SUPERSEMAR & Teori KONSPIRASI! | #HistorytellingJASMERAH

Summary

The video delves into the mysterious history of Supersemar (Surat Perintah 11 Maret), a pivotal decree issued on March 11, 1966, transferring power from President Sukarno to General Suharto. The decree marked the transition from Indonesia’s Old Order to the New Order, yet its authenticity remains a hot topic of debate. The original document has never been found, and various conspiracy theories suggest its true origins may lie in foreign influence or later fabrication. The video explores these theories and reflects on the ongoing mystery of Supersemar, encouraging viewers to contemplate the true history behind this significant moment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Supersemar, or Surat Perintah 11 Maret, is a mandate letter from President Soekarno to General Soeharto transferring power.
• 😀 The letter was signed on March 11, 1966, amid a national crisis and widespread unrest in Indonesia.
• 😀 Supersemar marked a turning point between the Old Order (Soekarno) and the New Order (Soeharto) in Indonesia's political history.
• 😀 The authenticity of the original Supersemar document is still debated, as no original manuscript has been found.
• 😀 The political situation leading to Supersemar involved growing frustration with Soekarno’s leadership, including high inflation, economic collapse, and social unrest.
• 😀 President Soekarno appointed General Soeharto as the Commander of the Army in October 1965 to stabilize the situation and manage opposition groups.
• 😀 The controversy surrounding Supersemar involves whether it was a legitimate transfer of power or merely a security mandate to address political instability.
• 😀 The Supersemar led to the dismantling of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and the arrest of political figures supporting Soekarno.
• 😀 The legitimacy of Supersemar has been questioned due to discrepancies in the documents, with some versions showing signs of being written after 1970 using modern technology.
• 😀 There are conspiracy theories suggesting foreign involvement, particularly from the United States, in the events surrounding Supersemar and the subsequent rise of Soeharto's power.

Q & A

What is Supersemar and why is it significant in Indonesian history?

Supersemar (Surat Perintah 11 Maret) is a letter signed by President Soekarno on March 11, 1966, which transferred authority to General Soeharto. This document marked the transition from Indonesia's Old Order to the New Order regime, signaling the start of Soeharto's leadership and the decline of Soekarno's rule.

What were the political circumstances leading to the creation of Supersemar?

The creation of Supersemar occurred after the political turmoil caused by the 1965 G30S coup attempt, which resulted in the deaths of six generals. There was widespread public anger, particularly among anti-communist factions, who blamed the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) for the incident. This unrest, along with economic instability, led to the appointment of Soeharto as the Commander of the Indonesian Army and the eventual creation of Supersemar.

How did President Soekarno react to the growing unrest in Indonesia before Supersemar?

Before Supersemar, President Soekarno faced intense public pressure. Despite suspicions about the PKI's involvement in the G30S, Soekarno refused to dissolve the PKI, as it was a powerful political party at the time. He also faced economic challenges, including inflation, falling exports, and a decline in public welfare, which further fueled the dissatisfaction.

What were the main demands of the Tritura (Three Demands) issued by Indonesian students and military factions?

The Tritura, issued in January 1966, had three main demands: 1) the dissolution of the PKI, 2) the removal of pro-PKI elements from Soekarno’s cabinet, and 3) the reduction of prices in response to the severe inflation affecting the Indonesian people.

Why was Supersemar controversial, and what theories exist about its authenticity?

Supersemar has been controversial because the original document was never found, leading to doubts about its authenticity. Several theories suggest that the document may have been forged, with some arguing that it was not written in 1966, but later with modern equipment, or even outside Indonesia with foreign involvement, particularly from the United States.

What was the impact of Supersemar on Soekarno's presidency?

Supersemar marked the beginning of Soeharto's rise to power, with Soeharto using the mandate to make decisions that undermined Soekarno's authority. Eventually, Soekarno was pushed out of power, and his position as the 'President for Life' was revoked, leading to his downfall in 1967.

What role did Soeharto play after receiving the Supersemar mandate?

After receiving the Supersemar mandate, Soeharto used it to take control of Indonesia’s government. He dissolved the PKI, arrested ministers loyal to Soekarno, and asserted control over the media. These actions consolidated his power and effectively sidelined Soekarno, transitioning Indonesia to the New Order regime.

What did Soekarno claim about the purpose of the Supersemar document?

Soekarno claimed that the purpose of Supersemar was not to transfer power but to maintain security, particularly for himself and his family. He insisted that the document was meant to give Soeharto the authority to handle the security crisis, not to allow Soeharto to take over the presidency.

What is the significance of the multiple versions of Supersemar that exist today?

There are multiple versions of Supersemar, stored in different institutions, including the Indonesian National Archives. These versions have sparked debates about the authenticity of the document, as none of them have been conclusively proven to be the original. The discrepancies between the versions further fuel conspiracy theories surrounding Supersemar.

How do conspiracy theories about Supersemar relate to its potential involvement with foreign entities?

Some conspiracy theories suggest that Supersemar was not written in Indonesia or in 1966. These theories propose that it was written later using modern equipment or that foreign entities, such as the United States, played a role in its creation, especially considering Soeharto’s strong ties with the U.S. government. This has led to speculation that the document was part of a larger geopolitical strategy.