Sejarah Petrus, Para Penembak Misterius di Era Orde Baru

Understanding the Petrus Policy in Indonesia

Introduction to Klitih and Historical Context

• The recent rise of "klitih" cases in Jogja has caused public fear and distrust towards security forces, highlighting societal concerns about crime.

• Discussion on how older generations recall President Soeharto's era, particularly the controversial "Petrus" policy aimed at crime reduction during the New Order regime.

Overview of the New Order Era

• The New Order period under President Soeharto is characterized by significant military actions against perceived threats, including communism and criminal elements.

• "Petrus," short for "penembak misterius," refers to a covert operation targeting alleged criminals without due process, raising ethical questions about human rights.

Identification of Criminal Elements

• The military identified suspects based on physical appearance—long hair, tattoos, and scars—which were seen as indicators of criminality.

• This identification method reflects societal biases where certain looks were associated with negative connotations during the New Order.

Government Mindset and Policies

• Understanding Petrus requires insight into the government's mindset post-communism; prioritizing stability over individual freedoms led to drastic measures against crime.

• The New Order faced economic crises and separatist issues, prompting extreme policies that compromised personal liberties for collective safety.

Implementation of the Petrus Policy

• Despite its harshness, the Petrus policy was deemed effective in creating a semblance of stability which facilitated rapid economic growth.

• Rising crime rates in urban areas like Jakarta prompted government action; thus began an aggressive crackdown on suspected criminals through extrajudicial means.

Escalation of Violence Under Petrus

• By 1982, violent crimes surged leading to government-sanctioned killings without judicial oversight as a response to public outcry over rising criminality.

• Victims often included petty criminals whose bodies were found executed—a grim reflection of state-sanctioned violence under this policy.

Operational Tactics Used in Petrus

• In March 1982, Soeharto directed police and military forces to implement strategies that included extrajudicial killings as part of their operations against crime.

• Initial efforts focused on documenting former criminals but quickly escalated into lethal actions against those labeled as societal threats.

Consequences and Public Perception

• Operations involved kidnappings where individuals were taken from various locations—including police stations—and executed without trial.

• Media coverage highlighted gruesome discoveries of tattooed corpses linked to these operations, shaping public perception around both fear and acceptance of such measures.

Political Power and Criminal Elements in Indonesia

The Relationship Between Authorities and Criminals

• The narrative suggests that political authorities often collaborate with criminals, describing them as "legal thugs" who are utilized for various political maneuvers.

• Bati Mulyono, a notable figure associated with the Fajar Menyingsing Foundation, is highlighted as an example of this relationship, having connections to influential politicians in Central Java.

• During the 1982 elections, criminal groups like Bati's were reportedly hired by political parties to incite violence against rival factions, illustrating the intertwining of crime and politics.

• The chaos at Lapangan Banteng during a campaign rally resulted from such provocations; while some were arrested as instigators, those hired remained untouched by law enforcement.

• Despite his connections, Bati faced danger from state-sanctioned operations targeting criminals (Petrus), leading him to live in hiding after an assassination attempt.

Impact of State Operations on Crime Rates

• Following the initiation of anti-crime operations in 1983, there was a significant decline in crime rates across Yogyakarta and Semarang due to aggressive policing tactics.

• Intelligence agencies provided lists of suspected criminals to military commanders, urging public cooperation for self-surrender under threat of severe consequences for non-compliance.

• This ultimatum created confusion among potential targets about their status regarding the operation's criteria for surrendering or facing repercussions.

• By mid-1983, over 441 individuals surrendered due to fear and uncertainty stemming from these operations; media coverage elicited mixed reactions from various societal leaders.

Controversies Surrounding Petrus Operations

• Prominent figures like Adam Malik criticized the extrajudicial killings associated with Petrus operations as violations of legal principles that could lead to national instability.

• President Soeharto distanced himself from acknowledging military effectiveness in reducing crime through these methods while justifying them as necessary deterrents against criminality.

• Benny Moerdani described casualties resulting from gang conflicts rather than state actions; however, many innocent people also fell victim due to mistaken identities or associations with targeted individuals.

• In 1983 alone, reports indicated that 532 people died due to these operations—many being non-criminal individuals caught up in broader sweeps against perceived threats.

International Reactions and Human Rights Concerns

• The global community took notice of the human rights implications surrounding Petrus operations; organizations like Amnesty International reached out without receiving responses from Indonesian authorities.

• Critiques emerged regarding how indiscriminate violence affected not only known criminals but also ordinary citizens who shared names or characteristics with targets on police lists.

The Impact of International Pressure on Indonesia's Operations

The Greater Interest Behind the Preman Issue

• The discussion highlights that there are larger interests at play beyond just addressing the deaths of preman (thugs) in Indonesia.

• International pressure is mounting on the Indonesian government, urging them to take decisive action against operations like Petrus.

• There is a notable division among domestic figures regarding this issue, reflecting a broader societal debate.

Operation Petrus: Overview and Consequences

• Operation Petrus was fully halted in 1985 after being initiated by Soeharto in 1982, with active operations from 1983 to 1985.

• This operation resulted in over 1,000 casualties according to data released by the Commission for Missing Persons and Violence Actions.

• The peak of violence during this operation occurred in 1983, indicating significant turmoil during that period.

Public Opinion on Crime Control Measures

• The transcript poses a question about public opinion regarding the potential reintroduction of similar operations to combat crime such as theft and robbery prevalent in Indonesia.

• Viewers are encouraged to express their opinions in the comments section, fostering community engagement around this contentious topic.