Indonesia G30S/PKI: History and controversies of the 1965 movement

The G30S/PKI movement, occurring between September 30 and October 1, 1965, remains one of the most significant and debated periods in Indonesian history. The event involved the kidnapping and killing of several high-ranking Indonesian Army generals by a military group known as the September 30th Movement.

Key victims included Ahmad Yani, M.T. Haryono, D.I. Panjaitan, Suprapto, S. Parman, Sutoyo, and Pierre Tendean. While General A.H. Nasution managed to escape, the victims' bodies were discovered in a well in the Lubang Buaya area. The movement was officially attributed to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) under the leadership of D.N. Aidit, though various theories and controversies regarding the true masterminds persist.

The incident was preceded by intense political tension and rumors of a ‘Council of Generals’ (Dewan Jenderal) allegedly planning a coup against President Soekarno. The aftermath of the movement marked the end of President Soekarno’s administration and the rise of the New Order regime under Soeharto.