History of Suharto

Suharto, a key figure in Indonesia's modern history, was the country's second president, serving from 1967 to 1998. His tenure was marked by significant political, economic, and social transformations that have had a lasting impact on Indonesia.

Born on June 8, 1921, in Kemusuk, a small village in Java, Suharto's early life was relatively modest. His father was a village irrigation official, and his mother came from a modest farming background. This rural upbringing was typical of many Indonesians at the time, as the country was under Dutch colonial rule. Suharto's career in the military began when he joined the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in 1940. The Japanese occupation during World War II interrupted his military trajectory, but it also set the stage for Indonesia's struggle for independence.

Following the Japanese surrender in 1945, a power vacuum allowed Indonesian nationalists to declare independence. Suharto joined the Indonesian National Army to fight against occupying Dutch forces that sought to reassert control. By effectively utilizing guerrilla warfare tactics, Suharto rose quickly through the ranks. His military prowess became evident during key operations, such as the assault on Yogyakarta, which helped cement his reputation as a competent leader.

After Indonesia achieved independence in 1949, Suharto continued to advance within the military. By the early 1960s, he was a major general. His political rise coincided with a tumultuous time in Indonesian history. President Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president, was facing mounting internal and external pressures, including political and economic instability and rising tensions among military leaders and the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

The pivotal moment in Suharto's career came on September 30, 1965, when an alleged coup attempt by members of the PKI led to the murder of six army generals. While the full circumstances of the coup remain murky, it provided Suharto the pretext needed to act. With backing from the military, Suharto effectively took control of Indonesia, sidelining Sukarno and launching a violent anti-communist purge that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people. This dark chapter in Indonesian history remains a controversial and sensitive topic.

In 1967, Suharto was formally appointed president by the Indonesian parliament. His regime, known as the "New Order," was built upon a foundation of strong anti-communism, centralized power, and economic development. Suharto immediately prioritized economic stabilization, encouraged foreign investment, and launched a series of five-year development plans to modernize Indonesia’s agrarian economy.

Under Suharto’s guidance, Indonesia experienced impressive economic growth known as the “New Order Miracle.” Infrastructure projects transformed the landscape, poverty rates declined, and literacy rates improved significantly. However, this economic boom came at the cost of widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and suppression of political dissent. Suharto's leadership style was authoritarian; he maintained control through a structure of centralized power and loyalists placed in key positions.

Politically, Suharto implemented measures that significantly reduced political freedoms. The “floating mass” system restricted political activity outside election periods, and all political parties had to conform to Suharto’s vision. The Golkar party, which was closely aligned with him, dominated Indonesian politics during his presidency. Suharto also relied on the military to enforce stability and counter any potential threats to his authority.

Internationally, Suharto positioned Indonesia as a key non-aligned nation during the Cold War, pivoting the country away from Sukarno’s pro-Soviet stance and towards stronger relations with Western countries, particularly the United States, Japan, and other western economies. His anti-communist stance garnered support and economic aid, crucial for Indonesia’s development initiatives.

However, as time went on, cracks in the New Order's façade began to show. By the 1990s, although the economy was still performing well, questions about succession, corruption, nepotism, and human rights abuses were increasingly raised. Suharto’s family and associates benefited immensely from the economic system he established, leading to significant disparities in wealth distribution. Transparency International once named Suharto as the most corrupt leader of modern times, estimating he embezzled billions of dollars.

The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 hit Indonesia hard, revealing the weaknesses in the economic system. The crisis led to mass unemployment and skyrocketing prices, igniting widespread protests against Suharto’s regime. Civil unrest, coupled with demands for greater democratization, mounted pressure on a regime already weakened by internal conflicts. Suharto attempted reforms to placate critics, but they were seen as too little, too late.

On May 21, 1998, Suharto resigned amidst the growing chaos, marking the end of his 31-year rule. His departure ushered in an era of democratic reform and prompted discussions on accountability and reconciliation. Suharto lived out his post-presidential years in relative quiet amidst sporadic efforts to hold him accountable for the human rights abuses and corruption that marked his reign. He died on January 27, 2008.

The legacy of Suharto is complex. While his era brought economic growth and modern infrastructure, it was also riddled with human rights violations, suppression of freedoms, and endemic corruption. The long-term effects of his rule continue to influence Indonesia's political and social landscape. Suharto is a figure whose influence is felt in both the achievements and the challenges faced by modern Indonesia.