Pancasila Sakti Monument

Pancasila Sakti Monument: Abstraction of Struggle and National Collective Memory

Monumen Pancasila Sakti stands as one of Indonesia's most crucial historical sites, a silent witness to a dark event that altered the nation's political course. Located in Lubang Buaya Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta, this monument is more than just concrete and bronze; it is a visual narrative of loyalty to the state ideology. The site was built to commemorate the struggle of the Heroes of the Revolution who fell during the September 30, 1965 Movement (G30S) event.

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Historical Origins and Construction Period

The construction of Monumen Pancasila Sakti was initiated shortly after Indonesia's political situation began to stabilize under the New Order government. The project commenced in mid-1967 and was inaugurated by President Soeharto on October 1, 1973, coinciding with Pancasila Sanctity Day. The choice of Lubang Buaya as the location was based on the historical fact that this area was a training base for Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani, affiliated with the PKI, and served as the disposal site for the bodies of abducted TNI AD officers.

The area covers approximately 14.6 hectares. Before becoming a monument, this place was merely vacant land and a remote residential area on the outskirts of Jakarta. The transformation of this land into a memorial site aimed to create a memorial space so that similar events would not recur in the future.

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Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Monumen Pancasila Sakti adopts a socialist realism style combined with nationalist symbolism. The main icon of the complex is a 17-meter-high curved wall, atop which stand seven bronze statues of the Heroes of the Revolution. These statues represent:

• Jenderal TNI Anumerta Ahmad Yani
• Letjen TNI Anumerta Suprapto
• Letjen TNI Anumerta S. Parman
• Letjen TNI Anumerta M.T. Haryono
• Majjen TNI Anumerta DI Panjaitan
• Majjen TNI Anumerta Sutoyo Siswomiharjo
• Kapten Czi Anumerta Pierre Tendean

Behind the row of statues, there is a monumental wall with a relief stretching 50 meters long. This relief visually sculpts the chronology of the events, from the societal conditions before the rebellion, the coup process, to the suppression of the movement by the TNI. Above the statue wall, there is a Garuda Pancasila symbol with outstretched wings, symbolizing the protection of the state ideology against any threat.

The construction of the statues was carried out by Indonesian master sculptor Edhi Sunarso, also known for other iconic works such as the Selamat Datang Monument. The use of high-quality bronze material ensures that the facial details and uniforms of the heroes are rendered with great precision and expressiveness.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

The primary historical value of Monumen Pancasila Sakti lies in the existence of the Sumur Maut (Well of Death). This old well, approximately 12 meters deep and 75 centimeters in diameter, is where the bodies of the officers were discovered on October 4, 1965. The discovery of this well became a turning point in Indonesian history, triggering a massive backlash against the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

In addition to the well, three original buildings have been preserved as open-air museums:

1. Rumah Penyiksaan (Torture House): A small hut used by rebel forces for interrogation and torture of the officers.

2. Pos Komando (Command Post): A resident's house belonging to a citizen named Bambang Harjono, which was taken over as the coordination center for the abduction operation.

3. Dapur Umum (Communal Kitchen): A facility used to provide logistics for the supporting troops of the movement.

The site also houses remnants of historical vehicles, such as General Ahmad Yani's official car and the armored vehicles used to transport the bodies to Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery.

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Important Figures and Museum Collections

Besides the seven Heroes of the Revolution, the site also pays tribute to Brigjen Katamso Darmokusumo and Colonel Sugiyono, who fell in Yogyakarta during the same event. Within the monument complex, there are two main museums: the Museum of PKI Treachery (Communism) and the Pancasila Sakti Monument Museum.

The Museum of PKI Treachery contains dozens of dioramas depicting various rebellion attempts in different regions of Indonesia from 1945 to 1965. Meanwhile, the Pancasila Sakti Monument Museum focuses more on the personal artifacts of the heroes, including the last clothes they wore when abducted, which still bear bloodstains and bullet marks. The presence of these personal items has a strong emotional impact on visitors.

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Preservation and Conservation Status

As a national Cultural Heritage Site, Monumen Pancasila Sakti is strictly managed by the TNI Historical Center. Preservation efforts include regular maintenance of the bronze statues to prevent corrosion, as well as conservation of the original wooden buildings to ensure their sturdiness despite being over half a century old. Dramatic lighting has been installed around the well area and the monument to create a solemn atmosphere, especially during state ceremonies.

Renovations and restorations are carried out periodically on the museum sections without altering the original structure of the existing historical buildings. The digitalization of narratives has also begun to be implemented to attract the interest of younger generations in learning history through multimedia technology within the museum.

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Cultural and Educational Significance

For the Indonesian people, Monumen Pancasila Sakti is not just a historical tourist attraction but an ideological pilgrimage site. Every October 1st, this place becomes the center of national attention as the President of the Republic of Indonesia leads the Pancasila Sanctity Day ceremony in the monument's main square.

Culturally, this site serves as a "memento mori" for the Indonesian nation regarding the dangers of disintegration. Although the historical narrative presented often becomes the subject of in-depth academic discussion, the monument remains a symbol of state sovereignty. Visitors, ranging from students to the general public, are expected to absorb the values of patriotism and the importance of maintaining unity amidst Indonesia's diversity.

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Unique Facts and Specific Details

One rarely known unique fact is that the well where the bodies were disposed of was originally a dry residential water well. Its narrow depth made the process of evacuating the bodies in 1965 very difficult and was carried out by the elite KIPAM unit (now Taifib) of the TNI AL Marine Corps. Additionally, the rubber trees in the surrounding area are original vegetation that has been preserved to maintain the authentic atmosphere of the Lubang Buaya area in 1965, creating a quiet and eerie ambiance that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of Jakarta city outside the monument walls.