POLITIK PAK SOEHARTO | MENJABAT PRESIDEN INDONESIA SELAMA 32 TAHUN

Summary

The video discusses President Soeharto's long tenure as Indonesia's second president, who served for 32 years from 1968 to 1998. It highlights key political strategies during his regime, such as party fusion, government control over the press, and the role of the military in politics. The script also compares the political landscape of the New Order era to modern policies, such as the neutrality of civil servants in the upcoming 2024 elections. Additionally, it touches on the revision of Indonesia's constitution to limit presidential terms after Soeharto's rule, and how his leadership shaped the country's political system.

Takeaways

• 😀 Soeharto served as the second President of Indonesia from March 27, 1968, to May 21, 1998, holding office for 32 years, the longest tenure of any Indonesian president.
• 😀 Soeharto was known as 'Bapak Pembangunan Indonesia' (Father of Indonesia's Development) due to his role in transforming the country during his rule.
• 😀 One of Soeharto's key strategies to maintain political power was the fusion of political parties, reducing the number of parties from 29 to two main ones, P3 and PDI, through legal changes.
• 😀 The party fusion aimed to increase political stability and reduce ideological fragmentation, although it heavily favored Soeharto's Golkar party.
• 😀 During the Orde Baru (New Order), government employees (ASN) were required to support Golkar in elections, which helped secure the party's dominance.
• 😀 Media freedom was severely restricted during Soeharto's rule; press coverage was censored to align with government narratives and highlight the success of state programs.
• 😀 ABRI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) played a dual role during the New Order, functioning as both security forces and political actors, occupying key positions in government and the legislature.
• 😀 The heavy involvement of ABRI in politics led to an imbalance in the democratic process, with military personnel taking prominent roles in civilian government.
• 😀 The Indonesian Constitution allowed the president to serve more than two terms, which was crucial in enabling Soeharto to stay in power for multiple decades.
• 😀 This provision in the Constitution (Article 7) was later amended during the Reformasi era to limit the president to only one re-election, marking a significant political shift after Soeharto's era.

Q & A

Who was Soeharto, and what was his significant contribution to Indonesia?

Soeharto was the second President of Indonesia, serving for 32 years from March 27, 1968, to May 21, 1998. He is known for his long rule, during which he focused on Indonesia's development, earning him the nickname 'Bapak Pembangunan' or 'Father of Development.'

What political strategies did Soeharto implement during his presidency?

Soeharto implemented political strategies such as party fusion and simplification, where 29 political parties were merged into just two major parties, P3 and PDI, to ensure political stability and reduce ideological diversity. This was done through the 1975 political party law.

How did Soeharto’s political party fusion strategy affect the political landscape?

The party fusion helped streamline the political scene, creating a more stable environment. However, it also favored the Golkar Party, which was closely aligned with Soeharto's government, ensuring its dominance in the political process.

What role did civil servants (ASN) play in the 2024 elections compared to the Orde Baru era?

In the 2024 elections, civil servants (ASN) were required to remain neutral and avoid political endorsements on social media. This was in contrast to the Orde Baru era, where ASN were expected to vote exclusively for Golkar, the ruling party.

What were the restrictions on the press during Soeharto’s rule?

During Soeharto’s rule, there was a lack of press freedom, with the media required to align with government interests. News outlets were expected to highlight the government's successes and broadcast pro-government content, such as nightly programs showcasing the administration’s achievements.

How did Soeharto use the military (ABRI) in his political system?

Soeharto integrated the military into the political system by giving members of ABRI (the military) the ability to hold political positions, such as in the DPR, MPR, and regional leadership. This integration facilitated easier governance, but eventually led to the military dominating the political landscape.

What was the significance of Soeharto’s long presidency and the legal framework around it?

Soeharto’s extended presidency was made possible by the constitutional framework at the time, which allowed the president to serve multiple terms if re-elected. This provision, found in Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution, was changed during the reform era to limit the presidency to two terms.

How did the role of the military influence Indonesian democracy under Soeharto?

The military's involvement in both security and political roles under Soeharto disrupted the democratic process, leading to imbalances in governance. This led to the military’s dominance in many aspects of Indonesian politics, ultimately compromising democratic principles.

What changes to the Indonesian constitution were made regarding presidential term limits after Soeharto’s rule?

After Soeharto’s rule, the Indonesian constitution was amended during the reform era to limit the presidency to two terms. The revision specifically altered Article 7 of the 1945 Constitution to restrict the president and vice president to serve only two consecutive terms.

What were the key factors that allowed Soeharto to remain in power for over three decades?

Soeharto’s long tenure was facilitated by his political strategies, including party fusion, control over the media, military integration into politics, and the constitutional framework that allowed for indefinite re-election. His ability to maintain a stable political environment and suppress opposition was crucial to his prolonged rule.