August 20, 2026 | 03:01 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The turmoil surrounding the September 30 Movement (G30S) in 1965 brought Oei Tjoe Tat a new assignment in Sukarno's government. After receiving Bung Karno's orders to mobilize Chinese Indonesians along the borders of Sumatra and Kalimantan during the "Crush Malaysia" campaign, Oei was instructed to join the Fact-Finding Commission investigating the events of 1965. The presidential order came on December 24, 1965.
After the commission was established, Sukarno's aide summoned Oei to meet the President. He was called in alone. None of the other commissioners—including Home Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Soemarno Sastroatmodjo, who had been appointed chair of the commission—was present.
Sukarno instructed Oei not to accept at face value the findings of the commission, which was investigating the events that had led to the deaths of six Army generals and one Army officer. The President reminded the Minister of State to engage directly with the people. "You will work alone and in secret," Oei recalled Sukarno telling him in Memoar Oei Tjoe Tat: Pembantu Presiden Soekarno (The Memoirs of Oei Tjoe Tat: Assistant to President Sukarno).
Armed with the special assignment from the President, Oei traveled to several regions to gather information. Ariel Heryanto, an academic at Monash University in Australia, later heard directly from Oei about how the commission conducted its investigation into the September 30 Movement. Ariel is related to Oei through his wife, Sujanti Marsudi, who is Oei's niece by marriage.
The Short Life of a Presidential Aide's Memoir
1 hari lalu
Oei Tjoe Tat wrote his memoir as a form of passive resistance against the New Order. His home was later besieged by mass organizations.
Oei Tjoe Tat: The Unrecorded Name
1 hari lalu
Oei Tjoe Tat faded into Indonesia's history. He championed the universal idea of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and practiced Cold War diplomacy.
Why Sukarno Chose Oei Tjoe Tat as Minister
2 hari lalu
Oei Tjoe Tat was appointed a minister because of his work in civic organizations. He became close to President Sukarno's family.
A Test of Loyalty Behind Bars
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Oei Tjoe Tat closely observed the behavior of fellow prisoners during his years behind bars. His loyalty to Sukarno was also put to the test in prison
Oei Tjoe Tat in the Crush Malaysia Operation
3 hari lalu
Oei Tjoe Tat was involved in the "Crush Malaysia" campaign. His cover was blown by Indonesian Communist Party leader Dipa Nusantara Aidit.
Why Oei Tjoe Tat Matters
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Oei Tjoe Tat was a loyalist of Sukarno who was imprisoned under the New Order regime. He fought for equal rights for Chinese Indonesians.
