History Of Fahmi Idris And Laskar Ampera Arief Rachman Judge Overthrow The Old Order

Tritura demonstration by students in Jakarta in 1966 (Co Rentmeester/Life Magazine)

JAKARTA - The death of Arief Rachman Hakim (ARH) brings grief to the entire Indonesian nation. A student of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI) was shot dead by the authority. His death was like a martyr's struggle for the 66th generation. All students initiated the Laskar Ampera ARH. Fahmi Idris was asked to be the commander.

This militaristic student organization has a vital role. The Laskar Ampera ARH movement was able to overthrow the leadership of Soekarno and his old Order.

The student movement has a major influence in the course of the nation's existence. The student action in 1965-1966, for example. That year, all students from all over the capital demanded the same thing: the Tri Demands of the People (Tritura). Disband the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), reshuffle the cabinet, and lower prices.

The three demands were made by students when they took to the streets on January 10, 1966. Because every day people's lives are getting more difficult. Instead of being extravagant, many Indonesian people can't afford to eat every day.

The late Fahmi Idris was once the commander of the Laskar Ampera Arief Rahman Hakim who played a role in the downfall of Bung Karno's New Order in 1966. (VOI/Mery Handayani)

The condition gets worse when the owner of the power itself is not sensitive. The president and his assistants -- the ministers -- often display luxury. In fact, the people themselves are in trouble. Alias in popular terms: people line up for rice, at the palace dancing. Moreover, the government was considered lenient towards the PKI.

Student action was unbearable. However, an ARH student arrived unhappily on February 24, 1966. It seemed that this was the first time he had held a demonstration. It was directly in front of the Merdeka Palace. Security officers who wanted to disperse the protesters then opened fire. One of the shots hit and killed ARH. As a form of sympathy, Suharto and AH Nasution also sent bouquets of flowers.

“Incidentally, the first demonstration he participated in was a demonstration in front of the Merdeka Palace on February 24, 1966. At that time, students protested against the meeting and the inauguration of the Dwikora Cabinet which was perfected. Apparently these student actions were considered quite disturbing and threatening by the Tjakrabirawa troops. Somehow it started, suddenly Tjakrabirawa's troops fired shots that were either intentional or not aimed at the protesters."

“For those who are used to demonstrations, of course they will immediately lie down or take cover behind something when they hear the sound of gunfire. However, because it was the first time he joined a demonstration, Arief was not quick to lie down or take cover, so a bullet hit his body. Apart from Arief, several other people were also shot. However, only ARH who finally met his death was taken to the RSPAD," said student activist batch 66 who is also ARH's classmate, Firman Lubis in the book Jakarta 1950-1970 (2018).

Laskar Ampera Arief Rachman Hakim

The killing of ARH further aggravated the position of Sukarno and his Old Order at the helm. All students used the momentum of ARH's death as a means of struggle against the Soekarno government.

ARH's death in fact opened the eyes of many parties to struggle with students. The military also participated, especially the Army (AD). This turning point prompted students with military support to form the Arief Rachman Hakim Mandate for People's Suffering (Ampera) Army at the UI Medical Campus, Salemba, on March 4, 1966.

All the students then arranged the structure of Laskar Ampera. Fahmi Idris who is active in the UI Senate was elected as commander. Meanwhile, Soemarno Dipodisastro as chief of staff. Initially, Laskar Ampera was formed identical with militaristic elements.

Tritura demonstration 1966 (Co Rentmeester/Life Magazine)

Even though its members are dominated by students. All of this can be seen from the presence of the Laskar structure which has seven battalions named after the heroes of the revolution. Alias those who were overthrown in the September 30th Movement (G30S). These include the Ahmad Yani Battalion, S. Parman Battalion, MT Haryono Battalion, and so on.

Bung Karno's personal aide, Maulwi Saelan, revealed that at first there was no intention of Fahmi Idris and his Laskar Amperas to overthrow the Old Order government. However, Bung Karno tended to seem to protect the PKI. This attitude made Laskar Ampera consider Bung Karno the same as the PKI.

All kinds of officials who were considered pro-PKI were targeted by Laskar Ampera. Buildings, offices, and official houses that were considered pro-PKI were targeted for raids. They even took part in arresting 15 Bung Karno ministers who were considered pro-PKI.

The arrests made by Laskar Ampera made Bung Karno automatically no loyalists. No one dared to openly support Sukarno. The end of that scenario made Suharto's steps smoothly to become the number one person in Indonesia. He also took the baton of leadership from Bung Karno.

Formation of Laskar Ampera Arief Rachman Hakim. (Co Rentmeester/Life Magazine)

“The commander of this laskar regiment is Fahmi Idris and according to Media Indonesia, his organizational model is very militaristic, complete with commandos and battalion compositions to companies or divisions. It is not so difficult to form a structure and at the same time fill existing posts, because recruitment is easily fulfilled by members of the Islamic Student Association (HMI) who already have the most prepared organizational network."

“It was these Laskars that raided the buildings, offices, and homes of officials who were considered pro-PKI. This Laskar also took part in arresting ministers who were considered leftist. As many as 15 ministers were arrested, of course, on Suharto's orders as Supersemar holders on behalf of the President/Supreme Commander," said Bung Karno's personal aide, Maulwi Saelan in the book From Revolution 45 to Coup 66: Testimony of Deputy Commander Tjakrabirawa (2008).