Organisations
All-Indonesia Central Labour Organisation
- Acronym
- SOBSI
- Original name
- Sentral Organisasi Buruh Seluruh Indonesia
- Type
- Indonesian mass organisation
- Country
- Indonesia
- Founded
- 1946
- Dissolved
- 1966
- Description
- Largest Indonesian trade-union federation, aligned with the PKI; banned after 1965.
- Deskripsi
- Federasi serikat buruh terbesar di Indonesia, sehaluan dengan PKI; dilarang setelah 1965.
- Also written as
- SOBSI; Sobsi
1947 – 2025
Often appears with
482 items
Balance sheet of Indonesian political parties
Nieuw Utrechtsch Dagblad, 17 January 1947, p. 2: list drawn up by the Republican paper De Patriot of Indonesian groups for and against the Linggadjati draft agreement. Perwari, PKI, Sobsi, BTI and the Partai Sosialis are listed for; Masjumi, PNI and Partai Wanita Rakjat against. Gerwani/Gerwis (founded later) does not
First anniversary of SOBSI
Short Het Dagblad (Batavia) item (2 Dec 1947, p.2) on the first anniversary of SOBSI, attended by President Sukarno, premier Amir Sjarifuddin and labour minister Mrs S.K. Trimurti. Sukarno's message said workers have a strong ideology and must avoid anarchy and capitalism. Context on Trimurti's labour role; no Gerwani
CIA, International Communist Movements, May-Sep 1948 (Southeast Asia youth conference delegates)
Declassified CIA report 'International Communist Movements, 1 May - 1 September 1948', listing meetings of communist front bodies and delegate travel. Its table for the Southeast Asia Youth Conference lists, for Indonesia, Francisca Fanggidaej of the Badan Kongres Pemuda Republik Indonesia among the delegates, with Sya
CIA, International Communist Movements, May-Sep 1948 (Southeast Asia youth conference delegates)
Declassified CIA report 'International Communist Movements, 1 May - 1 September 1948', listing meetings of communist front bodies and delegate travel. Its table for the Southeast Asia Youth Conference lists, for Indonesia, Francisca Fanggidaej of the Badan Kongres Pemuda Republik Indonesia among the delegates, with Sya
Band leader Lot Salawati arrested in cave
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 16 Nov 1949, front page: correspondent's report from Makassar that Salawati Daud, municipal councillor and 'well-known extreme-leftist lady', led the armed gang that raided Masamba prison and abducted Th. Pluyter, using the mayor's car; arrested in a cave. Frames it as exposing a politi
'17 August, a day of mourning': bitter announcement of a formed committee
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1950-08-14, p. 1): SOBSI, Rukun Tani Indonesia, the Front Nasional Pemuda and the women's organisation Gerwis, among others, form their own committee to commemorate 17 August 1950 because the government excluded organisations. They call the day one of mourning for a 'unitary state à la RTC' an
'Peace' demonstration in Medan
De Locomotief, 14 Aug 1950 (Aneta): about 5,000 attend a Medan peace-committee rally, mainly plantation, peasant and pedicab unions, with anti-American banners. Speakers include Tuti Rukmi for 'Indonesian women'. The resolution urges Indonesia not to join the 'imperialist war' in Korea and calls for a ban on atomic wea
Day of mourning?
Short item, Java-Bode, 14 Aug 1950, p. 2: Sobsi, peasant and youth groups and the women's organisation Gerwis form a People's Committee for the Commemoration of the 1945 Proclamation, protest their exclusion from the official committee and call 17 Aug 1950 a day of mourning. Same text as the Indische Courant item.
'They were not allowed to take part': 17 August is a day of mourning
De Locomotief, 15 Aug 1950 (Aneta): SOBSI, Rukun Tani, a youth front, PRRI and the women's organisation GERWIS form a committee to commemorate the 'People's Proclamation of 17 August 1945', declaring 17 August 1950 a day of mourning because the RTC-style unitary state buries the 1945 republic. They protest the ban on b
SOBSI regards 17 August as a 'day of mourning': 'unitary state a la RTC'
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (15 Aug 1950, p.2): organisations including SOBSI, Rukun Tani Indonesia, Front Nasional Pemuda, PRRI and the women's organisation Gerwis formed a counter-committee, Panitya Peringatan Proklamasi Rakjat 17 Agustus 1945, after the government excluded parties from its commemoration committee. T
Draft constitution adopted by large majority
Java-Bode, 15 Aug 1950, p. 1: the RIS parliament adopts the unitary-state draft constitution 90 to 18, and Sukarno proclaims the unitary state. Those voting against included Mrs Mudigdo (Partai Sosialis), Miss Suwarti (Sobsi), PKI MPs, Sakirman, Siauw Giok Tjhan and Murba's Maruto Nitimihardjo.
People's Representation accepts draft constitution of unitary state
Nieuwe Courant, 15 August 1950: the RIS people's representation adopts the draft provisional constitution of the unitary state by 90 to 18. Opponents include PKI members and leftists, among them Mrs Mudigdo (Partai Sosialis) and Miss Suwarti (SOBSI). Ngadiman Hardjosubroto sets out the PKI's five-point rejection. No Ge
CIA-held copy of the joint SOBSI publication, 17 August 1950 (Bangun, Tenaga, Pekerja, Buruh)
CIA-held copy of a joint SOBSI publication of 17 August 1950 (Independence Day issue of the labour magazines Bangun, Tenaga, Pekerja and Buruh), in Indonesian, issued by the SOBSI Information Bureau. It contains union and anti-imperialist articles, an item on prostitution in Tanjung Priok, appeals for WFTU unity and re
Day of mourning?
