Page 145 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE
IN INDONESIA

Meanwhile, Soekarno also realized that the ar-
my’s strength in the government needed to be
balanced by the power of the mass that sup-
ported him. Thus, the PKI was chosen to be on
In 1959 – 1965, with Soekarno’s other side. Both the Army and the

Sukarno’s support, PKI showed loyalty to President Soekarno. The
conflict between the two had been resolved, and
army leaders Soekarno’s role as the mediator between these

expanded and two great powers was necessary.

maintained their In 1959–1965, with Sukarno’s support, army lead-

positions in the non- ers expanded and maintained their positions in
the non-military sector. The army was described
military sector. The as a central force. It was also told that the mili-
army was described tary continuously faced struggles against ele-
ments of the extreme left (the 1948 Madiun Re-
as a central force. bellion and the attempted coup of 1965) and the

extreme right (DI and PRRI/Permesta rebellions
1957–1961).

Relying on the military force had become the
primary choice of resolving upheavals in various
regions. Indeed, the military’s strength was un-
deniable, so the demands for the military to have
a role in the government continued to be made.

138