- Kopkamtib
Kopkamtib, an acronym for "Komando Operasi Pemulihan Keamanan dan Ketertiban" or "Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order", was a
secret police operation inIndonesia 's "New Order" that continued issues arising from thetransition to the New Order .Origins of Kopkamtib
Following the killing of 6 top generals and failed coup attempt, surviving general, Suharto, accepted President
Sukarno 's order to take control of the army. Suharto's condition was that he be handed full authority to restore order and security, an arrangement that was formalised by creating Kopkamtib. [Ricklefs (1991), p. 287.]The conflict between the forces of the military and their rivals the
Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI), had predated the setting up of the organisation. The formation of Kopkamtib was a legitimisation of military and the New Order governments determination to organise the liquidation of the PKI and its related organisations.By 1968 the PKI was no longer seen as a credible threat to military power, Kopkamtib's role as the
New Order 's main security apparatus remained, as did its surveillance of citizens. [Ricklefs (1991), p. 296.] Kopkamtib played and important role in ensuringGolkar victory in the 1971 general elections. The organisation screened candidates disqualifying about 20 per cent for political reasons. [Ricklefs (1991), p. 296.]Later and post Suharto era
In September 1988 the organisation was closed down. The succeeding organisation was Bakorstanas which it lasted until March 2000.
Deputy Commanders were also known as Chief of Staff of the organisation [ Dijk, Kees van, (2001)"A country in despair : Indonesia between 1997 and 2000" Leiden : KITLV Press. Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde ; 186. ISBN 9067181609. - Appendix D - 'Some key military functions since the 1980's p. 553 ]
Commanders
Chiefs of Staff/ Deputy Commanders
ee also
*
Transition to the New Order
*New Order (Indonesia) Notes
References
*
*Further reading
* (1977) "The role and function of KOPKAMTIB : (the Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order) in the national security system" Jakarta : KOPKAMTIB, (9 page pamphlet)
* (In Indonesian) Sudomo (1982) "Kebijaksanaan Kopkamtib dalam penanggulangan ekstremitas kiri" Laksamana TNI Sudomo Jakarta : Sekretariat Komando Operasi Pemulihan Keamanan dan Ketertiban, 1982.
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