Transition to the New Order

Indonesia's transition to the "New Order" in the mid-1960s, ousts the country's first president, Sukarno after 22 years in the position.

One of the most tumultuous periods in the country's modern history, it is the commencement of Suharto's 31-year presidency.Described as the great dhalang ("puppet master"), Sukarno draws power from balancing the opposing and increasingly antagonistic forces of the army and Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

By 1965, the PKI has extensively penetrated all levels of government and gained influence at the expense of the army.

On September 30, 1965, six of the military's most senior officers are killed in an action (generally labeled an "attempted coup") by the so-called 30 September Movement, a group from within the armed forces.

Within a few hours, Major General Suharto mobilizes forces under his command and takes control of Jakarta.

Anti-communists, initially following the army's lead, go on a violent purge of communists throughout the country, killing an estimated half million people and destroying the PKI, which is officially blamed for the crisis.The politically weakened Sukarno is outmaneuvered and forced to transfer key political and military powers to General Suharto, who has become head of the armed forces.

In March 1967, the Indonesian parliament (MPRS) names General Suharto acting president.

He is formally appointed president one year later.

Sukarno lives under virtual house arrest until his death in 1970.

In contrast to the stormy nationalism, revolutionary rhetoric, and economic failure that characterize the early 1960s under the left-leaning Sukarno, Suharto's pro-Western "New Order" stabilizes the economy and creates a strong central government.

Widely praised for economic development, the "New Order" government is also condemned for its human rights record and corruption.

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