TRAGEDI TRISAKTI YANG MENGERIKAN - 12 Mei 1998 Full Documentary

Background

The documentary traces the Trisakti shootings to Indonesia’s economic and political crisis in 1997–98. After years of rapid growth, the Asian financial crisis began in Thailand and spread to Indonesia. The rupiah fell sharply, prices of basic goods rose, and unemployment and hardship increased.

The film links public anger to corruption, collusion, and nepotism under President Suharto, who had been re-elected for a seventh term.

Protests and Government Response

Students and activists staged protests across the country, demanding reform and eventually Suharto’s resignation. The documentary describes the authorities’ response as repressive, including arrests and the use of force. It also recounts deadly unrest in Medan after a fuel-price increase in May 1998.

The Trisakti Shootings

On May 12, about 6,000 people gathered at Trisakti University for a peaceful demonstration and a planned march to the national legislature. Security forces blocked their route. After negotiations and rising tensions, officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas. The documentary says they also fired rubber and live ammunition as students retreated toward campus.

Four students were killed, and more than 600 people were injured:

• Elang Mulia Lesmana
• Hafidin Royan
• Heri Hertanto
• Hendriawan Sie

Aftermath

The shootings intensified protests. The documentary says that from May 13 to 15, looting, arson, and racially charged attacks struck parts of Jakarta and other areas, with Chinese Indonesians and their businesses among the targets.

Students later occupied the national legislature. Suharto resigned on May 21, ending his 32-year rule.

Accountability

The film concludes that accountability for the Trisakti killings remains unresolved. It says autopsies found that the students had been killed by live bullets, while the police chief at the time denied that officers had used them.

In 2002, a military court sentenced several field-level defendants to prison terms of three to six years. According to the documentary, senior officials who may have ordered or been responsible for the shootings were not held accountable.

Presenters and Contributors

The narrator and interview speakers are not identified in the subtitles. Named authors cited include Nurul Komariyah Pramisti and Ahmad Muawal Hasan.