Where Was President Soekarno During The G30S PKI Event?

YOGYAKARTA - The September 30 Movement is a dark event that has existed in Indonesian history. This G30S incident is remembered as an act of kidnapping and killing six generals and one Indonesian Army National Army (TNI AD) officer in one night.

As the name implies, this bloody tragedy took place from September 30 night to October 1, 1965 in the morning. The G30S incident was investigated by allegations of the existence of the Council of Generals within the body of the Army who would coup President Soekarno. However, on the day this movement was carried out, Soekarno was not at the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta.

Many are wondering where President Soekarno was during the G30S PKI incident? Regarding Soekarno's whereabouts when the terrible tragedy occurred, his aide, Colonel Bambang Widjanarko, said he was not at the Merdeka Palace.

On the night of September 30, 1965 at around 23.00 WIB, Colonel Bambang asked for directions from Soekarno regarding the possibility of changing the event for the next day October 1, 1965. According to Bambang, one of Soekarno's agenda that day was to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister of Leimena and the Commander of the Army, General Ahmad Yani.

However, on the morning of October 1, after the resik rehearsal commemorating the TNI's anniversary in Senayan East Parking, Bambang did not find Soekarno at the Merdeka Palace. Not long after, Bambang received information from Colonel Sumirat and AKBP Mangil Martowidjojo that on the night of 30 Soekarno stayed at his wife's house, Ratna Sari Dewi, at Wisma Yaso, Jalan Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta.

In the morning, October 1, 1965 at around 06.00 WIB, Soekarno left his wife's residence to the Merdeka Palace with AKBP Mangil and his bodyguards. However, in the middle of the trip, he decided to turn into the house of his second wife, Haryati, in Slipi, West Jakarta. The route change occurred because Soekarno received information that the Merdeka Palace had been surrounded by unknown troops.

Bambang stated that on the morning of October 1, 1965, the Merdeka Palace had indeed been surrounded by armed forces wearing yellow cloth on their necks. From Haryati's residence, Soekarno was advised to immediately evacuate to Halim Perdanakusuma in East Jakarta, although Bambang did not mention who gave the suggestion.

Soekarno arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma at around 09.00 WIB. He was greeted by Air Force Commander Omar Dhani and placed at the house of a high-ranking officer. There, Soekarno planned to meet several representatives of the Army who were originally scheduled to meet him at the Merdeka Palace. However, when Soekarno arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma, the generals were already dead, with the bodies found at the Lubang Buaya well.

After the G30S tragedy, Soekarno immediately ordered the Commissioner of the Sumirat Police to summon the commanders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Commander of the V Jaya Military Command. This was done to ask for clarification regarding the critical situation that had caused the death of a number of high-ranking Army officials.

Meanwhile, at around 10.45 WIB, Brigadier General Sabur arrived from Bandung, West Java. General Sabur also reported the increasingly precarious situation. At around 11.30 WIB, Soekarno then rested at the residence of Commodore Susanto, a Jet Star pilot on duty at Halim Perdanakusuma.

About half an hour later at 12.00 WIB, via Commodore Susanto's radio transmitter, Soekarno heard an announcement from Lieutenant Colonel Untung, one of the main figures of the G30S. Colonel Untung conveyed a message on behalf of the Revolutionary Council.

Seeing the worsening situation, the head of the Cakrabirawa Regiment as the special forces in charge of the president's security decided to move Soekarno to the Bogor Palace, West Java.

Several months after the incident, on March 11, 1966, Soekarno issued a March Eleven Order (Supersemar). This letter mandated the Minister/Community of the Suharto Army to take action to overcome the ongoing conflict.

This supersemar is the starting point for Suharto to rise to power, replacing Soekarno as President of Indonesia, which took place from 1967 to 1998.

That's the review of where President Soekarno was during the G30S PKI incident? At the time of the tense tragedy, Soekarno was at the house of one of his wives, Ratna Sari Dewi. The next day Soekarno was closely guarded by his aides. Also read Bung Hatta's criticism of Bung Karno.

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