Calls Grow for a National Memorial Honoring 1965 Mass Violence Victims
Indonesian commentators argue that the country’s public monuments should also commemorate the hundreds of thousands killed after the September 30th Movement, not just the generals.
Current Indonesian monuments, such as the Pancasila Sakti Monument at Lubang Buaya and museums honoring the six generals killed during the September 30th Movement, reflect the New Order’s narrative of a communist conspiracy. However, observers note that the subsequent anti-communist purge claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands, including PKI cadres, Gerwani members, labor leaders, educators, artists, ethnic Chinese and countless civilians accused on personal grudges.
They argue that the nation’s commemorative landscape remains silent on these victims. A proposal has emerged to erect a national “Gestok” memorial that would honor the mass violence of October 1 1965 and its aftermath, while preserving existing sites. The call stresses that acknowledging this dark chapter is vital for Indonesia’s democratic consolidation.
Why it matters
Recognizing the 1965 purge victims would foster a fuller historical memory and support democratic reconciliation in Indonesia.
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