Amir Machmud

Amir Machmud (Cimahi, West Java, 21 February 1923 – Bandung, West Java, 21 April 1995) was an Indonesian Military General who was an eyewitness to the signing of the Supersemar document transferring power from President Sukarno to General Suharto.
Early life.
Amir Machmud was born on 21 February 1923 at Cimahi, West Java. He was the second of five siblings and his father worked for a public company under the Dutch Colonial Government.
After completing his education in 1940, Amir Machmud began thinking of a career which he would undertake. In 1941 he took a topography course, although nothing ever came out of it.
Military career.
The Japanese Occupation.
In 1942, the Dutch Colonial Government was defeated by the Japanese Imperial Army and Indonesia came under the occupation of the Japanese Empire. By 1943, with the tide of the war beginning to turn against them, the Japanese established the Defenders of the Motherland Army (PETA). PETA was an auxiliary force which contained of Indonesians and was designed to bolster the number of troops for the Japanese and assist them in fighting the United States should they decide to invade Java. Amir Machmud joined PETA and rose to become a platoon Commander.
KODAM VI/Siliwangi.
On 17 August 1945, nationalist leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesia's Independence. Days later, Sukarno called for able-bodied Indonesians to collect weapons and group themselves in preparation of the establishment of an Indonesian Army. Militia groups known as the People's Security Body (BKR) were formed and Amir Machmud headed one in Lembang, West Java.
In 1946, after the People's Security Army (TKR) had been established, the Lembang BKR was integrated into Kodam VI/Siliwangi (Siliwangi Division), a military regional command responsible for the security of West Java. Amir Machmud was then transferred to North Bandung, where he led his troops in battles against British troops and Dutch troops, who were eager to retain their colonial empire.
Amirmachmud and KODAM VI/Siliwangi was then forced to leave West Java in 1948 after the signing of the Renville Agreement. Under this agreement, the Indonesian Government was forced to recognize territories which had been taken under Dutch Control and this included West Java. Under the command of Colonel Abdul Haris Nasution, KODAM VI/Siliwangi was relocated to Central Java. During the same year, Amir Machmud would join his troops in a crackdown on the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) at Madiun.
In 1949, with the Dutch beginning to withdraw from Indonesia, Amir Machmud and his troops returned to West Java. There, he would be involved in skirmishes against the Darul Islam movement, a separatist group who wanted to establish a theocratic Indonesia under the religion of Islam. In 1950, Amir Machmud was also involved in a crackdown against the Just King Armed Forces (APRA), a military group which entered Bandung and started targeting TNI soldiers.
Once the situation began to settle down, Amir Machmud had a relatively uneventful military career and served as a Battalion Commander in Tasikmalaya and Garut before being appointed a Regimental Chief of Staff in Bogor. After serving in Bogor, he served as a Chief of Staff to the Commander of KODAM VI/Siliwangi.
Army Headquarters and Army Staff College (Seskoad).
In 1958, Amir Machmud was transferred to Jakarta where he worked as a staff member at the Army headquarters for two years.
In 1960, Amir Machmud was sent to Bandung to attend Seskoad. Here, he learned about politics and economics, important subjects for a soldier in an Army getting more and more involved in the running of the Government. He also became acquainted with Suharto during his time at Seskoad.
The Army General Reserve (Caduad) and Western New Guinea.
Once he had completed his Seskoad course, Amir Machmudwas appointed Caduad Deputy Chief of Staff. Caduad, who would go on to become Kostrad was a strategic force which was designed to be on stand by at all times so that it could easily be summoned during any national emergency. Caduad was commanded by Suharto, who appeared to like Amir Machmud enough to appoint him to this position.
In 1962, President Sukarno was determined that Indonesia would occupy Western New Guinea and formed a war command for the liberation of Western New Guinea. For this operation, Suharto was appointed Field Commander and once again, he showed his trust in Amir Machmud by appointing him to the position of Head of the Operational Staff. However, after some minor military incursions, the Netherlands yielded under pressure of the United States and signed the New York Agreement to transfer Western New Guinea to Indonesia, provided a plebiscite would be held in which Western New Guinea could vote for independence.
KODAM X/Lambung Mangkurat.
Amir Machmud would now have his first stint as a Regional Commander. In 1962, he was appointed Commander of KODAM X/Lambung Mangkurat, which was responsible for the security of South Kalimantan.
It was during this time that the 30 September Movement made a coup attempt in Jakarta on 1 October 1965. The movement announced the formation of a Revolutionary Council which including Amir Machmud as a member. 30 September Movement, like many other anti-Communist Generals who were on the list, was quick to deny membership. The day would finish with Suharto taking back control of the situation in Jakarta and the PKI being accused of being behind the coup attempt.
KODAM V/Jaya.
In December 1965, Amir Machmud was appointed Commander of KODAM V/Jaya and he was now responsible for the security of Jakarta and its surrounding areas.
Amirmachmud's appointment came at a crucial point in Indonesian history and it was during his appointment that Suharto was beginning to gather political support and momentum to mount a challenge to Sukarno. Amirmachmud, like most of his Army colleagues threw their support behind Suharto.
At the beginning of 1966, Sukarno's popularity declined enough for people to openly oppose him via the means of protests. The most vocal of the protesters was the Indonesian Students Action Front (KAMI) which on 10 January demanded that the PKI be banned, PKI sympathizers be arrested and for prices to be lowered. Amir Machmud and the Army supported, encouraged, and protected the protesters. To make things more practical, Amir Machmud together with Umar Wirahadikusumah (the Kostrad Commander) and Sarwo Edhie Wibowo (the RPKAD Commander) authorized Kostrad Chief of Staff, Kemal Idris to take control of their troops which were now concentrated in Jakarta.