Short item, Indische Courant voor Nederland, 19 Aug 1950: Sobsi, Rukun Tani Indonesia, youth bodies and the women's organisation Gerwis form a 'People's Committee for the Commemoration of the Proclamation 1945' protesting their exclusion from the official committee, and call 17 Aug 1950 a day of mourning for a unitary
'We do not pay the bill'
De Locomotief, 6 Oct 1950: Semarang forms an action committee against the Aniem electricity tariff rise, representing 38 organisations, chaired by Dr Rustamadji of the Partai Rakjat. Gerwis sits on the committee alongside Partai Rakjat and the youth front; it was decided to send two delegates to Jakarta and not to pay
Delegates to World Peace Congress
Nieuwe Courant, 3 November 1950: conference of the Committee for World Peace in Yogyakarta, attended by branches and representatives of Kowani, Gerwis, Front Pemuda Indonesia, BTI, Sobsi, Pesindo and others. It endorsed the Prague appeal, proposals for the London congress (five-power peace, Dutch army withdrawal, no fo
'World Peace' (peace conference in Yogyakarta)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (4 Nov 1950, p.2): a World Peace Committee conference in Yogyakarta approved the Prague appeal, proposed demands for the Nederlandse army's withdrawal from Indonesia and an end to foreign interference (Irian, Moluccas) for a London congress, and reported 180,000 signatures. Delegates include
CIA report, 26 February 1951: Estimate of the current economic situation in Indonesia
CIA report, 26 February 1951, on alleged communist-directed strike sabotage in Indonesia via SOBSI and WFTU. Gerwani-relevant only for naming a batik workers' union organised by Mrs Trimurti.
FBIS, 25 January 1951: Indonesia backs Peace Congress ideals (Warsaw)
FBIS-monitored Moscow Radio text (25 Jan 1951) of a speech by an Indonesian member of the World Peace Council (name garbled), chairing the Indonesian delegation to the Warsaw Peace Congress. Describes the Indonesian Peace Committee (Yogyakarta, June 1950), the Stockholm Appeal signatures, and urges non-democratic Indon
Merdeka, 6 April 1951: Batik Workers' Union conference
Merdeka, 6 Apr 1951, p. 2: Serikat Buruh Batik conference on fusion with the textile union; Gerwis listed among the guests and those who gave greetings, with SOBSI and MPs Werdojo and Pardede.
Merdeka, 25 April 1951: May Day 1951 preparations
Merdeka, 25 April 1951 (hlm. 2): plans for May Day 1951 by a central committee (SOBSI, KABM) assisted by the Peace Defence Committee, Lekra, Pemuda Rakyat, Sakti and Gerwis, framed as defence of world peace.
Commemoration of 1 May 1951 in Surakarta (Bentara)
Full-page notice in the Surakarta magazine Bentara listing the organising committee of the 1 May 1951 Labour Day commemoration, a left united front dominated by SOBSI unions and including Gerwis.
Abadi, 16 May 1951, p. 2: First International Children's Day
Abadi, 16 May 1951, p. 2: Antara report that International Children's Day (1 June), proposed by WIDF, would be celebrated in Indonesia for the first time by a Jakarta committee with Gerwis and SOBSI as secretariat.
Second group of Indonesians left for Berlin World Youth Festival
De Waarheid, 7 Jul 1951, p. 3: short report that a second group of Indonesian participants left Jakarta on 2 July for the Third World Youth Festival in Berlin, 38 in all. Among them is Darmini, representing the women's movement, with painter Sudjojono and union and youth delegates. Farewell speeches came from PKI, SOBS
Indonesia celebrates International Children's Day: 25,000 came instead of 4,000
De Waarheid, 19 Jul 1951, p. 5: correspondent's report on Indonesia's first International Children's Day, held in Jakarta on 1 June 1951 with some 25,000 children instead of the expected 4,000. Initiated by the young women's organisation Gerwis, supported by Chinese groups, Pemuda Rakjat, SOBSI and the Peasants' Union
Wanita Sedar No. 14, 25 July 1951
Issue 14 of Wanita Sedar, fortnightly organ of Gerwis (25 July 1951). Covers preparation for the first Gerwis congress (57 branches, WIDF links), the Indonesian delegation to the Berlin youth festival including three Gerwis delegates, women in Czechoslovakia, and organisational news.
Abadi, 31 July 1951, p. 1: Two 17 August Committees in Yogya
Abadi, 31 July 1951, p. 1: Aneta report that SOBSI and left groups including Gerwis formed a separate 17 August committee in Yogyakarta, denouncing the municipal committee as undemocratic.
In Yogyakarta two committees for 17 August
De Nieuwsgier, 31 July 1951: in Yogyakarta SOBSI initiates a rival '17 August' committee including trade unions, the youth front, PKI, PSII, Murba, BTI and Gerwis, claiming the city's official committee only wants to 'celebrate' without expressing the people's struggle. It will explore a merger. Another item (Pakistan-
Two committees in Yogyakarta for 17 August
Aneta item in De Vrije Pers (31 Jul 1951): on SOBSI's initiative a "17 August" committee was formed in Yogyakarta with trade unions, Front Pemuda, PKI, PSII, Murba, BTI and Gerwis, as an alternative to the city administration's committee, which SOBSI said would only "celebrate a feast".
Abadi, 8 August 1951, p. 2: The Left's 17 August Committee
Abadi, 8 Aug 1951, p. 2: separate left-wing 17 August committees under a 'peace programme' in Jakarta and Bandung, with Gerwis, SOBSI, Lekra and others in charge of the programme.
Merdeka, 8 August 1951: Peace Committee organisations form 17 August committee
Merdeka, 8 Agustus 1951 (hlm. 2): mass organisations under the Peace Committee form their own 17 August committee with a 'peace programme', Gerwis and Lekra running the programme section.
26 persons arrested in East Java
Dutch newspaper report ('t Nieuws voor Kampen, 20 Aug 1951, p. 6) on the mass arrests of 26 people in East Java, including journalists, PKI and SOBSI officials in Surabaya, and the chairwoman of Gerwis, Mrs. Parjani Ilham. Officials said the arrests targeted no particular group.
Three editors-in-chief
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1951-08-20, p. 2, beginning missing) lists those arrested in the Surabaya raids: Chinese-Indonesian editors, SOBSI and SBKA chairman Surono, PKI chairman Hutapa and board members, kampung officials, and Gerwis chairwoman Mrs. Parjani Ilham, plus a Chinese school pupil. Police seized portraits
Arrests in East Java: seven journalists detained in Surabaya
De Nieuwsgier, 20 Aug 1951: report on the August 1951 Sukiman government sweep in East Java: 26 detained in Surabaya, including editors, SOBSI and PKI leaders, and Mrs Parjani Ilham, chairwoman of Gerwis. Police seized Mao, Lenin and Stalin pictures. Officials say the arrests do not target a particular ideology. Early
Now also arrests in East Java: Gerwis chairwoman Parjani Ilham detained
De Tijd report (20 Aug 1951) on the mass arrests in East Java (August 1951 raids): 26 detained, including journalists, PKI Surabaya chairman Hutapea, SOBSI/SBKA officials and "the chairwoman of the women's organisation Gerwis, Mrs. Parjani Ilham". Authorities denied targeting any ideology.
