Malari incident
Encyclopedia
The Malari incident was a student demonstration and riot that happened from 15 to 16 January 1974. In reaction to a state visit by Japan Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka
, students held a demonstration protesting corruption, high prices, and inequality in foreign investments. After provocation by suspected agent provocateur
s, the demonstrations became riots, which eventually turned into a pogrom
. By the end of the incident, 11 protestors had been killed and hundreds of cars and buildings destroyed.
The riots caused numerous changes. Suharto's New Order
government enacted a series of economic reforms meant to improve Native Indonesian representation in partnerships with foreign investors, General Sumitro
(then Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces), was forced to retire, and numerous repressive measures were enforced by the government.
in 1966 the policies of economic development were popularly supported. However, dissent soon surfaced. The formerly-powerful Indonesian Nationalist and Masyumi political parties were pressured to replace their old leadership. Civilian politicians began to be considered untrustworthy, and all branches of the government (except the executive branch) steadily diminished in importance. Suharto's Golkar
party won the 1971 Indonesian legislative election
by forcing civil servants to vote for them and promising funds to supportive constituencies.
Disillusionment with the government continued to rise. The elimination of corruption, once hoped to be a priority of the New Order, was not worked towards; corruption instead became more institutionalized. Critics disagreed with the "financial generals", army staff who used their relationships with the ethnic Chinese Indonesian
s to become rich. One of them, Sujono Humardhani, was identified as the most prolific in convincing Japanese businesses to invest in Indonesia. When they did, they often took full ownership of the investments and partnered with Chinese Indonesians or senior military officers instead of with native Indonesians. The success of the 1973 Thai student demonstrations convinced Indonesian students that they could change policy.
arrived for a state visit. Enraged by Japan's competitive pressures on local businesses, students burned effigies
of Tanaka and Humardhani outside of Ali Murtopo
's office. They faced no resistance from the Indonesian military.
The next morning, thousands of students demonstrated in the streets of Jakarta
, calling for lower prices, an end to corruption, and the disbanding of Aspri
, Suharto's clique of personal assistants. Although the demonstrations began peacefully, by the afternoon suspected Special Forces' agent provocateur
s had turned it into a full riot. Hundreds of cars were burned, mainly of Japanese make. More stores were looted, including "the most visible symbol of Japanese presence in Indonesia", an Astra dealership selling Toyota-brand cars on Sudirman Street.
By the evening, the riot had been diverted into an anti-Chinese Indonesian pogrom
. Stores in Glodok
, owned by ethnic Chinese, were looted and burned; the largest being the Senen shopping complex. The security forces did little to stop the looting, and it was reported that General Sumitro
was seen speaking with the demonstrators in a friendly manner. However, some troops executed orders to shoot looters on sight.
Later that evening Hariman Siregar, president of the Student Body of the University of Indonesia
called for an end to the riots via Televisi Republik Indonesia, saying "this wasn't our intent". It was later reported that Siregar had made the plea under duress.
The riots were brought to an end the next day, when KKO, RPKAD
, and Kostrad
forces fired upon the rioters. By then, Prime Minister Tanaka had already left Indonesia due to the riots. During the three days of civil conflict 11 people were killed, 17 critically injured, 120 non-critically injured and roughly 770 arrested. Almost 1,000 motor vehicles were damaged and 144 buildings destroyed or burned.
, a rival of Sumitro's. It hinted that a general with the initial S would attempt a coup d'état between April and June 1974.
After the Malari incident, the New Order became more repressive and quicker to act when citizens expressed dissent, including through demonstrations and the media, abandoning the fragile "partnership" they once had. Twelve newspapers and magazines had their printing and publishing permits revoked, including Indonesia Raya
. Journalists, such as Mochtar Lubis
, were detained without trial. Offending journalists began to be blacklisted, losing nearly all job opportunities.
Within a week of the Malari incident, the New Order presented a package of regulations meant to promote the economic interests of Native Indonesians. The plan, mandating partnerships between foreign investors and Native Indonesians as well as the use of the planned Indonesia Stock Exchange, and requiring potential investors submit a plan for future majority Native Indonesian ownership, was well received by the public and silenced critics. In practice, however, this was not strictly enforced.
The Aspri were officially disbanded. However, former Aspri Ali Murtopo was later promoted to head of the Indonesian State Intelligence Agency and all of them stayed on as trusted advisers.
