April 24, 2025 | 02:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Burhannudin Zainuddin Rusdiman, also known as Burhan Kampak, a prominent executioner and hunter of Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) members during the 1965-1966 mass killing in Indonesia, passed away in Yogyakarta on the night of Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
The man, who also founded the Indonesian Anti-Communist Front (FAKI) in Yogyakarta, died at the age of 85.
His story was once featured in Tempo Magazine in 2012, which portrayed him as one of the executioners of PKI cadres and known for always carrying a large axe during his operations.
"Father wasn’t actually ill. Perhaps because of his old age, his body could no longer hold on," said Burhan’s daughter, Laksmi Prita Dewi, when met at the family home in Brontokusuman, Mergangsan, Yogyakarta.
Prita, who had been caring for her father closely for the past ten years, shared that Burhan had lost his appetite over the previous two days. During the last Ramadan, he was no longer able to fast, although he still had the strength to move around the house a little.
"Before Ramadan, he slipped in the bathroom and injured his leg. He was hospitalized for a while, but it turned out there was no serious internal injury. Everything was fine," she said.
After five days in the hospital, Burhan returned home and was able to celebrate Eid with his family.
Prita said her father left no final message. On Wednesday, he was still able to speak lightly and bathe before resting. But at around 10:30 PM local time, Prita checked on him and found no pulse. He was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead.
"He didn’t leave any final words. He just said, ‘Loro, loro’ (pain, pain). When I asked what was hurting, he didn’t respond," she said.
Prita recalled that over the last five years, Burhan had not been active in any organization or activity. However, he frequently emphasized in conversations that he would never allow the PKI or communism to return in Indonesia.
"He always said, ‘I will never allow the PKI or communism to rise again,’" said Prita.
In a September 2012 interview with Tempo at his residence, when he was 72 years old, Burhan passionately recounted his role in hunting PKI members in Yogyakarta during the 1965-1966 period.
At the time, he also held a position as a staff member of Laskar Ampera Aris Margono under the Indonesian Students Action Front (KAMI).
This unit had a license to kill and received training from the Army Commando Regiment in Kaliurang, now known as Kopassus. Burhan was one of ten individuals selected by the RPKAD (Army Special Forces Command) to receive an FN pistol and carry out executions of suspected PKI affiliates.
Burhan never disclosed the exact number of PKI members he had executed. He only revealed that his area of operation included Klaten and Gunungkidul.
He firmly believed that his actions in eliminating PKI cadres were not a mistake. To him, it was a time of ideological warfare.
"My principle back then was, better to kill than be killed," he said.
Burhan will be buried at the Karangkajen Islamic Cemetery in Brontokusuman, Mergangsan, Yogyakarta, on Thursday, April 24, 2025. He is survived by his wife, four children and eight grandchildren.
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