Also arrests in East Java
Eindhovensch Dagblad front-page report (20 Aug 1951) on the East Java arrests of 26 people, including journalists, the local PKI chair, SOBSI union leaders, and the chair of the women's organisation Gerwis, 'mevrouw Parjani Ilham' (as printed). Part of the August 1951 round-up; the paper links journalist Go Tjing Hok's
Documents seized (arrests in Surabaya, August 1951)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (20 Aug 1951, p.1) on the Surabaya arrests of 26 people during the August 1951 round-up: journalists (Go Tjing Hok etc.), SOBSI chair Surono and Sutomo, PKI chair Hutapea, and Mrs Parjani Ilham, chair of the women's organisation Gerwis. Police seized documents and portraits of Mao, Lenin and
Again numerous arrests in Indonesia
Het Vaderland front-page report (20 Aug 1951) on the escalating arrests of communists across Indonesia: 26 in East Java including Java Post editor Go Tjing Hok, the local PKI chair and SOBSI leaders, and Mrs Parjani Ilham, chair of the women's organisation 'Gerwis'; 50 in Bandung with SOBSI offices sealed; 175 in East
Arrests in East Java: strict control of the press
Nieuwe Haarlemsche Courant, 20 August 1951: reports the August 1951 mass arrests in East Java (the 'Razzia Agustus') of 26 people in Surabaya including journalists, PKI local chair Hutapea, Sobsi's Surono and Sutomo, and the Gerwis chairwoman Mrs Parjani Ilham; 175 more arrested in Malang, Bojonegoro, Madiun and Kediri
Various arrests also made in East Java
Nijmeegsch Dagblad (20 Aug 1951) on the August 1951 arrests in East Java: 26 detained including journalists, the local PKI chairman and SOBSI unionists. Among them is Gerwis chairwoman Mrs Parjani Ilham of Surabaya. Officials deny a group is targeted; press control is to be tightened.
26 persons arrested in East Java
Provinciale Overijsselsche en Zwolsche Courant (20 Aug 1951): 26 arrests in East Java including Javapost editor Go Tjing Hok, journalists, the Surabaya PKI chairman, SOBSI unionists and Gerwis chairwoman Mrs Parjani Ilham. Authorities say the arrests target no particular group or ideology. Part of the August 1951 raids
Dozens more arrests in East and West Java: Sobsi offices occupied in Bandung
Trouw (20 Aug 1951) on the August 1951 arrests: 26 detained in East Java including journalists, the PKI branch chairman, SOBSI unionists and Gerwis chairwoman Mrs Parjani Ilham; 50 communists arrested in Bandung and SOBSI offices sealed. Attorney General warns of tighter press control; 17 August passed quietly.
Arrests in East Java
Winschoter Courant (20 Aug 1951): 26 arrested in East Java, among them Javapost editor Go Tjing Hok, other editors, the Surabaya PKI chairman, SOBSI unionists and Gerwis chairwoman Mrs Parjani Ilham. Officials say no group or ideology is targeted. Part of the August 1951 raids.
Journalists also among those arrested in East Java
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 25 Aug 1951, p. 1: the August 1951 raids in East Java. About 26 arrested in Surabaya, including Mrs Parjani Ilham, chairwoman of Gerwis there, journalists, Sobsi and PKI local leaders; about 175 arrested across East Java. Police seized pictures of Mao, Lenin and Stalin.
The arrests in Indonesia: PKI calls for struggle against fascism
De Waarheid, 31 Aug 1951, p. 3: near-verbatim PKI Central Committee statement on the Sukiman government's August 1951 mass arrests, calling them a drift to fascism and a staged 'coup' pretext. It lists Gerwis among organisations whose members were arrested or searched, demands release of all detainees and urges an anti
Another Irian committee: West Irian liberation committee with Gerwis
De Vrije Pers item (14 Jan 1952) on a new West Irian liberation committee in (apparently) Surabaya/East Java, with posts split among Badan Perjuangan Irian, SOBSI, PKI, PNI, Indo-National Party and Murba; its organisation section includes Front Pemuda, Pemuda Kesatuan Indonesia and Gerwis. It also demands ending the Ro
Indonesian workers defend their unity; Gerwis congress resolution on Round Table agreement
De Waarheid, 16 Jan 1952, p. 4: report on workers' protests against Sjahrir's PSI splitting unions (the Perbupri breakaway from SOBSI's plantation union Sarbupri in Jember). A closing section says the Gerwis annual congress in Surabaya unanimously demanded abolition of the Round Table Agreement and return of New Guinea
Irian Committee Surabaya
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1952-01-18, p. 3): in Surabaya a Panitya Pembebasan Irian Barat is formed at the initiative of the Badan Perdjoangan Irian Timur Jawa with SOBSI, PKI, PNI, Murba and others; Gerwis sits in the organisation section with youth fronts. It seeks to end the RTC agreement and abolish the Union.