Kakuei Tanaka
was a Japanese politician and the 64th and 65th Prime Minister of Japan from 7 July 1972 to 22 December 1972 and from 22 December 1972 to 9 December 1974 respectively...
, students held a demonstration protesting corruption, high prices, and inequality in foreign investments. After provocation by suspected agent provocateur
Agent provocateur
Traditionally, an agent provocateur is a person employed by the police or other entity to act undercover to entice or provoke another person to commit an illegal act...
s, the demonstrations became riots, which eventually turned into a pogrom
Pogrom
A pogrom is a form of violent riot, a mob attack directed against a minority group, and characterized by killings and destruction of their homes and properties, businesses, and religious centres...
. By the end of the incident, 11 protestors had been killed and hundreds of cars and buildings destroyed.
The riots caused numerous changes. Suharto's New Order
New Order (Indonesia)
The New Order is the term coined by former Indonesian President Suharto to characterize his regime as he came to power in 1966. Suharto used this term to contrast his rule with that of his predecessor, Sukarno...
government enacted a series of economic reforms meant to improve Native Indonesian representation in partnerships with foreign investors, General Sumitro
Sumitro
Sumitro was a prominent Indonesian General in the early years of General Suharto's New Order before suddenly falling from grace in January 1974 after the Malari incident.-Early life:...
(then Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces), was forced to retire, and numerous repressive measures were enforced by the government.
Background
At the beginning of Suharto's New OrderNew Order (Indonesia)
The New Order is the term coined by former Indonesian President Suharto to characterize his regime as he came to power in 1966. Suharto used this term to contrast his rule with that of his predecessor, Sukarno...
in 1966 the policies of economic development were popularly supported. However, dissent soon surfaced. The formerly-powerful Indonesian Nationalist and Masyumi political parties were pressured to replace their old leadership. Civilian politicians began to be considered untrustworthy, and all branches of the government (except the executive branch) steadily diminished in importance. Suharto's Golkar
Golkar
The Party of the Functional Groups is a political party in Indonesia. It is also known as Sekber Golkar . It was the ruling party during Suharto's regime...
party won the 1971 Indonesian legislative election
Indonesian legislative election, 1971
Indonesia's second legislative election, and the first under the New Order regime, was held on July 3, 1971. There were 10 participants; 9 political parties and the "functional group" Golkar.-Background:...
by forcing civil servants to vote for them and promising funds to supportive constituencies.
Disillusionment with the government continued to rise. The elimination of corruption, once hoped to be a priority of the New Order, was not worked towards; corruption instead became more institutionalized. Critics disagreed with the "financial generals", army staff who used their relationships with the ethnic Chinese Indonesian
Chinese Indonesian
Chinese Indonesians, also called the Indonesian Chinese, are an overseas Chinese group whose ancestors emigrated from China to Indonesia, formerly a colony of the Netherlands known as the Dutch East Indies...
s to become rich. One of them, Sujono Humardhani, was identified as the most prolific in convincing Japanese businesses to invest in Indonesia. When they did, they often took full ownership of the investments and partnered with Chinese Indonesians or senior military officers instead of with native Indonesians. The success of the 1973 Thai student demonstrations convinced Indonesian students that they could change policy.
Riots
On 14 January 1974 Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei TanakaKakuei Tanaka
was a Japanese politician and the 64th and 65th Prime Minister of Japan from 7 July 1972 to 22 December 1972 and from 22 December 1972 to 9 December 1974 respectively...
arrived for a state visit. Enraged by Japan's competitive pressures on local businesses, students burned effigies
Effigy
An effigy is a representation of a person, especially in the form of sculpture or some other three-dimensional form.The term is usually associated with full-length figures of a deceased person depicted in stone or wood on church monuments. These most often lie supine with hands together in prayer,...
of Tanaka and Humardhani outside of Ali Murtopo
Ali Murtopo
Ali Murtopo was a prominent Indonesian general and political figure during the first half of General Suharto's New Order regime.-Early life:...
's office. They faced no resistance from the Indonesian military.
The next morning, thousands of students demonstrated in the streets of Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, calling for lower prices, an end to corruption, and the disbanding of Aspri
Aspri
The Asisten Pribadi or better known by its acronym, Aspri, was President of Indonesia Suharto's team of advisors from its formation in 1968 until it was disbanded in early 1974.-History:Aspri was the successor institution to the personal staff...
