The Indonesian Armed Forces and Communism

Today is 30 September 2008 and it is 43 years since the G30S or the 30 September movement that launched an attempted coup in 1965. This coup has been attributed to the Indonesian Communist Party and sympathizers to the cause. In the violent and bloody purge that followed and then culminated with Soeharto coming to power it is estimated more than a million people lost their lives.

Today at a prayer service commemorating the deaths of six generals (and a lieutenant) the current Chief of the Army, Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo, has stated that the army is concerned that the threat of communism is real and that it is making a comeback in Indonesia. He points to systematic efforts to re-establish the ideology and cites the primary tactic as being one designed to shake the foundations of the Republic by highlighting and magnifying differences. The other evidence that the army has relates to the placement of stickers and posters that are obviously driven by the ideology of communism.

The general despite insisting on vigilance and the need to remain alert to the re-emergence of communism was unequivocal in stating that unlike the old days communism must be defeated by a greater reliance on Pancasila.

The fact that the armed forces are still playing the PKI card is a concern, particularly in 2008.