Reform of Gerwis Jakarta branch board and 8 March committee (Harian Rakjat, 29 February 1952)
Harian Rakjat, 29 Feb 1952, p.2 (Warta Daerah/news roundup): reports the reformed board of Gerwis Jakarta branch (chair S. Mardiman; secretary Tuty; finance A. Sunadi; labour Tuty Darta; peasants Kartinah, provisional; Gang Tengah 29). Also a Tegal committee of four women for 8 March International Women's Day chaired b
Indonesian cabinet crisis continues; Gerwis appeals after Sukiman's fall
De Waarheid, 18 Mar 1952, p. 2: news item on the Indonesian cabinet crisis after the fall of the Sukiman government over the US Mutual Security agreement signed by Subardjo. Notes that calls for an anti-fascist, anti-imperialist government reached Jakarta from the Gerwis national board, SOBSI and the peasants' union RT
Delegation to Moscow International Economic Conference includes Kartinah (Gerwis) (Harian Rakjat, 2 April 1952)
Harian Rakjat, 2 Apr 1952, p.1: front page covers the new Wilopo cabinet and the Indonesian delegation to the international economic conference in Moscow, which lists Kartinah as Gerwis representative alongside delegates from Pemuda Rakyat, the peasant front and trade unions. The headline about 'equal spirit of women a
Gerwis sends Suwarti and Darmini to child-defence conference in Vienna (Harian Rakjat, 8 April 1952)
Harian Rakjat, 8 Apr 1952, p.3-4: Gerwis, led by Umi Sardjono (PB Gerwis), hosts a reception in Jakarta for organisations and officials, including Health Ministry's Dr Syulianti, to prepare a national committee for child defence; Trimurti speaks on child labour and schooling. Gerwis delegates Suwarti and Darmini (alrea
Mrs Salawati Daud reports on meeting with Kahar Muzakar (Harian Rakjat, 10 April 1952)
Harian Rakjat, 10 Apr 1952, p.4 (Antara, Makassar 9 April): Nyonya Salawati Daud's report after meeting rebel leader Kahar Muzakar in the mountains is receiving government attention; Kahar's demands are said to disappoint the governor and cannot be met. The issue also reports a Gerwis role in the national child-defence
Harian Rakjat, 23 April 1952: Kartini Day commemorations, Mrs Sri Kusnapsiah speaks
Page of the Jakarta daily Harian Rakjat, 23 April 1952 (Kartini Day issue; OCR very noisy). It reports Hari Kartini commemorations in Jakarta (about 650 women at Garden Hall), in The Hague, where Ny. S. Sri Kusnapsiah spoke on Kartini's aims and thought, and in Semarang, Bogor and elsewhere, alongside Wilopo-cabinet an
Impressive demonstrations throughout Indonesia (May Day 1952)
De Waarheid, 2 May 1952, p. 3: dispatch on May Day demonstrations across Indonesian cities by committees including SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat and the women's organisation Gerwis; Jakarta rally at Merdeka Square. Reports government attempts to prevent them, including bans in Surabaya on discussing germ warfare and carrying po
Suwarti, MP and chair of Gerwis, on the peace committee (Harian Rakjat, 3 May 1952)
Harian Rakjat, 3 May 1952. On p. 3 Suwarti, MP and general chair (ketua umum) of Gerwis, is listed among the Indonesians invited to join the preparatory committee for the Asia-Pacific Peace Conference, alongside Siauw Giok Chan, Ir. Setiadi and others. Pp. 2-3 also report May Day 1952 rallies where Gerwis marched with
Asia-Pacific peace conference preparations; Indonesian sponsors include Gerwis chair (Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952)
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952 (p. 1), on responses from twenty countries to Soong Ching-ling and Guo Moruo's call for an Asian and Pacific Regional Peace Conference in Beijing. For Indonesia it lists eleven sponsors named in April, including Suwati (Suwarti), MP and chairman of Gerwis, plus Setiadi, Siauw
Asia-Pacific peace conference preparations; Indonesian sponsors include Gerwis chair (Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952)
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952 (p. 1), on responses from twenty countries to Soong Ching-ling and Guo Moruo's call for an Asian and Pacific Regional Peace Conference in Beijing. For Indonesia it lists eleven sponsors named in April, including Suwati (Suwarti), MP and chairman of Gerwis, plus Setiadi, Siauw
FBIS, 17 May 1952: Conference appeal receives responses (Asia-Pacific Peace Conference)
FBIS-monitored Xinhua report (17 May 1952) on responses from 20 countries to the call for an Asia-Pacific Peace Conference in Peking. The Indonesian section lists 11 sponsors chosen in April, including Suwarti, member of Parliament and president of Gerwis, plus Setiadi, Tjoa Sik Ien, Dharta (Lekra), Djawoto (Antara), S
Reception for PKI's 32nd anniversary led by Mrs Mudigdio (Harian Rakjat, 27 May 1952)
Harian Rakjat, 27 May 1952. Front-page report on the PKI's 32nd anniversary reception, whose opening session was led by Nyonya Mudigdio (photo caption: she chairs the meeting); speakers included Alimin, attacking the MSA aid pact, with greetings from foreign communist parties. Other pages cover the Surabaya PKI recepti
Daily Worker, 27 May 1952: 20 nations pick delegates for Asia peace parley
Page 4 of the Daily Worker (New York, 27 May 1952) with a roundup of 20 countries naming delegates for the Asian Peace Conference preparatory meeting in Peking. The Indonesian list includes a member of Parliament named as president of the Indonesian Women's Movement ('Olpuwarti' in garbled OCR), alongside SOBSI, Lekra-
Analysis of Communist Propaganda in Indonesia (OIR 5714.7, 1952)
OSS/State Department report OIR 5714.7 (30 May 1952) analysing PKI propaganda: party structure, front organisations, relations with international communism and themes. Names Gerwis under Mrs Mudigdo as the communist vehicle competing with Kowani for women, and BTI under S. Sardjono; appendices cover publishing, films,
Children's Day in Jakarta
Java-Bode, 31 May 1952, p. 2: at Gerwis's initiative a 1 June Committee with Gerwis, Sobsi, Pemuda Rakjat and IPPI representatives organises Children's Day contests on Merdeka Square for about 4,000 registered children and will distribute over 6,000 old garments to poor children of Tanah Abang and Senen.
Harian Rakjat, 16 June 1952: Gerwis Jakarta adds Kemayoran branch; Salawati Daud
Harian Rakjat, Jakarta, 16 June 1952 (full issue; p. 2 relevant). Reports the founding meeting of a Gerwis branch (ranting) at Kemayoran, with a committee chaired by Kardini; Ny. Bandiyah of the Jakarta branch explains the statutes, and women's and youth wings of PKI organisations pledge cooperation. Also: Salawati Dau
Delegation to US embassy protests bacteriological war in Korea
De Nieuwsgier, 27 June 1952 (Sin Po): on the Korean War anniversary, a nine-organisation delegation including Gerwis, SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, Lekra and the peace committee protests at the US embassy against alleged bacteriological warfare, but is turned away. They write to the foreign minister asking Indonesia to press f
Freedom Day celebration committee formed on basis of National Reveil declaration
De Nieuwsgier, 15 July 1952 (Sin Po): a Jakarta meeting of 34 parties and organisations forms a Freedom Day (17 August) committee led by the PKI's Greater Jakarta section by 26 votes; PNI, Parkindo, SOBSI and Gerwis sit on it, Masjumi and PSI abstain. It adopts the National Reveil joint declaration signed by 60 groups.