, Suharto's clique of personal assistants. Although the demonstrations began peacefully, by the afternoon suspected Special Forces' agent provocateur
Agent provocateur
Traditionally, an agent provocateur is a person employed by the police or other entity to act undercover to entice or provoke another person to commit an illegal act...
s had turned it into a full riot. Hundreds of cars were burned, mainly of Japanese make. More stores were looted, including "the most visible symbol of Japanese presence in Indonesia", an Astra dealership selling Toyota-brand cars on Sudirman Street.
By the evening, the riot had been diverted into an anti-Chinese Indonesian pogrom
Pogrom
A pogrom is a form of violent riot, a mob attack directed against a minority group, and characterized by killings and destruction of their homes and properties, businesses, and religious centres...
. Stores in Glodok
Glodok
Glodok is a part of the Jakarta, Indonesia. The area is also known as Pecinan or Chinatown since the Dutch colonial era, and is considered the biggest in Indonesia, as a majority of the traders in Glodok are of Chinese descent...
, owned by ethnic Chinese, were looted and burned; the largest being the Senen shopping complex. The security forces did little to stop the looting, and it was reported that General Sumitro
Sumitro
Sumitro was a prominent Indonesian General in the early years of General Suharto's New Order before suddenly falling from grace in January 1974 after the Malari incident.-Early life:...
was seen speaking with the demonstrators in a friendly manner. However, some troops executed orders to shoot looters on sight.
Later that evening Hariman Siregar, president of the Student Body of the University of Indonesia
University of Indonesia
The Universitas Indonesia, is a state, comprehensive world class university located in Depok, West Java and Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia. Universitas Indonesia is the oldest tertiary-level educational institution in Indonesia...
called for an end to the riots via Televisi Republik Indonesia, saying "this wasn't our intent". It was later reported that Siregar had made the plea under duress.
The riots were brought to an end the next day, when KKO, RPKAD
Kopassus
Kopassus is an Indonesian Army special forces group that conducts special operations missions for the Indonesian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering.Kopassus was founded on April 16, 1952...
, and Kostrad
Kostrad
Kostrad is the Indonesian Army's Strategic Reserve Command. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops...
forces fired upon the rioters. By then, Prime Minister Tanaka had already left Indonesia due to the riots. During the three days of civil conflict 11 people were killed, 17 critically injured, 120 non-critically injured and roughly 770 arrested. Almost 1,000 motor vehicles were damaged and 144 buildings destroyed or burned.
Aftermath
General Sumitro, then Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces, was blamed for inciting the rioters, and forced to resign. His supporters were removed from command positions, being made ambassadors or receiving staff jobs. This move was supported by the "Ramadi Document" presented to President Suharto by General Ali MurtopoAli Murtopo
Ali Murtopo was a prominent Indonesian general and political figure during the first half of General Suharto's New Order regime.-Early life:...
, a rival of Sumitro's. It hinted that a general with the initial S would attempt a coup d'état between April and June 1974.
After the Malari incident, the New Order became more repressive and quicker to act when citizens expressed dissent, including through demonstrations and the media, abandoning the fragile "partnership" they once had. Twelve newspapers and magazines had their printing and publishing permits revoked, including Indonesia Raya
Indonesia Raya (newspaper)
Indonesia Raya was an Indonesian newspaper co-founded in 1949 by Mochtar Lubis. Before its permanent closure in 1974, it was banned numerous times by both the Sukarno and Suharto governments.-History:...
. Journalists, such as Mochtar Lubis
Mochtar Lubis
Mochtar Lubis was an Indonesian Batak journalist and novelist who co-founded Indonesia Raya. His novel Senja di Jakarta was the first Indonesian novel to be translated into English. He was a critic of Sukarno and was imprisoned by him...
, were detained without trial. Offending journalists began to be blacklisted, losing nearly all job opportunities.
Within a week of the Malari incident, the New Order presented a package of regulations meant to promote the economic interests of Native Indonesians. The plan, mandating partnerships between foreign investors and Native Indonesians as well as the use of the planned Indonesia Stock Exchange, and requiring potential investors submit a plan for future majority Native Indonesian ownership, was well received by the public and silenced critics. In practice, however, this was not strictly enforced.
The Aspri were officially disbanded. However, former Aspri Ali Murtopo was later promoted to head of the Indonesian State Intelligence Agency and all of them stayed on as trusted advisers.