Gen. Soemitro sheds more light on the Jan. 15 riots
Gen. Soemitro sheds more light on the Jan. 15 riots
Pangkopkamtib Jen. Soemitro dan Peristiwa 15 Januari 1974
(Chief of the Internal Security Agency Gen. Soemitro and the Jan.
15, 1974 incident);
By Heru Cahyono;
Pustaka Sinar Harapan, Jakarta, 1998;
xii + 312 pages;
Rp 32,000
JAKARTA (JP): Today's student action is reminiscent of an
incident on Jan. 15, 1974. And the political and economic reforms
being demanded by students now are not much different from those
voiced by students 24 years ago.
Some facts about the Jan. 15 riots, in which 11 people died
and several buildings and automobile showrooms were among the
targets of destruction, have remained hidden.
But it is clear that what started out as student action
against Japanese dominance in the economy, became more ambiguous
when stories began circulating about suspicion of a high-level
power struggle.
Since then student action has always been greeted with caution
regarding the interests of third parties.
This book about the former chief of the Internal Security
Agency Gen.(ret) Soemitro, who was in charge at the time of the
incident, has shed some new light on what is seen as an
accumulation of a series of political activities triggered by
several parties.
With the general as the narrator, the book can be described as
a chronology of the Jan. 15 incident, which is better known by
the acronym Malari.
The insights include the "intelligence reports" Soemitro
refers to and a description of his relationship with central
political figures. But other attractions of the book are
reflections by key player as the events unfolded.
The political world in which friends becomes foes and
inversely provide the backdrop for the incident itself -- not
only for reasons of politics and safety but also for career
interests -- is revealed.
In his blunt manner but seemingly driven by an adamant denial
of rumors that he wanted to topple the president, Soemitro names
several individuals and organizations, while he only hints at
others.
Former presidential advisors Ali Moertopo and Sudjono
Hoemardani are among the most mentioned.
Soemitro is quick to point out in the preface that one should
read the book in its totality, implying that otherwise one could
be offended or jump to conclusions, given the tell-all nature of
the book.
And he admits that he made decisions which he now regrets. He
cites sources as saying a certain party was distributing money in
the Senen market, one of the destroyed business areas in Central
Jakarta, to rioters, with the aim of discrediting the Senate of
the University of Indonesia.
When he became aware of the action, Senate chairman Hariman
Siregar tried to call off the demonstration. "... If only I had
known (Hariman's action), there was no way I would have arrested
(him)," the former chief said.
Only after his retirement did Soemitro come upon "surprises"
and "rich details" surrounding the incident. In the book he also
cites Ali Moertopo's subordinates, and interviews with unrevealed
sources.
Reports of parties other than students being involved more or
less answered his lingering question: Who led the students off
the campus?
In the clash that ensued, 11 died, 17 were seriously injured,
75 were detained, 807 automobiles and 187 motorcycles were burned
and 160 kilograms of gold went missing.
The book must be considered a supplement to the general's
biography Dari Pangdam Mulawarman Sampai Pangkopkamtib (From
Mulawarman District Commander to Chief of the Internal Security
Agency), written by Ramadhan K.H. and published by Pustaka Sinar
Harapan in 1994, in which the incident is also discussed.
Another related book is Hariman's Hati Nurani Seorang
Demonstran (The Conscience of a Demonstrator) published by
Mantika Media Utama in 1994.
The latter, published in conjunction with the 20th anniversary
of Malari, contains, among others, court documents including
Hariman's defense.
The defense detailed the students' march which involved
"unexpected" encounters with groups which did not represent any
party attending the student activists' meetings.
Of the nine chapters in Soemitro's book, chapters six and
seven constitute the peak of the story with Merekayasa Kerusuhan
(Engineering Riots) and Jakarta Terbakar (Jakarta Burns).
Soemitro recreates the well-known scene of on-the-street
dialog with students carrying posters which read: Lower Prices;
Japan is Ruining Indonesia, Dismiss Aspri (the extra-judicial
body of president's personal assistants).
The students' expression of doubts about President Soeharto's
leadership, issues like corruption at the state-owned oil company
Pertamina and construction of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah read
like deja vu amid today's reports of student protests.
Game
Soemitro's narrative invites the reader to retrace events in
the political game during the transition period between the so-
called Old Order and the New Order.
He refers to methods of the old period which still "haunt" the
New Order, such as the politics of pitting one side against
another.
Soemitro also wishes to teach the younger generation about the
country's shortcomings.
"... the old values of feudalism are still deeply rooted. One
is that a leader does not like to be criticized ... However, the
essence of democracy is free and healthy competition."
His statement is strong, even in the present situation. He
seems to warn that if such an attitude persists, it will weaken
this nation's condition despite all the progress achieved.
The end of the book recounts once again Soemitro's refusal to
be named ambassador to Washington following President Soeharto's
termination of his post.
This part is somewhat amusing and a little more complete than
the way it is told in the biography -- and is still a popular
side to the jovial, stout Soemitro -- given the rarity of such an
act among officials.
-- A. Ariobimo Nusantara
The reviewer is a publishing house editor.