Harian Rakjat, 16 July 1952: Kartinah (Gerwis West Java) welcomes PKI committee at Labuan
Harian Rakjat, Jakarta, 16 July 1952 (full issue; p. 3 relevant). Kartinah of the Gerwis West Java regional board (KDB) is among those who welcome the founding of a PKI committee at Labuan, Banten. Elsewhere the issue notes PKI, SOBSI and Gerwis statements rejecting the Pacific Pact, and a correction about a Gerwis Ran
Indonesian miscellany (with item on Mrs Salawati)
Het Vaderland miscellany column 'Indonesische tjampoeran' (4 Aug 1952, p.6) of short items on sugar workers' strike threats, Medan's mayor, harsh anti-Kahar Muzakar rules in Makassar and prison conditions of SOBSI detainees. One item says Mrs Salawati of Makassar received a moped from the provincial Keamanan staff as a
Mass demonstrations announced for the August arrestees
De Vrije Pers report (26 Aug 1952) on a press conference by the East Java committee for victims of the August raids announcing mass demonstrations on 7 Sept. Miss Sulami, committee secretary, reported Prime Minister Wilopo gave no release date, blamed the RTC-linked Sukiman policy and called the raids an attack on the
August detainees: SOBSI wants mass demonstration in Surabaya
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1952-08-28, p. 2): at a Surabaya press conference the committee for victims of the August 1951 raids, with SOBSI, plans a 7 September mass demonstration outside the governor's and Brawijaya commander's residences demanding release of all arrestees. Committee secretary Miss Sulami blames the RT
Mass demonstrations in Surabaya on 7 September
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 1 Sep 1952, p. 1: the Surabaya Committee for Victims of the August Raids plans a mass demonstration on 7 Sept. Committee secretary Miss Sulami reports on meetings with PM Wilopo and the defence minister, blames the Sukiman-Wibisono policy and RTC, and notes 62 SOB detainees remain in Ea
Demonstrations banned: Surabaya refuses permission for 7 September rally
De Vrije Pers item (4 Sep 1952): Surabaya authorities refused permission for the 7 September demonstration for August-raid detainees; a delegation of Mrs. Tam, Mrs. Talia and Miss Sulami left for Jakarta to seek a presidential audience, and Tam and Sulami with Miss Warmi and Mr Fatkali were to go on to the "communist p
Indonesian peace delegation visits Netherlands en route to Asia-Pacific Peace Conference
De Waarheid, 13 Sep 1952, p. 1: report from Amsterdam on a 20-member Indonesian delegation en route via Prague and Moscow to the Asia-Pacific Peace Conference in Beijing, led by Antara editor Soeroto, who opposes Japanese rearmament and says the war danger comes from America. Members include Moh. Tam and Umi Sardjono o
Action against widows' pensions continues
De Locomotief, 14 Oct 1952, city news: a Semarang meeting of the committee rejecting Government Regulation 19/52 on widows' pensions for civil servants with multiple wives draws great interest from women's organisations. Twelve bodies including SOBSI, Lekra, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwis reject the law and decide to continu
Request for clarification on the 17 October 1952 affair
De Nieuwsgier, 6 Dec 1952: representatives of 18 parties and organisations in Surabaya, under the PNI, urge the government to clarify whether the 17 October 1952 affair was a coup, to act against all involved and to implement the Sophiaan motion. Gerwis is among the listed attendees (with PKI, PNI, SOBSI, Murba, Wanita
April (year-in-review chronology, April-July 1952)
Java-Bode, 31 Dec 1952, p. 3: year-in-review chronology April-July 1952 (Wilopo cabinet, Sobsi strike, Westerling, SOB lifting, NU leaving Masjumi). Only Gerwani-adjacent entry: on 8 April the goodwill mission to Kahar Muzakkar under Mrs Salawati returned to Makassar without result.
Parliamentary Proceedings 1953, Vol. II (Sittings 12-25)
Official record (Risalah Perundingan) of the Indonesian parliament (DPR RI), 1953, vol. II, sittings 12-25 (from 30 January 1953). It covers the debate on the election bill for the Konstituante and DPR, army and defence bills, emergency laws and private-land restitution. Gerwani is not discussed. The only direct trace
US State Dept. report IR-6165, January 1953: Communism in the Free World - Indonesia section on Gerwis
US State Department Office of Intelligence Research report IR-6165, 'Communism in the Free World' (January 1953), a compilation of about 30 country studies of communist capabilities, held in the CIA reading room. The Indonesia study (IR-6165.3) covers PKI aims and tactics, labour, and front organisations. Section VI.A
Joys and sorrows of Indonesia in the past year
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 7 Jan 1953, p. 3: year-in-review chronology for 1952 (selected entries translated). Mentions the August 1951 raids, the 17 October 1952 affair, release of East Java arrestees on 30 Oct, a goodwill mission to Kahar Muzakkar under Mrs Salawati (8 Apr), and Aidit and Njoto refused entry to
Latest news from Indonesia (April 1953)
News roundup of Antara dispatches, Indische Courant voor Nederland, 18 Apr 1953, p. 4. Relevant: Maasje Siwi of Gerwis left Surabaya for Copenhagen for the WIDF conference; SOBSI and union leaders left for Peking; also 17 October affair follow-up and Chairul Saleh's expulsion from the Netherlands.
FBIS, 20 April 1953: Delegates to Peking (SOBSI delegation, S.K. Trimurti)
FBIS item (20 Apr 1953): MP Tjugito (OCR) and Suharjo, secretary-general of SABDA, left Jakarta as SOBSI delegates to May Day in Peking. S.K. Trimurti left with the SOBSI delegation and would attend the women's congress in Copenhagen (World Congress of Women). Shows Trimurti's travel in the WIDF circuit.
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, p. 1 (May Day edition)
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, hlm. 1 (edisi Hari Buruh). Front page of the May Day special: CC PKI's May Day message, statements recalling 1952 demonstrations, the Tandjung Morawa 'death tractor' and a united May Day committee of seven federations; women appear only as supporting 'wanita' organisations.
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, p. 8
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, hlm. 8. Last page of the May Day issue: protest at bans on parts of the May Day programme, army budget, and reports of violence against women framed as moral decay and polygamy.