There was duality to Amir Machmud's stance at this point. Politically, he was with Suharto, the Army, and the anti-Sukarno protesters. At the same time however, he felt a professional responsibility to prevent Jakarta being reduced to chaos by all the protests and demonstrations. In February, Amir Machmud actually banned protests in Jakarta. This ban was ignored.
Supersemar.
On 11 March 1966, Sukarno held a Cabinet Meeting and invited Amir Machmud to attend. Before the meeting Sukarno asked Amir Machmud if the situation was secure to which Amir Machmud responded that it was. Sukarno then began the meeting which was marked conspicuously by Suharto's absence. Ten minutes into the meeting, Amir Machmud was approached by Brigadier General Sabur, the Commander of the Presidential Bodyguards. Sabur said that there were unidentified troops outside the palace. Amir Machmud told Sabur to not worry about it.
Five minutes later, Sabur repeated the message, this time notifying Sukarno of the problem as well. Sukarno quickly suspended the meeting and left the room with Amir Machmud. Insisting that Sukarno would be safe, Amir Machmud discussed security options with the President and decided that Bogor would be a safe enough place to avoid the tense situation.
The meeting was adjourned after Sukarno left for Bogor with a helicopter and Amir Machmud was joined by Major General Basuki Rachmat, who was the Minister of Veterans' Affairs and Brigadier General Mohammad Jusuf, who was the Minister of Industry. Jusuf suggested that the three of them go to Bogor to provide from moral support for Sukarno. The other two generals agreed and together, the three left to Bogor after asking for Suharto's permission. According to Amir Machmud, Suharto asked the three generals to tell Sukarno of his readiness to restore security should the President order it.
At Bogor, the three met with Sukarno and once again Amir Machmud said to Sukarno that the situation was secure. Sukarno became angry with him, asking how the situation could be secure when the protests were happening. Sukarno then began discussing options with Basuki, Jusuf, and Amir Machmud before finally asking them how he could take care of the situation. Amir Machmud suggested that Sukarno give Suharto some powers and govern Indonesia with him so that everything can be secured. The meeting then disbanded as Sukarno began preparing a Presidential Decree.
It was dusk when the decree that would become the Supersemar was finally prepared and awaiting Sukarno's signature. Sukarno had some last-minute doubts but Amir Machmud, the other two generals, and members of Sukarno's inner circle in the cabinet who had also made the trip to Bogor encouraged him to sign. Sukarno finally signed and handed the Supersemar to Basuki to be passed on to Suharto. On the way back to Jakarta, Amir Machmud asked to read the document and seemed shocked to find out that it was a handover of power to Suharto. He would later claim that the Supersemar was a miracle.
On 13 March, Sukarno summoned Amir Machmud, Basuki, and Jusuf. Sukarno was angry that Suharto had banned the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) and told the three generals that Supersemar did not contain such instructions. Sukarno then ordered that a letter be produced to clarify the contents of Supersemar but nothing ever came up apart from the copies that former Cuban Ambassador, AM Hanafi recollected.
Political career.
Minister of Home Affairs.
As Suharto removed Sukarno from power and replaced him as president in 1967, Amir Machmud continued as Commander of Kodam V/Jaya. In early 1969, Basuki, who became the Minister of Home Affairs died suddenly. Amir Machmud was then transferred from his position as Commander to Kodam V/Jaya to take Basuki's place as Minister of Home Affairs.
During his tenure as Minister of Home Affairs, Amir Machmud developed a reputation of being tough on government opponents and dissidents. This earned him the nickname of "The Bulldozer. He also dealt harshly with the people who had gone to prison for allegedly being involved with the PKI. In 1981, he ordered that the former convicts be given special supervision.
Amir Machmud also helped strengthen Suharto's control over Indonesia. In 1969, he banned civil servants from being involved in politics but would encourage them to vote to Golkar in Legislative Elections as a sign of loyalty to the government. In 1971, Amirmachmud was influential in the formation of the Indonesian Civil Servants' Corps (KORPRI).
Chairman of the General Elections Organization (LPU).
In addition to being Minister of Home Affairs, Amir Machmud was also the Chairman of the General Elections Institute (LPU). The Legislative elections of 1971, 1977, and 1982 were held under his supervision.
Chairman of the MPR and DPR.
In 1982, Amir Machmud was elected as the chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and like all the other chairmen of the MPR, he was also concurrently elected to the position of the speaker of the People's Representative Council (DPR).
Amir Machmud presided over the 1983 MPR General Session which saw Suharto being elected to a 4th term as President with Umar Wirahadikusumah being elected to the Vice Presidency. Under his chairmanship, the MPR also awarded Suharto the title of "The Father of Development" in recognition of what he had achieved.
In the DPR, Amir Machmud presided over the passing of laws which reorganized the structure of the MPR, DPR, and Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), set the rules for Political Parties, and laid down the guidelines for a referendum.
Retired Life and Death.
Amir Machmud went into retirement after completing his term as the Chairman of MPR/Head of DPR. He died on 21 April 1995.
Family.
Amir Machmud was married to Siti Hadidjah, with whom he had two children, Anon Badariah and Bambang Permadi Amirmachmud. The four-star general had 10 grandchildren. When Siti died he remarried Shri Hardhani Sadat Siswojo.
Miscellaneous.
Amir Machmud became close friends with fellow Supersemar witness, M Jusuf. Before he died, Amir Machmud had requested that Jusuf attend his funeral. This request was never fulfilled as Jusuf was unable to attend the funeral. Amir Machmud also left Jusuf a secret letter.