JAKARTA - Suharto's big name was too special during the New Order (Orba) era. His blessing is like fate. Suharto's intervention in the regeneration of the top leadership of the Army (AD), for example. Suharto gave a surprise by choosing General Rudini as Army Chief of Staff (KASAD). In fact, there were three senior generals who were nominated. Suharto didn't bother. The military is his domain. He believed Rudini was the right choice. Rudini proved it.
Suharto is a figure who likes to maintain his image. His image is fragrant in all walks of life. The most popular image about the heroism of Suharto. He is described as the father of development to the hero who contributed to crushing the G30S.
The picture appears as a form of his success in reconstructing history. Therefore, the heroic image of the New Order regime stands out. Meanwhile, other major figures have reduced roles. In fact, these figures are treated like 'extras' in the history of the Indonesian nation.
Efforts to strengthen the image of the New Order regime were carried out in various ways. Some of them control the writing of history. The government is also trying to be a sponsor. The writing of history covers all areas – from popular history to oral history.
This control is proof that Suharto really understands the historical narrative written by the victor. Historical contributions can perpetuate his role as the longest-serving ruler at the helm of Indonesia's leadership. In order to maintain his image, Suharto was anti-criticism. Those who disobey will be dealt with firmly. Terror is the main force.
"It (the struggle) doesn't get any easier when we have to deal with a wider circle. But at that time the movement needed to form a network, even a common front, slowly. Suharto was too powerful, and we were just a group of activists with a limited reach. Outside the pro-democracy movements are on the move, secretly or openly, and we support each other, but there is no united front for resistance.”
"The rest is stupid. Suharto managed to subdue Indonesia in an efficient way: spreading fear. The regime had sufficient capital of terror, after in 1965-66 tens of thousands of people were killed, imprisoned, and exiled. Under these circumstances, establishing cooperation with other groups in the pro-democracy movement needs to be preceded by breaking the terror. By trying courage, "said Goenawan Mohamad in his writing in Tempo Magazine entitled Herman (2009).
Every time there was an explosion of resistance against the New Order, Suharto always managed to extinguish the fire of struggle. All because the military was always behind Suharto. Moreover, none of his subordinates dared to refuse orders or requests from Suharto.
Even if, for those who only carry the name Suharto. His big name was too strong, as if there was an unwritten rule stating that Suharto had wanted it, so everyone had to follow it.
A number of leaders of community organizations or entrepreneurs have proven it. Bringing Suharto's embellishments allows them to access all facilities, especially regarding positions. The chanting of Suharto's name was able to open all the doors of regulation. Therefore, legal, illegal, no longer important. As long as Suharto's name is present, of course everything can be arranged.
“Instead of a hot seat in the executive ranks, to become a party leader, even the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross, must get 'blessing' from Socharto. Suharto's blessing must also be pocketed by institutions that there can only be one in Indonesia, such as organizations of journalists, doctors, workers, businessmen."
"Therefore, do not be surprised, the magnitude of Suharto's power led to a number of records of suppressing the press criticizing the policies of the strong man in Indonesia. For example, Tempo Magazine, Editor, and Detik were closed in 1994," said Femi Adi Soempeno in the book Prabowo Titisan Suharto? Looking for New Leaders in the Famine Period (2008).
Suharto chooses Army Chief of Staff
Suharto's great influence also appeared in the regeneration of the top leadership of the Indonesian Army in 1983. At that time the Minister of Defense and Security (Menhamkam), General M. Jusuf, had presented three names to replace KASAD, General Poniman.
The three are Wiyogo Atmodarminto, Soesilo Sudarman, and Himawan Soesanto. All of them came from the best officers who graduated from the Yogyakarta National Military Academy (AMN). Suharto's wife, Siti Hartinah or who is familiarly called Mrs. Tien, also gave references to the candidate for the Army Chief of Staff to her husband. The candidate referred to by Mrs. Tien is Dading Kalbuadi.
The general, who was born in Cilacap, was considered by Mrs. Tien to be quite suitable to be the Army Chief of Staff. Dading in his eyes full of experience of war to defend the country. Dading was involved in a series of major operations, such as the crackdown on DI/TII in West Java, PRRI/Permesta in Sumatra, and G30S.
Suharto did not bother with the emergence of strong candidates to replace KASAD. Moreover, Suharto rarely discussed his choice to take over at the helm of the TNI AD with many people. In fact, Suharto had another choice. He surprisingly gave his blessing to General Rudini as KASAD.
Rudini was then shocked. In experience, Rudini is still young compared to the four generals who were nominated. For him, Rudini's selection has been measured by many factors. Even though the experience is still far behind.
But Rudini remained special in Suharto's eyes. Rudini is described as a person of integrity. He has also taken military education in Breda, the Netherlands. Based on these considerations, the Malang-born general was elected to serve as KASAD for the 1983-1986 period.
Rudini's election was effective. He seemed to fit well with Suharto. Suharto's style of communication was quickly understood by him. Also the instructions. If any of his subordinates made a mistake, then Rudini immediately installed himself.
When Ibu Tien was cheated on land certificates by Rudini's men, for example. Rudini immediately apologized to Suharto. Then later apologized directly to Suharto. that's what Suharto meant by integrity.
“General Rudini, if one traces his military career history, has indeed stood out since he became a cadet at KMA Breda, Nederland. At the final exam in 1955, he was listed as the number one winner in the infantry group of his contemporaries. His officer position began as a Platoon Commander at Kodam VII/Brawijaya 1956-1959, then as an instructor at AMN Magelang 1959-1965. He also served as Deputy Commander of "Banteng Raiders" at Kodam VII/Diponegoro in 1965. His career began to climb when he was assigned at KOSTRAD in 1970, starting from the Chief of Staff, increasing to Commander of the 18th Airborne Brigade (Linud) in 1972, then Commander of the Airborne Combat Command (Pangkopur) in 1977.”
“After that, he served as the Chief of Staff of KOSTRAD until he reached the position of Pangkostrad in 1981-1983. Prior to that, in 1973, he served as Commander of the Garuda VIl Contingent in the Middle East and Pangdam XII/Merdeka (North and Central Sulawesi) in 1978-1981. The peak of his military career was reached when he assumed the position of KASAD in 1983, replacing General Poniman, The last KASAD of the former PETA TNI-AD officer force," wrote Moekardi in the book Yogya Military Academy in Physical Struggle 1945 to 1949 (2019).
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