Page 144 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

EFFORT TO REUNITE THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
(1950 – 1960)

tem by proposing a return to the 1945 Constitu-
tion. Working together with Soekarno, the Army
developed a framework for implementing Guided
Democracy.
The Army became

The Army’s steps towards Guided Democracy even more involved
were a reaction to the emerging government cri- in the government,
sis. In reality, expanding the military’s political role
was not an intentional plan to fulfill the military particularly in
leaders’ political ambitions. Nevertheless, the Ar- designing the
my’s reactionary move demonstrated the Army’s
preparedness to take advantage of unexpected implementation of
opportunities. Guided Democracy.

At the end of Parliamentary Democracy, the con- Soon, it became
solidated power within the Army allowed its lead- a force in the
ers to take strategic steps to put pressure on the
government. Guided Democracy
government.
Facing the critical years at the end of the Parlia-
mentary Democracy period, the military intensi-
fied pressure on political parties, the government,
and the President from 1958 onwards. In this case,
under martial law, the Army reacted to the current
government crisis by continuing to pressure the
National Council to speed up its work.

In addition, the Army also pressured Soekarno to immediately ap-
prove the Army’s proposal to return to the 1945 Constitution. The
efforts were successful, and the Army became even more involved
in the government, particularly in designing the implementation of
Guided Democracy. Soon, it became a force in the Guided Democracy
government.

The Guided Democracy system of government allowed the military to
have an active role in state affairs. In addition, as a counterweight,
Sukarno paved the way for PKI to become a vital part of the government.
The military provided organizational support for President Soekarno.

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