While Investigating Major Cases, This Attorney General Faced Terror and Attempted Murder

Since its establishment exactly 81 years ago, the Indonesian Attorney General’s Office has produced many figures known for their bravery in law enforcement. One prominent figure in its history is Gatot Tarunamihardja, the first Attorney General of the Republic of Indonesia, who dared to investigate major corruption allegations and consequently faced terror and nearly lost his life.

Gatot first served as Attorney General from August to October 1945. Years later, President Soekarno reappointed him to lead the Adhyaksa corps from April to September 1959.

According to testimony by researcher Daniel S. Lev in ‘The Politics of Judicial Development in Indonesia’ (1965), Gatot was known as a highly respected law enforcer due to his profound knowledge and integrity.

With this reputation, Gatot was determined to clean up corrupt practices that were perceived at the time to be deeply rooted in various state institutions. One of the cases that drew his attention involved alleged corruption within a government agency.

The case involved several high-ranking officials and became a public focal point. The community provided support for the matter to be investigated thoroughly.

However, Gatot’s investigation did not proceed smoothly. He faced resistance from high-ranking officials implicated in the case. Nevertheless, Gatot continued the investigation.

To strengthen the process, he even collaborated with the police. This step was taken to ensure that the investigation into the significant case could proceed as effectively as possible.

“To better continue the investigation, Gatot demanded special authority over the police,” stated Daniel S. Lev in ‘The Politics of Judicial Development in Indonesia’ (1965).

Gatot’s stance increased the pressure upon him. He faced not only resistance from the parties under investigation but also intimidation.

The terror even escalated to an attempted murder. Testimony regarding this was revealed by Abdul Rachmat Nasution, the father of lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution. According to Buyung, his father once recounted how Gatot was the target of an assassination attempt.

“He was attempted to be killed by being run over in the early hours of the morning, resulting in a severed leg,” said Buyung.

According to Buyung, Gatot’s courage in eradicating corruption forced him to face such risks. However, the pressure reached its peak in September 1959.

On 10 September 1959, Gatot was suddenly arrested and detained by order of the Central War Authority.

“Attorney General Mr. Gatot Tarunamihardja was detained on 10 September by order of the Central War Authority on allegations of attempting to damage the reputation and prestige of agency leaders,” reported the Duta Masyarakat newspaper (14 September 1959).

In addition to those allegations, Gatot’s detention was also linked to claims that his actions had disturbed national order. In reporting by the Algemeen Handelsblad (14 September 1959), investigators were said to have found evidence pointing towards an attempt to build a secret network within state apparatuses.

“From the preliminary examination, there are indications of efforts to organise a dark network within state apparatuses, violating all hierarchy and organisation, which could lead to dangerous disintegration,” wrote the newspaper.

Gatot denied the accusations levelled against him, asserting that his actions were purely for the eradication of corruption. Eventually, the matter drew the attention of President Soekarno.

The President summoned Gatot, along with several of his adversaries, to discuss the issue. This meeting provided a turning point for Gatot, who was still in detention at the time.

The Duta Masyarakat newspaper (18 September 1959) revealed that after the meeting, Soekarno stated the matter would be resolved. Shortly thereafter, approximately 10 days after his detention, Gatot was finally released. The parties suspected of involvement in the case were also transferred.

However, Gatot’s release did not mean he returned to the position of Attorney General. His career as the head of the Adhyaksa corps ended after Soekarno dismissed him with honours.

As his successor, Soekarno appointed Mr. Gunawan as Attorney General. With the end of Gatot’s tenure, his efforts to investigate major corruption allegations were left unfinished.