For the past 6 days, I’ve been spending my time reading “Dalih Pembunuhan Massal:Gerakan 30 September dan Kudeta Suharto” by John Roosa. FYI, this book is included to 5 books which got publishing prohibitation from attorney general of Indonesia on last December. Since we couldn’t get this book from any bookstore, finally I found the e-book on John Roosa blog. you can alson download it on http://johnroosa-dpm.blogspot.com/
I’m on my halfway to finish my reading but I’m so impatience to review this book. i can tell you this book is different from any other history or research books about G-30-S. From many Indonesia History book, G-30-S or Gerakan 30 September was described as a coup movement from Indonesia Comunist Party (PKI) that held in 1965. Indonesia people used to blame PKI (and *former president* Soekarno) for all the mess that happen in Indonesia especially on the goverment. In result Soekarno must gave over his politic dominance to Soeharto, and followed with masse massacre of PKI members. But, was it really a coup? should PKI, or even Soekarno take responsibility for it? or maybe, it was a military anti-comunist/anti-soekarno coup headed by Soeharto himself? Now it’s time for me to give my review..
Roosa’s book is more comprehensive than any other. Consist of military special court (mahkamah luar biasa), Goverment, and CIA archives, interviews with former member of PKI who saved from masse massacre and dead sentence, and analysis of premises on previous books. if previous books rather discriminate in favour of soeharto government or PKI and Sokarno, here in this book Roosa explains G-30-S chronogical from side to side. but I admit, most of his analysis sources are from PKI former member, the scapegoat of G-30-S. till now, PKI is considered as forbiding party, anything related or affiliated to it are not allowed. no wonder this book was prohibitted by Indonesian Goverment nowadays. Case that ought to not happen in this democracy era.
ah, enough with my brief review, I’m going to continue reading. considerable study will come to you soon ;)