Controversy of G30S PKI History and Leftish’s Attempt to Create a Positive Image
G30S PKI was a dark history for Indonesian people because it was an event when PKI staged a coup against Indonesian government and murdered seven military officers. After that action, PKI was not accepted by Indonesian and until now, people still think that PKI is an ambitious party that wants to overthrow Pancasila and replace it with a Communist ideology.
PKI was officially established on May 23, 1920. The establishment of PKI cannot be separated from Marxist teachings brought by a Dutch sociologist Sneevliet. He, along with his friends, formed an organization called Indies Social Democratische Vereeniging (ISDV). This organization grew rapidly and became the forerunner of PKI.
PKI had frequently staged coups against government. However, the most dangerous and the most brutal was the rebellion of September 30, 1965. Why was it brutal? Because in this uprising, PKI managed to kill seven high military officers. They began the move by kidnapping and murdering military officers on 1 October. Six were high-ranking officers and one was first Army officer. They were abducted from their residence and were brutally murdered by members of Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani and other PKI organizations that had been waiting in Lubang Buaya, a village located in the south of Halim Perdana Kusuma Air Base, Jakarta.
But in its development, history has been twisted by certain people, creating a controversy over the truth. The controversy has indirectly caused debate among academia and nationalist. But the fact is that, this issue has been refuted by the discovery of a small document containing PKI revolt plans target to establish a Communist state in Indonesia. This document was found by Prof Dr Aminuddin Kasdi (Historian of Surabaya University).The document was found in the form of a small book entitled “Revolution ABC” written by PKI Central Committee in 1957, which contains three revolution plan or uprising to make a Communist State in Indonesia.
Leftish Group’s attempt to create a Positive image
The dark history of its cruel act requires this communist group to change society’s views against them. This group even spread issues about ABRI scenario to arrest PKI members after October and the slaughter plan By NU against PKI, but both issues are not supported by evidence.
It gives a clear evidence that their plan to discuss G30S PKI and demands from other leftish groups like PAKORBA and YPKP 65 to form a reconciliation and 1965 symposia are their efforts to create a positive image in Indonesian society.
On March 12, 1966, Soeharto issued a command about the dissolution of PKI and banned all things related to communists and PKI in Indonesia. The constitutional basis that prohibits communism in Indonesia is very powerful. The constitutional basis is in 1945 Constitution, Pancasila and Article 29 of 1945 Constitution, Tap MPRS XXV of 1966 and Law number 27 of 1999 Article 107 paragraph a-f.
Until currently, PKI or Communist often portrays themselves as the weak and the oppressed one because of Government decision to ban them in the past. It is intended to gain sympathy from people and to make them participate or give their supports so that their demands are fulfilled.
Left group Efforts in Globalization Era
Post-reform, Communist ideology has been changed to “New Left” which tends to be a socialist and the movement has been replaced by People’s Democratic Party (PRD). PRD reflects the existence of PKI and other communist underground movement supported by Communist International (Comintern).
Based on its history, PRD gets full support from one of their main underbouw organizations, namely Indonesian Students Solidarity for Democracy (SMID). Since its establishment, PRD has shown opposition to Soeharto’s government. Post-Reformation, PRD actively mobilizes protests and demonstrations that criticize neoliberal policies, as well as campaigning for national sovereignty and National Movement of Article 33 (GNP33). Now, the PRD is trying to get the seats in the legislature. This is demonstrated through PRD’s socialization efforts to public at the local level. This is also corroborated by the statement of Agus Jabo Priyono (Chairman of PRD) who said that PRD is ready to become a contestant in the 2019 general election.
On the other hand, PRD has already engaged with labor groups, especially farmers, giving them law assistance and advocacy, it even has reached youth groups in regional level. This certainly gains a public attention related to “Revival Efforts of the Leftish Group”, given that in the past, PRD used labor groups and young people to support their communist ideology. In response to this, all of the Indonesian people need to agree to “Refuse the Awakening of Communists in Indonesia”, grow Nationalism and Pancasila values in social life, given that Pancasila is the best Ideology for Indonesia and its diversity.
*) Almira Fadillah, Graduate Student of Gunadharma University Jakarta.
