Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI, Partai Komunis Indonesia). A major political party in Indonesia banned in 1965.
It was one of the largest communist parties in the world during the mid-20th century, third in size to the Communist parties of the USSR and the People’s Republic of China.
Founded in 1914 as the Indiesche Sociaal-Democratische Vereeniging (ISDV), it became the PKI in 1924 and played a significant role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule.
The party was banned following the failed 1965 coup attempt, which led to a violent anti-communist purge and the rise of Suharto’s ‘New Order’ regime.
History and Influence
The PKI grew rapidly in the 1950s and early 1960s under the leadership of Dipa Nusantara Aidit, becoming a key political force alongside Sukarno’s nationalist government.
Advocating for land reform and workers’ rights, the party gained strong support among peasants, labor unions, and intellectuals.
However, its close ties to Sukarno’s ‘Guided Democracy‘ and alleged involvement in the 30 September Movement (G30S) in 1965 led to its brutal suppression.
The subsequent mass killings (1965–66), backed by the Indonesian military, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million alleged communists and sympathizers.
Legacy and Modern Relevance
Despite its dissolution, the PKI remains a contentious subject in Indonesian politics. The party is still officially banned, and communist symbolism is heavily restricted.
Historians debate its actual role in the 1965 coup, with some arguing it was a scapegoat for military consolidation of power. The PKI’s legacy influences contemporary discussions on human rights, historical justice, and political repression in Indonesia.