From independence in 1945 through the rise and fall of Sukarno and Suharto to the democracy movement of the 1990s, students have been central. They are one of the forces able to confront power directly.

Some history: After Japan’s surrender in 1945 youth leaders pushed Sukarno and Hatta to declare independence. When the Allies came to restore colonial Dutch rule they found a war of independence and a nation seemingly split into left vs. right, Islamic vs. secular, young vs. old.

In June 1945 Sukarno gave his "Birth of Pancasila" speech, outlining the principles for the new nation. After years of revolutionary conflict the Republic of Indonesia was declared in 1950 under Pancasila and a provisional constitution.

The Indonesian communist party (Partai Komunis Indonesia, PKI) grew quickly during this time and by the 1960s was the largest non-ruling communist party in the world. The army, the PKI, and Islamic separatists all struggled for power.

By mid-60s Sukarno’s rhetoric was more anti-Western and the PKI was strong. On Aug 17, 1965 he announced an "anti-imperialist Jakarta–Phnom Penh–Hanoi–Beijing–Pyongyang axis" and said that only the army stood in the way. Weeks later, the Sept 30th Movement attempted a coup.

6 generals were killed. Major General Suharto seized the army, claimed he would protect Sukarno, but refused to return power. Within a year Sukarno was forced out. Suharto’s 'New Order' replaced the 'old order' of Sukarno.

The New Order era reversed Sukarno’s anti-imperialism, launched 'development,' and programs to depoliticize society, transform the rakyat (people), who had fought for independence from Dutch and Japanese colonialism, into a 'docile and manipulated' massa (Masses).

By 80s & 90s opposition survived in NGOs, elites, students. Demonstrations continued against indoctrination and 'ideological homogeneity,' protecting resistance and memory Suharto tried to erase. In 1998 they forced Suharto to resign.

Recent reporting on the military’s expansion under a president with deep ties to the authoritarian past.

"In Prabowo’s Indonesia, the military is quietly creeping back into civilian life"
theguardian.com/world/2025/aug…

In Prabowo’s Indonesia, the military is quietly creeping back into civilian life

The retired general who is now president has established 100 new army battalions and plans more – and critics say the move has echoes of the country’s authoritarian past

^{Kate Lamb (The Guardian)}

The genocide of communists and others started Suharto's authoritarian regime, and he continued to oppress and kill for decades, often with the help of the United States and people like Henry Kissinger.

When Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 killing over 200,000 civilians the US provided weapons and diplomatic cover. Ford and Kissinger met with Suharto the day before invasion, giving a green light. The US blocked UN action for decades while genocide continued.

Not surprisingly some of the reporting about the Indonesian protests in the western media is saying things like "a motorcycle taxi driver was killed" but that's not what happened. He was killed by an armoured police car that ran him over. There is a video, it's horrifying. Police killed him.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/20…

As you watch Indonesia remember: Yes, it's workers protesting but importantly also students, a short thread on their role in history.

mas.to/@continuation/115111435…

Mx Arjuna

2025-08-29 09:51:49

From independence in 1945 through the rise and fall of Sukarno and Suharto to the democracy movement of the 1990s, students have been central. They are one of the forces able to confront power directly.

Some history: After Japan’s surrender in 1945 youth leaders pushed Sukarno and Hatta to declare independence. When the Allies came to restore colonial Dutch rule they found a war of independence and a nation seemingly split into left vs. right, Islamic vs. secular, young vs. old.

Key events leading to this: Subianto's rise as president, new legislation re-embeds active-duty military in civilian government posts, outrage over House of Rep's allowance ignites protest, paramilitary national police use armoured car to kill protestor.

This is the kind of protest that can overthrow a government. Protests were large but when police killed Affan Kurniawan and arrested hundreds, students and others across the country mobilized in a way Indonesia hasn't seen since the late 1990s.

Map showing 25 cities across Indonesia where protests have targeted parliament buildings, some have been burned down.

instagram.com/p/DN-JDT5kgX_/

Tiktok has also suspended live-streaming in Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy with a population of 280 million people. The government had called in social media companies and told them to "boost content moderation" during the protests.

cnn.com/2025/08/30/asia/indone…

This reporting explains how president Prabowo Subianto has ordered the military and police to crack down on "anarchic" protesters, still further escalation in suppressing dissent, limiting freedom and rights.

news.detik.com/berita/d-808777…

Panggil Panglima TNI & Kapolri, Prabowo Perintahkan Tindak Tegas Massa Anarkis

Presiden Prabowo Subianto memanggil Panglima TNI Jenderal Agus Subiyanto dan Kapolri Jenderal Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

^{Rizky Adha Mahendra (detikcom)}