Sukarno

Known as one of the greatest 20th century independent leaders, Sukarno was a very strong nationalist before coming to power, but following his election as Indonesia’s first “president”, he ruled as a brutal dictator. In June 1947, he formed the Indonesian Nationalist Association, also known as the PNI. Sukarno outlined Pancha Sila, the five principles of Indonesia’s government. Pancha Sila was nationalism, internationalism, consensus, social prosperity, and belief in one God. Sukarno strictly followed these principles when he came to power. He enforced nasakom, which was nationalism, religion and communism. This was the ideal basis of Indonesia’s political system. He fought against neokolim, a combination of neocolonialism, colonialism, and imperialism. Indonesia is 85 percent Muslim, and there are many large groups of Hindus and Christians. Sukarno’s main goal during his reign was to bring together and unite Indonesia.

Image of Sukarno
http://www.foto-foto.com/sukarno/sukarno_9.jpg

Sukarno’s early life greatly influenced his desire for independence and brought him to power. Growing up during the period of Dutch colonialism in Java, he excelled at school. To further his education, Sukarno attended a larger high school where he was part of the extreme Indonesian minority. He stayed with a family friend Jokroaminoto, who taught him of resistance to the Dutch. He eventually graduated school, and sought ways to gain Indonesia its independence. Besides the Dutch, Sukarno felt that the geographic, linguistic, politic, and religious divisions were responsible for Indonesia’s lack of independence. This is when he formed the PNI, and his goal was to overthrow the colonial government. For these acts of independence, he was sent to prison, which only martyred Sukarno in the eyes of the Indonesian people. When released, Sukarno continued to preach for independence, and was exiled. He preached at conferences such as the Bandung Conferrence on April 18, 1955 to put and end to colonialsism:
And, I beg of you do not think of colonialism only in the classic form which we of Indonesia, and our brothers in different parts of Asia and Africa, knew. Colonialism has also its modern dress, in the form of economic control, intellectual control, actual physical control by a small but alien community within a nation. It is a skilful and determined enemy, and it appears in many guises. It does not give up its loot easily. Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and one which must be eradicated from the earth. . . .
During the period of exile, World War II began, and the Dutch had to flee to London during their occupation. Sukarno refused their offer of freedom from exile in exchange for supporting pro-Dutch propaganda. By 1942, a new power occupied Indonesia, this time Japan. Sukarno accepted freedom in return for supporting pro-Japanese propaganda. This was symbolic of the fact that Asian nations could resist European colonization. The Indonesians expected more humane treatment from their Japanese invaders, but instead received cruelty and dehumanization that exceeded that of the Dutch. More than 300,000 Indonesians were forced from their villages and only 70,000 returned. The Japanese downfall in 1945 with their surrender to the Allies sent them out of Indonesia, but brought back the Dutch. Eventually, on December 27, 1949, Sukarno became the first president of Indonesia under a provisional constitution.He vividly remebers when he Indonesia gained independence and he was hailed as a hero:

With beating heart I stepped down into the sea of people. We could not get through the crowd. Millions upon millions flooded the sidewalks, the roads. They were crying, cheering, screaming ‘Long Live Bung Karno.'... I raised both hands high. A stillness swept over the millions. There wasn't a sound except for the silent tears; nothing moved. Alhamdullillah—thank God, I cried, we are free.


Sukarno’s rule did not bring the stability Indonesia desperately desired and required but rather brutality. Indonesia went through twelve different governments during the first two years, and though literacy, health care, and other government funded programs increased, there was no political freedom. Sukarno ordered a guided democracy and had parliament dissolved in 1957. Soon Sukarno ruled violently and ordered martial law when rebellions broke out. The nation fell into debt due to Sukarno’s corrupt methods. Furthermore, he diverted attention from his obscene ways by using a policy of “Crush Malaysia”.

The end of Sukarno’s political regime came as a result of ill-health and discontent among his people. The democracy he created should have brought a better life for the people of Indonesia, but instead corruption, inflation, economic instability, and political instability ruled over Indonesia. In 1965, his health faltered, and Sukarno fainted in the midst of a speech, leaving communists the perfect scenario to stage a coup. Their goal was to assassinate eight leading generals and take control of Indonesia, but two generals escaped and were able to create a countercoup. Sukarno was put under house arrest as these two generals purged the nation of communists. One of these two generals was Raden Suharto, who became the new leader of Indonesia. Sukarno died on June, 21, 1970, and he was hailed as the founder of modern Indonesia. Though he still brought a lot of harm to Indonesia, he united a diversified nation, and ended European colonialism. Sadly though, Sukarno’s death was by no means a sign of a prosperous beginning with Suharto rise to power.

Suharto (left) and Sukarno (right) during Sukarno's presidency
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