Page 198 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

THE NEW FACE OF INDONESIAN PARLIAMENT
(1959-1966)

DPR-GR WITHOUT PKI:

A REFRESH TO WELCOME A NEW ERA

The involvement of the Communist Party of Indonesia in September 30,

1965 Movement (G30S PKI, Gestapu, Gestok) had an impact on changing the
membership structure of the DPR-GR.

THE implementation of the concept of Guided Democracy later devel-
oped into a democracy that was characterized by the concentration of
power in only one leader, namely the president (executive). This concen-
tration of power in one leadership led to many presidential actions which
were later deemed to be contrary to the spirit of the 1945 Constitution.
Meanwhile, according to President Soekarno, Guided Democracy was
a democracy that explicitly led to the implementation of the Mandate of
People’s Suffering.

The culmination of the G30S PKI incident towards the end of 1965
brought political tensions and a shift in power in Indonesian politics,
including in the People’s Representative Council of Mutual Assistance
(DPR-GR). During the term of office between 1960-1965, the DPR-GR re-
ceived influence from PKI leaders. However, after there was evidence of
PKI’s betrayal, the DPR-GR in 1965 dared to take a stand against the PKI
and its masses. This attitude of the DPR-GR was evidenced by the unani-
mous statement which stated that the PKI and its mass organizations
were disbanded. The statement of opinion was issued on 15 November
1965 in the opening plenary session of the second trial during the period
of 1965-1966.

The action of the DPR-GR stating that DPR-GR must exist without any
PKI elements within it was a historical event in the practice of democra-
cy in Indonesia. The statement from the DPR-GR that urged President
Soekarno to dissolve the PKI was made by Harsono Tjokroaminoto, who
represented all members of the DPR-GR, which was later taken over by
the leadership of the DPR-GR as an official statement of the council and
was accepted by the assembly by acclamation. In addition, members of

dpr.go.id 191