PETRUS KETIKA SUHARTO MURKA! MENGHABISI PARA PENJAHAT DENGAN CIRI CIRI BERTATO

Summary

The 'Petrus' operation, conducted during Indonesia's New Order era, involved the extrajudicial killing of thousands of individuals, predominantly suspected criminals and gang members, under the guise of maintaining public order. Despite initial government denials, President Suharto later admitted the state's involvement, revealing the campaign's intent to instill fear. The operation, marked by brutal executions and widespread disappearances, sparked public debate over its morality and necessity. While some saw it as a necessary measure against crime, others viewed it as a grave violation of human rights, leaving a dark legacy in Indonesian history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Petrus (Mysterious Shootings) operation was a controversial and brutal campaign by the Indonesian government during the New Order era, aimed at eliminating perceived criminals and preman (thugs).
• 😀 The operation took place between 1983 and 1985 and targeted anyone considered a threat to the social order, including petty criminals, gang members, and even individuals with tattoos symbolizing criminal affiliations.
• 😀 The government initially denied involvement in Petrus, but President Soeharto later admitted that the operation was aimed at instilling fear and discipline among criminals to maintain public order.
• 😀 Many victims of Petrus were extrajudicially executed, with their bodies often left in public places or remote areas. The total number of victims is disputed, ranging from over 1,000 to as many as 10,000.
• 😀 Some victims, like Bati Mulyono, managed to escape, living in hiding for years to avoid being targeted by the operation, even fleeing to neighboring countries.
• 😀 Survivors, such as Abu Santoso, recount their experiences of being hunted by unknown assailants and narrowly escaping death, with some victims not knowing why they were targeted.
• 😀 The operation’s victims were typically subjected to torture and executed, with many found with envelopes containing money for their burial, raising further questions about the secrecy and scale of the operation.
• 😀 Media outlets were silenced during the operation, and the government tried to suppress public knowledge of the killings, leaving the true extent of the operation hidden from the public eye for many years.
• 😀 Despite the official end of the Petrus operation in 1985, it left a lasting impact on Indonesia’s public psyche, with many Indonesians living in fear of arbitrary state violence against perceived criminals.
• 😀 The *Petrus* operation serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked government power and the ethical and human rights concerns surrounding extrajudicial killings, even if they are framed as necessary for public safety.

Q & A

What was the *Petrus* operation, and why was it significant during the New Order era?

The *Petrus* operation, also known as the 'Mysterious Shootings' (Penembakan Misterius), was a state-sanctioned campaign during Indonesia's New Order under President Soeharto, aimed at eliminating criminals, particularly street thugs or 'preman.' It was significant due to its brutal, extrajudicial tactics, where suspects were often executed without trial, creating a legacy of fear and controversy around human rights violations.

Why were the victims of the *Petrus* operation primarily criminals?

The primary targets of the *Petrus* operation were criminals, particularly preman (street thugs), petty thieves, and individuals involved in organized crime. The government viewed this group as a threat to societal order, and the operation was intended to eliminate them in a violent crackdown on crime.

What role did Soeharto play in the *Petrus* operation?

Soeharto, as the President of Indonesia, initially denied involvement in the *Petrus* operation. However, in his autobiography, he later acknowledged that the operation was intended to instill fear in criminals and maintain social order, even though he distanced himself from the direct execution of the killings.

How did the public perceive the *Petrus* operation, and what were the differing views on it?

The public perception of the *Petrus* operation was divided. Some saw it as a necessary measure to rid society of criminals and restore peace, while others condemned it for its brutal methods and violation of human rights. The operation instilled fear among the public, with many criminal suspects fleeing or going into hiding.

What was the official explanation for the *Petrus* killings, and how did this change over time?

Initially, the government attributed the killings to gang conflicts, denying direct involvement in the *Petrus* operations. Over time, however, Soeharto and other officials admitted that the government had a hand in orchestrating the killings, acknowledging that the operation was intended to deter crime through violence and terror.

What are the estimated number of victims, and how did researchers arrive at different conclusions?

Estimates of the number of victims of the *Petrus* operation vary widely. Some researchers estimate as few as 1,000 victims, while others, such as Dutch researcher Hans van den Bok, suggest as many as 3,000, and a study by David Bille of Monash University even suggests up to 10,000 deaths. The variation in estimates comes from the lack of official records and the secretive nature of the operation.

What happened to survivors of the *Petrus* operation, and how did they evade death?

Survivors of the *Petrus* operation, such as Bati Mulyana and Abu Santoso, evaded death through a combination of luck, hiding, and relocating frequently. Some survivors went into hiding for years, while others sought refuge in neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore, often using false identities or multiple passports.

Why were some of the victims tortured before being executed in the *Petrus* operation?

Victims of the *Petrus* operation were often tortured before execution as part of a strategy to instill fear in others and serve as a public deterrent. The torture was also meant to extract confessions or information about criminal activities, but it further emphasized the brutality of the operation.

How did the *Petrus* operation affect the criminal population and society at large?

The *Petrus* operation caused widespread fear among both criminals and the general population. Criminals were forced into hiding or even resorted to drastic measures, such as removing their tattoos, which were seen as symbols of criminality. The general public, though divided in their views, was impacted by the atmosphere of terror and the widespread human rights violations.

What is the legacy of the *Petrus* operation, and how is it viewed today?

The legacy of the *Petrus* operation is one of controversy and fear. It is seen by some as an effective but extreme solution to crime, while others view it as a dark chapter in Indonesia's history marked by human rights abuses. The operation’s impact is still felt today, as it raises questions about the use of state violence and the importance of justice and due process in law enforcement.