Campaign to save the Rosenbergs, including Gerwis protest (Renmin Ribao, 14 June 1953)
Xinhua roundup in Renmin Ribao, 14 June 1953 (p. 4), on the worldwide campaign to save Julius and Ethel Rosenberg from execution: US court rejections, New York rallies, and protests in Canada and Europe, including a resolution by the World Congress of Women in Copenhagen. The only Indonesian reference: SOBSI, the Gerwi
Campaign to save the Rosenbergs, including Gerwis protest (Renmin Ribao, 14 June 1953)
Xinhua roundup in Renmin Ribao, 14 June 1953 (p. 4), on the worldwide campaign to save Julius and Ethel Rosenberg from execution: US court rejections, New York rallies, and protests in Canada and Europe, including a resolution by the World Congress of Women in Copenhagen. The only Indonesian reference: SOBSI, the Gerwi
Resolution to parliament
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1953-07-24, p. 2): delegation of SOBSI, Perbepsi, Komite Rakjat, IPPI and Gerwis hands parliament speaker Sartono a resolution demanding that the new cabinet be anti-Darul Islam and that the government declare DI an enemy of the state. Text ends abruptly.
SOBSI urges an 'anti-DI cabinet'
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (25 Jul 1953, p.2): a delegation of SOBSI, Pwbebsi, Komité Rakjat, LPPI and Gerwis, led by Munir of SOBSI, handed Parliament's speaker a resolution from a Jakarta mass meeting demanding an 'anti-DI cabinet' and a decree declaring Darul Islam an enemy of the state. The delegation was received
Sumatran groups up in arms against Masjumi
De Locomotief, 27 July 1953: a Palembang delegation (PIR, PNI, PKI) flies to Jakarta with a statement signed by six parties and 22 organisations including SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwis. It demands early elections, anti-corruption action, settlement of the Tanjung Morawa affair and a democratic cabinet without Ma
Statement of groupings in South Sumatra
De Nieuwsgier, 27 July 1953: Palembang delegation (PIR, PNI, PKI) flies to Jakarta with a joint statement by six parties and 22 organisations including SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwis. It says a PNI-Masjumi cabinet is no longer possible, urges a democratic parliamentary cabinet under Wongsonegoro, action against D
Salatiga: national action committee formed
De Locomotief, 29 July 1953: Salatiga branches of SOBSI, BTI, PPDI, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwis jointly convene a meeting of 35 organisations and parties, which forms a national action committee and decides to send an open letter to Sukarno urging implementation of parliament's decisions and action against Darul Islam and
Delegation of parties in South Sumatra to Jakarta
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (29 Jul 1953, p.2): a delegation of parties and organisations in Palembang flew to Jakarta with a joint declaration signed by six parties (PIR, PNI, PKI, Partai Buruh, Permai, Murba) and 22 organisations including SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwis. It rejects a cabinet built on PNI and Ma
Committee formed to help victims of terror: Gerwis initiative
De Waarheid, 31 Jul 1953, p. 5: short Jakarta dispatch (20 July) that on Gerwis's initiative a committee was formed to assist victims of terrorist bands such as Darul Islam, joined by SOBSI, the veterans' league Perbepsi, student organisation IPPI and the peasants' union RTI. Shows Gerwis leading a relief and anti-Daru
The Free Press: demonstration against criminal trial
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1953-08-25, p. 2): in Surabaya the trial of 42 students for wrecking the Vrije Pers offices opened; thousands of students and pupils demonstrated against the prosecution, joined, per Harian Umum, by Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI. Banners demanded a press law, abolition of Dutch-language use
Surabaya demonstration over the De Vrije Pers wrecking trial
De Nieuwsgier, 25 Aug 1953: in Surabaya the trial opens of 42 students over the April wrecking of De Vrije Pers; thousands of students and pupils demonstrated, with Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI also taking part, demanding dropped charges, a press law, abolition of Dutch-language use and limits on Dutch dailies. A US
Destruction at Vrije Pers: demonstration in Surabaya against prosecution
Java-Bode, 25 August 1953, p. 2: report on the Surabaya trial of 42 students over the 16 April destruction of the Dutch paper Vrije Pers, and a mass demonstration against the prosecution. Per Harian Umum, Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI joined the demonstration, whose banners demanded a press law and curbs on Dutch-lan
The destruction of 'De Vrije Pers'
Arnhemsche Courant, 26 Aug 1953: a small item says thousands of students and pupils, backed by the left-wing union SOBSI and Gerwis, demonstrated in Surabaya during the trial of 42 students over the wrecking of the Dutch-language daily De Vrije Pers, demanding dismissal of the case and curbs on the Dutch press. Rest of
Demonstration against prosecution over attack on 'Vrije Pers' (Surabaya, 1953)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (26 Aug 1953, p.2): in Surabaya the trial began of 42 students accused of wrecking the Vrije Pers offices on 16 April; a demonstration by thousands of students and pupils against prosecution, reportedly also joined by Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI, demanded a press law and curbs on Dutch-l
Demonstration against the Dutch press in Surabaya
Short Het Rotterdamsch Parool item (26 Aug 1953, p.5): in Surabaya the trial of 42 students over the wrecking of the 'De Vrije Pers' offices; thousands of students and pupils demonstrated beforehand, supported by the leftist union SOBSI and Gerwis, 'a leftist women's organisation', demanding dismissal of charges and cu
The destruction of De Vrije Pers
Brief Nijmeegsch Dagblad note (26 Aug 1953) on the Surabaya trial of 42 students who wrecked the offices of the daily De Vrije Pers. Thousands of students and pupils demonstrated, supported by SOBSI and Gerwis, demanding dismissal of the case and restrictions on the Dutch press.
Again demonstrations for De Vrije Pers
Provinciale Drentsche en Asser Courant (26 Aug 1953): Short item on the Surabaya trial of 42 students who wrecked the daily De Vrije Pers. Thousands demonstrated beforehand, backed by SOBSI and the women's organisation Gerwis, demanding dismissal of the case and curbs on the Dutch press.; thousands demonstrated beforeh
The destruction of De Vrije Pers: trial in Surabaya of 42 students
Provinciale Overijsselsche en Zwolsche Courant, 26 Aug 1953. Brief wire item (26 Aug 1953) on the Surabaya trial of 42 students who wrecked the daily De Vrije Pers. Thousands demonstrated beforehand, backed by SOBSI and the women's organisation Gerwis, demanding dismissal of the case and curbs on the Dutch press.
Other trade unions: Sarbupri strike and BTI congress solidarity
De Vrije Pers fragment (17 Sep 1953) on trade-union reactions to the Sarbupri plantation workers' strike. It notes that the BTI's second congress, attended by SOBSI, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwis representatives, declared solidarity with the strike and instructed its branches to support strikers.
