadinya pelanggaran HAM yang berat,

adanya pembungkaman pendapat massa,

pengendalian yang bersifat otoriter,

penculikan,

dan penahanan tokoh-tokoh masyarakat,

serta terjadinya praktik korupsi kolusi dan nepotisme yang tak tersentuh,

merupakan sebagian dari penyebab

frustasi masyarakat kepada pemerintah.

Pada bulan Juli 1997,

Indonesia dilanda oleh krisis moneter

yang menyerang kawasan Asia.

Pada saat itu,

Indonesia mengalami inflasi besar-besaran.

Kajian krisis tersebut diawali oleh didevaluasinya

nilai mata uang Baht, Thailand.

Nilai mata uang Rupiah pun terkena imbasnya,

mendaki secara tajam dari kisaran Rp 2.600

menjadi Rp 14.900 terhadap dolar amerika.

Ekonomi Indonesia pun merosot tajam

dan berakibat pada masalah-masalah lain.

Harga kebutuhan pokok,

angka pengangguran,

dan angka putus sekolah terus mengalami kenaikan.

Peristiwa ini menjadi pemicu demonstrasi

yang dipimpin oleh kaum mahasiswa.

Dimulai pada Desember 1997

hingga pertengahan Februari 1998,

protes mahasiswa terus terjadi,

terutama di luar ibu kota Jakarta,

seperti di Yogyakarta,

Surabaya,

dan Bandung.

Namun,

sejak akhir Februari 1998,

gelombang protes pun semakin meningkat

di Jakarta dan sekitarnya

Di tengah-tengah krisis moneter ini,

munculah sentimen anti-Tionghoa.

Penyebab adanya sentimen ini adalah

adanya perbedaan perekonomian,

di mana perekonomian etnis Tionghoa

relatif lebih stabil dan strategis

dibanding masyarakat pribumi.

Akibat perbedaan tersebut,

kaum etnis Tionghoa menerima

berbagai macam fitnah dan tuduhan,

seperti “penganut komunis” dan “penimbun sembako”.

Hal ini pun akhirnya memojokkan etnis Tionghoa

sebagai etnis minoritas yang dibenci

masyarakat pribumi saat itu.

Pada tanggal 12 Mei 1998,

ribuan mahasiswa bersama gabungan staf

dan dosen melakukan unjuk rasa secara damai.

Menyadari besarnya skala dari unjuk rasa ini,

aparat keamanan diturunkan untuk mengendalikan situasi.

Pihak aparat dan mahasiswa sempat melakukan negosiasi

yang berlangsung tanpa ketegangan.

Di penghujung unjuk rasa tersebut,

pihak aparat meminta para mahasiswa untuk

membubarkan diri dan kembali ke kampus,

yang dituruti oleh mahasiswa.

Namun tanpa disangka,

pihak polisi membuka tembakan api

pada rombongan mahasiswa yang sedang berjalan

kembali ke kampus.

Berlindung diri di dalam kampus pula tidak menjamin

keselamatan akibat puluhan gas air mata

yang ditembakkan ke dalam kampus,

sementara hujan peluru yang diarahkan

ke arah mahasiswa belum berhenti.

Peristiwa ini pun akhirnya menyebabkan

4 mahasiswa Universitas Trisakti wafat

yaitu Hendriawan Sie,

Hafidin Royan,

Heri Hartanto,

dan Elang Mulia Lesmana.

Tragedi Trisakti yang menyebabkan kematian

keempat mahasiswa ini

akhirnya menjadi pemantik dari sumbu

kemarahan masyarakat Indonesia.

Demonstrasi dan kerusuhan awalnya terjadi

di kawasan sekitar Kampus Trisakti,

sehari setelah peristiwa berdarah tersebut.

Kemudian,

aksi perusakan dan pembakaran yang terjadi

meluas ke kawasan lainnya,

hingga merambat ke Bogor,

Tangerang,

Bekasi,

dan kota lainnya.

Kerusuhan ini terjadi hingga tanggal 15 Mei 1998,

dan pengaruhnya meluas ke seluruh Indonesia,

tidak terbatas di dalam Pulau Jawa saja.

Tetapi,

mengutip dari Komnas HAM,

kerusuhan yang awalnya dipicu oleh protes

terhadap tragedi yang menimpa mahasiswa

dialihkan menjadi sentimen anti-Tionghoa.

Aksi demonstrasi mahasiswa makin sering dilakukan.

Mereka menuntut adanya reformasi sistem

pemerintah Indonesia yang dianggap banyak

melakukan korupsi, kolusi dan nepotisme.

Pada tanggal 18 Mei 1998,

Mahasiswa serta aktivis dari berbagai daerah

bergabung di Jakarta,

mereka memiliki tujuan yang sama,

yaitu mendesak Soeharto untuk mundur

dari jabatan Presiden.

Puncak demonstrasi adalah ketika mahasiswa

berhasil menduduki Gedung DPR/MPR RI di Senayan, Jakarta.

Pada tanggal 20 Mei 1998,

Soeharto menerima surat hasil keputusan

dari 14 Menteri Kabinet Pembangunan VII (ketujuh).

Sebanyak 14 menteri tersebut tidak bersedia

menjabat sebagai menteri pada Kabinet Reformasi

yang ingin dibentuk Presiden Soeharto

untuk menstabilkan kondisi di Tanah air saat itu.

Ditanggal yang sama,

pukul 23.00 WIB,

Soeharto pun memanggil sejumlah pejabat,

seperti Panglima ABRI, Jenderal Wiranto

hingga Mensesneg Saadilah Mursjid.

Soeharto kemudian mantap untuk meletakkan kekuasaannya.

Hingga pada akhirnya,

Soeharto mengundurkan diri dari kursi presiden

pada hari Kamis, tanggal 21 Mei 1998

pukul 09.00 WIB

dan digantikan oleh

Burhanuddin Jusuf Habibie