DEMOKRASI TERPIMPIN DI INDONESIA | Sejarah Indonesia

Summary

The video explains Indonesia’s Guided Democracy period (1959–1965), its establishment under President Sukarno, its major political policies, and the increasing concentration of political power in the presidency.

Why Guided Democracy Was Introduced

According to the video, Sukarno supported replacing Liberal Democracy because:

• Political parties competed in ways he believed put group interests ahead of national interests.
• The Constituent Assembly failed to produce a new constitution.
• Sukarno considered Liberal Democracy an imported system unsuited to Indonesia.

The stated goal was to stabilize political life.

The 1959 Presidential Decree

In early July 1959, Sukarno met with government officials, military leaders, and other prominent figures. The video says they agreed to return to the 1945 Constitution. On July 5, 1959, Sukarno issued a Presidential Decree that:

• Dissolved the Constituent Assembly.
• Reinstated the 1945 Constitution, replacing the 1950 Provisional Constitution.
• Provided for the establishment of a provisional MPR and a provisional Supreme Advisory Council.

The decree marked the end of the Liberal Democracy period and the beginning of Guided Democracy.

Political Ideas and Institutions

• Manipol-USDEK: Following Sukarno’s 1959 Independence Day speech, “Rediscovering Our Revolution,” the government promoted a political manifesto. USDEK referred to the 1945 Constitution, Indonesian Socialism, Guided Democracy, Guided Economy, and the Indonesian Personality. The video says Manipol-USDEK became the official ideology and a guide for state policy.
• Restrictions on political parties: Government Regulation No. 7 of 1959 required parties to accept and defend Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, and to pursue their aims peacefully and democratically. It also restricted foreign assistance, required parties to establish branches across a minimum portion of the country, and gave the president authority to investigate party finances and administration and dissolve parties suspected of rebellion.
• National Front: Established under Government Regulation No. 13 of 1959 and chaired by Sukarno, it was intended to pursue the ideals of the Proclamation and the 1945 Constitution.
• Resopim: An idea promoted by Sukarno and described in the subtitles as combining revolution, Indonesian socialism, and national leadership. The video says it aimed to reinforce Sukarno’s position as the country’s leader.
• Nasakom: Sukarno’s effort to unite nationalist, religious, and communist political forces. The video says the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) used this approach to strengthen its political position and present itself as a major supporter of government policies.

Tensions Involving the Military and the PKI

The Indonesian Army opposed the PKI’s growing influence. The subtitles describe the Army ordering the arrest of PKI chairman D. N. Aidit and banning a newspaper referred to in the subtitles as Rakyat Printer. Sukarno objected, demanded that the ban be lifted, and barred the Army from acting against the PKI. Tensions among the Army, political figures, and Sukarno were set aside for a time while Indonesia focused on confrontation with Malaysia.

Departures from Constitutional Principles

The video argues that Guided Democracy increasingly became an expression of Sukarno’s authority rather than a system based on deliberation and representation. It highlights the following actions as deviations from the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila:

• Sukarno was appointed president for life under MPRS Decree No. 3 of 1963.
• Sukarno appointed members of the provisional MPR (MPRS) by presidential decree, requiring their agreement with his political manifesto. The video notes that MPRS members were supposed to be elected.
• The MPRS became subordinate to the president, although the video says the Constitution placed the president under the MPR.
• Sukarno established the provisional Supreme Advisory Council (DPAS) and chaired it himself.
• After the elected DPR rejected the government’s proposed budget, Sukarno dissolved it and established a new body, the DPR-GR (Mutual Cooperation House of Representatives), on June 24, 1960. The video presents the president’s dissolution and re-creation of the DPR as unconstitutional.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Audible speaker: A single narrator or host introducing the history video for the Dinasti Ranti channel. No other speaker is heard in the subtitles.
• Historical figures and sources discussed: President Sukarno; the 1945 Constitution; Sukarno’s “Rediscovering Our Revolution” speech; the 1959 Presidential Decree; Government Regulations No. 7 and No. 13 of 1959; and MPRS Decree No. 3 of 1963.