CIA information report, 6 November 1953: Financial problems of communist front organizations
CIA information report, 6 Nov 1953: 'Financial Problems of Communist Front Organizations' (Indonesia). Reports that the World Peace Committee sought Rp 50,000 from a Chinese organisation and that GERWIS has not paid its monthly Rp 2,500 to SOBSI since January 1953 and has also asked for aid. One page; a single paragrap
Gerwis conference in Bandung: new marriage law necessary
De Waarheid, 18 Nov 1953, p. 5: short report that the West Java branches of Gerwis ended a two-day conference in Bandung, adopting a resolution demanding that the government draft a new marriage law quickly and set minimum labour conditions for women workers. Same item notes a SARBUPRI strike of about 200 workers at th
PSI objects to composition of Jakarta election committees
De Nieuwsgier, 18 Dec 1953: three Jakarta branches of the PSI protest to Mayor Sudiro that election committees for the Greater Jakarta regencies seat only certain parties and their 'side organisations', naming Gerwis, Wanita Demokrat, Petani, Sobri, Sobsi and PPR as associations with seats. Shows the political contest
PSI dissatisfied: election committee not representative
Java-Bode, 18 December 1953, p. 2: the PSI's Jakarta Raya branches complain to Mayor Sudiro that the election committees for the 1955 elections are unrepresentative. The PSI coordinator names Gerwis, Wanita Demokrat, Petani, Sobri, Sobsi and PPR among the associations holding seats, calling them auxiliaries of parties.
PSI dissatisfied: election committee not representative
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 23 Dec 1953, p. 2: PSI branches complain to Jakarta mayor Sudiro that election committees in Jakarta Raya are unrepresentative, dominated by party affiliates; the PSI coordinator names Gerwis, Wanita Demokrat, Sobsi, PPR and others among bodies holding seats.
Commemorative Volume of the Second Gerwis Congress, 25-31 March 1954
Commemorative volume of the second Gerwis congress (Jakarta, 25–31 March 1954): greetings, foreign women's federations' telegrams, general report, resolutions, and the unanimous 30 March 1954 decision to rename Gerwis as Gerwani. Includes new statutes and a WIDF memorandum to the UN.
Illustrations from Joop Wolff's book on Indonesia: review mentions Gerwis marriage-law struggle
De Waarheid, 23 Jan 1954, p. 6: Annie Averink's review of Joop Wolff's Pegasus book 'Uit het rijk der duizend eilanden', based on a trip to Indonesia after the SOBSI congress of late 1952, with colonial-contrast views of Jakarta and kampongs. It notes that Gerwis, which organises workers' and peasants' wives, leads wom
With the Gerwis congress in sight: Jakarta feature on preparations
De Waarheid, 27 Jan 1954, p. 5: correspondent's Jakarta feature ahead of Gerwis's second congress (opening 26 March 1954), describing its literacy courses, hygiene campaigns, defence of women under customary law, wage struggles (Sampurna cigarette factory Surabaya, Kaliklatak coffee estate) with SARBUPRI, and the mass
Dissolution of Jakarta city council requested by nine parties and ten organisations
Aneta item in De Vrije Pers (13 Feb 1954): nine parties and ten organisations, including PKI, PNI, NU, SOBSI, BTI, Wanita Demokrat, Perwari and Gerwis, met under PNI's R. Kartasasmita and urged the government to dissolve the Greater Jakarta municipal council and form a representative one.
Soviet Woman, Feb 1954: Rantijem, 'Our Unity Is Growing Stronger'
Soviet Woman, 28 Feb 1954, p. 30: article by Rantijem (SOBSI National Council member), written after her Nov 1953 USSR tour with a trade union delegation, on Indonesian women's conditions. Describes legal bars to women's state and foreign-firm work, unequal pay (4.30 rupees/day vs 155.49 subsistence minimum), no matern
Two committees in Binjai (May Day celebration)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (10 Mar 1954, p.2): in Binjai two committees were formed to organise May Day. The first unites SOBSI, Sarbupri, Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and similar groups under a SOBSI chair; the second comprises non-SOBSI organisations such as PGRI and Perbupri and regards itself a branch of the Medan commit
Action against the Swapradja: self-government in Solo does not fit present system
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1954-03-12, p. 2): the anti-Swapradja Surakarta committee, whose conference included Gerwis among PNI, PKI, Partai Buruh, SOBSI and youth groups, resolves to reject any return of self-government and to hold regency rallies by 15 April. The government says swapradja must be gradually adapted an
The anti-self-government action in Solo
De Nieuwsgier, 12 Mar 1954: a Solo conference against 'self-government' (the autonomy plan for Surakarta) adopts a campaign of regency mass meetings by 15 April, a central action and a delegation to national leaders. Attendees include the PNI, PKI, Pemuda Rakjat, Pemuda Puteri Indonesia, Gerwis and SOBSI.
Actions against the Swapradja: Solo conference rejects return of self-rule
Aneta item in De Vrije Pers (12 Mar 1954): an anti-Swapradja committee conference in Solo rejected any return of self-rule (Swapradja) and planned waves of mass meetings before 15 April. Participants included PNI, PKI, Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwis and SOBSI; also notes the Sunan of Solo's planned studies in Jakarta.
Action in Solo
Java-Bode, 12 March 1954, p. 1: badly damaged OCR report of an anti-[...] committee meeting in Solo planning waves of mass demonstrations and a central action on 15 April with a delegation to the Prime Minister. Attendees included PKI, Partai Buruh, youth groups, Gerwis and Sobsi. The campaign's target is unreadable.
Self-governments cannot simply be abolished
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 17 Mar 1954, p. 1: government says Swapradja (self-governing areas) cannot be abolished at once; Surakarta anti-Swapradja committee, which includes Gerwis, PKI, Pemuda Rakjat and Sobsi, plans mass demonstrations by 15 April. Also notes the Susuhunan's studies.
Two committees for Labour Day
Java-Bode, 18 March 1954, p. 2: short item on two rival committees for 1 May Labour Day in Binjai, East Sumatra: one uniting Sobsi, Sarbupri, Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and similar bodies, chaired by Sobsi, and a non-Sobsi committee of PPPRI, OBPI, Perbupri and PGRI.
