Get to know important figures and fallen revolutionary heroes from the G30S PKI

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The G30S PKI tragedy, which occurred on the night between September 30 and the early hours of October 1, 1965, became one of the most decisive events in Indonesia’s modern history.

Understanding the figures involved and who were victims is very important so that the current generation can retrace the political dynamics, ideology and struggles that occurred at that time.

From the leaders of the September 30 Movement to the fallen officers of the TNI AD, each figure played a role that shaped the course of events, leaving behind valuable lessons about courage, sacrifice, and the importance of maintaining national unity.

Below is a list of important figures in the G30S PKI tragedy who were involved and who died, based on information gathered from various sources.

Read also: Background and timeline of G30S PKI in Indonesian history

Get to know the important people in the G30S PKI incident

There are at least 10 important figures linked to the G30S PKI accident, both those directly involved and the revolutionary heroes who died in this accident.

Three figures involved in the G30S PKI incident

1. DN Aidit – General President of the PKI

Dipa Nusantara Aidit, born in Bangka on 30 July 1923, is known as the main figure behind the G30S PKI incident. He became general secretary of the PKI in 1953 and then president of the PKI from 1959.

Under his leadership, the PKI grew rapidly, becoming the fourth largest party in the 1955 elections with 16.4% of the vote. After the failed coup, Aidit went into hiding in Yogyakarta, but was captured and shot dead on 21 November 1965 in Sambeng village, Boyolali.

2. Lieutenant Colonel Untung Sjamsuri – Leader of Cakrabirawa

Born on July 3, 1926 in Kebumen, Lieutenant Colonel Untung served as commander of the Cakrabirawa Battalion that protected President Sukarno. He has strong military experience, including receiving the Bintang Sakti during the 1962 Operation Trikora.

In G30S PKI, Untung led Cakrabirawa troops in the kidnapping of seven generals. After that incident he fled, was arrested in Brebes and executed in 1966.

3. Sjam Kamaruzaman – President of the PKI Special Bureau

Sjam Kamaruzaman, born April 30, 1924 in Tuban, was the leader of the PKI special office responsible for planning a coup and the assassination of seven generals.

He is known as a figure who resembles an ordinary businessman, but plays a key role in planning the G30S’s PKI action. Sjam was captured at Cimahi on 9 March 1967, although his final fate is not entirely clear.

Read also: Inspiration for the last 30 G30S/PKI commemorative wishes on September 30, 2025

Seven revolutionary heroes died in the G30S PKI crash

1. General (posthumous) Ahmad Yani

General Ahmad Yani was born on June 19, 1922 and served as the sixth commander of the TNI AD during the reign of President Sukarno. He was one of the victims of the G30S PKI crash at his house located at Jalan Latuharhary no. 6, Menteng, Central Jakarta. This event tragically took his life as part of the seven fallen heroes of the revolution.

2. Lieutenant General (posthumous) Siswondo Parman

Born on 4 August 1918 in Wonosobo, Central Java, Lieutenant General S. Parman was one of the highest-ranking officials of the TNI AD during the Old Order. He has an educational background in intelligence and was sent to Japan to study intelligence at Kenpei Kasya Butai.

After the proclamation of independence, Parman devoted himself to strengthening the Indonesian army. During the G30S PKI incident, he was abducted from his home around 04:30 WIB by soldiers wearing Cakrabirawa uniforms and shot him to death.

3. Lieutenant General (posthumous) Mas Tirtodarmo Haryono

Mas Tirtodarmo Haryono or MT Haryono was born on January 20, 1924 in Surabaya, East Java. Before entering the military, he studied at Ika Dai Gaku (medical school) in Jakarta during the Japanese occupation.

After Indonesia’s independence, Haryono joined the People’s Security Army (TKR) and was given the rank of major. On the night of the G30S PKI incident, he was one of the victims who managed to escape for a moment, but was eventually shot dead.

Read also: 5 ideas for educational activities to commemorate the PKI G30S event in 2025

4. Lieutenant General (posthumous) Raden Suprapto

General Suprapto was born on 20 June 1920 in Purwokerto. He studied at the Royal Military Academy in Bandung, but had to interrupt it due to the Japanese occupation.

Early in independence, Suprapto fought in an attempt to seize weapons from Japanese troops in Cilacap and then joined the People’s Security Army (TKR) in Purwokerto.

He also took part in the Battle of Ambarawa as an aide to Commander-in-Chief Sudirman. Suprapto eventually became a victim of the G30S PKI after playing a role in quelling the PKI rebellion in several areas.

5. Major General (posthumous) Donlad Isaac Panjaitan

Donald Ignatius Panjaitan, better known as DI Panjaitan, was born on 9 June 1925 in Balige, Tapanuli. During the Japanese occupation, he attended Gyugun military education. After completing his education, Panjaitan was placed in Pekanbaru, Riau, until independence was proclaimed.

He then helped form the People’s Security Army (TKR) and had a notable military career. During the G30S PKI incident, DI Panjaitan was kidnapped and shot dead.

Read also: Pancasila and politics without revenge

6. Major General (posthumous) Sutoyo Siswomiharjo

Sutoyo Siswomiharjo was born on August 28, 1922 in Kebumen, Central Java. During the Japanese occupation, he studied at the Jakarta Employees’ Higher Education Center. After completing his studies, Sutoyo worked as a civil servant at the Purworejo regency office.

After the proclamation, he joined the People’s Security Army (TKR) in the police department, then became a member of the military police force. He was once appointed aide to Colonel Gatot Subroto and became head of the organizational section of the Army’s Second Police Regiment in Purworejo. Sutoyo became one of the victims of the G30S PKI, she was kidnapped and shot dead.

7. Captain (posthumous) Pierre Tendean

Pierre Tendean was born on February 21, 1939 in Batavia (Jakarta) and was known as a talented young officer. He is believed to be the aide of General AH Nasution. On the night of the G30S PKI incident, Tendean was captured by the rebel group after being mistaken for Nasution and then killed.

Previously, Pierre completed military training at the Army Engineering Academy, was involved in operations to suppress the PRRI rebellion in Sumatra, and served as a second lieutenant and platoon commander of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion Kodam II/Bukit Barisan, including service with the Army’s Central Intelligence Service (DIPIAD).

By knowing the profiles of important figures who were involved or were victims of the G30S PKI tragedy, the current generation can better understand the problems of this accident.

Beyond this, remembering the services of the heroes of the revolution encourages us to emulate the spirit of unity, steadfastness and love of country they demonstrated, so that these values remain alive in the life of the nation and the state.

Read also: PKI G30S Notice: Means and meaning of the flag at half-mast

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