Public Masyumi meeting: 'Quran doctrines must be basis of our state'
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1954-03-29, p. 2): report of a public Masyumi meeting in Bandung. Mrs. Ijom Suleiman argues Islam gives women equal rights and duties; Masyumi West Java secretary Rusjad Nurdin rejects PKI claims that Masyumi are American compradors and urges Muslims never to join the PKI or organisations it i
Masjumi public meeting in Bandung
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (31 Mar 1954, p.2): report of a Masjumi open-air meeting in Bandung where West Java secretary-general M. Rusjad Nurdin rebuts PKI claims that Masjumi members are American 'compradors' and calls on Muslims never to join the PKI 'or organisations influenced by the PKI, such as SOBSI, Gerwis et
Rie Lips in Indonesia: arrival for the second Gerwis congress
De Waarheid, 14 Apr 1954, p. 5: report on NVB chair Rie Lips and British writer Monica Felton arriving in Jakarta for the second Gerwis congress, warmly welcomed. Lips described Dutch women's protests against the colonial wars and support for conscientious objectors. The opening reception was attended by Jakarta mayor
Neues Deutschland, 15 Apr 1954, p. 5: Radioactive clouds over Mexico (Djakarta report on the national conference of the
Neues Deutschland, 15 April 1954, p. 5: under the headline "Radioaktive Wolken über Mexiko", a roundup of ADN items on US hydrogen-bomb tests includes a Djakarta item: the national conference of the Indonesian women's movement appealed to the world's peoples to avert the H-bomb threat and secure lasting peace, alongsid
But what is the reality? Travel report on workers in Indonesia
De Waarheid, 1 May 1954, p. 4: travel report by Mak Meyer, a Dutch union delegate to the SOBSI conference, on Indonesian workers' misery: poverty, homelessness, factory conditions and wages, child labour, becak drivers, and figures such as 35,000 women dying in childbirth yearly. Portrays SOBSI and PKI as leaders and u
Harian Rakjat, 3 May 1954, p. 1 (May Day)
Harian Rakjat, 3 Mei 1954, hlm. 1 (Hari Buruh). May Day 1954 front page: 500,000 people at Lapangan Merdeka; guests include Rie Lips-Odinot, Dutch MP and women's movement leader; attacks on a PSI MP.
Mistakes of the past (on SOBSI and Gerwis)
Het Vrije Volk opinion piece 'Fouten van vroeger' (14 May 1954, p.15) on Indonesian labour relations: SOBSI has profited from foreign employers' past neglect, the government chooses political over economic paths, and when strike leaders are prosecuted SOBSI and the communist women's association Gerwis appear in court w
Joint declaration of thirty parties (abolition of the Netherlands-Indonesian Union)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (24 Jun 1954, p.1): the Jakarta cooperation committee of about thirty parties and organisations, including PNI, PKI, Partai Buruh, Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, SOBSI, BTI and Wanita Rakjat, issued a joint declaration demanding immediate abolition of the Indonesian-Dutch Union, blaming Dutch imper
Unrest in Indonesia continues
Algemeen Handelsblad (1954-07-02): a Committee of Co-operating Parties of 31 parties and organisations, including PKI, PNI, NU, SOBSI and Gerwani, urges the Dutch government to declare High Commissioner Van Bylandt persona non grata, recall Indonesia's delegation, abolish the Netherlands-Indonesia Union unilaterally an
Cooperating parties want High Commissioner persona non grata
De Gooi- en Eemlander, 2 July 1954: a committee of 31 cooperating parties and organisations, including the PKI, PNI, SOBSI and Gerwani, demands that Dutch High Commissioner Count van Bylandt be declared persona non grata. It also asks for unilateral abolition of the Netherlands-Indonesia Union and a West Irian administ
Communique of cooperating Indonesian parties: expulsion of Dutch High Commissioner demanded
De Waarheid, 2 Jul 1954, p. 1: Jakarta dispatch that a committee of 31 cooperating Indonesian parties and organisations, including PNI, PKI, NU, SOBSI and Gerwani, asked the government to declare the Dutch High Commissioner Count van Bylandt persona non grata over his 25 June speech, recall the Hague negotiators if it
Indonesian parties: 'Declare Count Van Bylandt persona non grata'
Het Rotterdamsch Parool report (2 Jul 1954, p.3): the Jakarta committee of cooperating parties, 31 parties and organisations including PKI, PNI, Partai Buruh, NU, Perbepsi, Gerwani and SOBSI, urges the government to declare Dutch High Commissioner Count Van Bylandt persona non grata after his statement, and to recall t
Indonesian parties demand Van Bylandt be declared persona non grata
Nieuw Utrechtsch Dagblad, 2 July 1954, p. 3: a committee of 31 cooperating Indonesian parties and organisations, including PKI, PNI, Partai Buruh, NU, Sobsi and Gerwani, urges the government to declare Dutch High Commissioner Count Van Bylandt persona non grata over his statement, and to recall the Indonesian delegatio
Action against Netherlands High Commissioner
Twentsch Dagblad Tubantia (2 Jul 1954): a committee of cooperating parties and organisations, including Gerwani with PKI, PNI, NU and SOBSI, urges the government to declare Netherlands High Commissioner Count van Bylandt persona non grata, recall the delegation from The Hague, end the Union and form a West Irian admini
Indonesian parties act against High Commissioner: committee asks unilateral end of Union
Ons Noorden (3 Jul 1954): a committee of 31 cooperating parties and organisations, Gerwani among them with PKI, PNI, NU and SOBSI, urges the government to declare Netherlands High Commissioner Count van Bylandt persona non grata, recall the delegation from The Hague, end the Netherlands–Indonesia Union and form a West
Indonesian parties act against High Commissioner: committee asks unilateral end of Union
Overijsselsch Dagblad (3 Jul 1954), truncated version of the Reuter/ANP item: a committee of 31 cooperating parties including Gerwani, PKI, PNI and SOBSI asks that Netherlands High Commissioner van Bylandt be declared persona non grata and the delegation recalled from The Hague. Text breaks off.
17 August committee in Jakarta with Gerwani in secretariat
De Nieuwsgier, 8 July 1954: Jakarta forms a committee to celebrate 17 August for national unity, abolition of the Netherlands-Indonesia Union and the return of West Irian; its secretariat, at the Balai Kota, is run by Gerwani, SOBSI and FPI. No Soetanti Aidit; Gerwani appears only as a secretariat organiser.
Gerwani conference in Salatiga on implementing congress decisions
De Locomotief, 29 July 1954: the Salatiga branch of Gerwani, with Central Java provincial delegates and BTI, SOBSI and women's organisation representatives, discusses implementing the latest congress decisions. Sub-branches will be set up in every subdistrict capital. Gerwani fields no candidates in the elections but i
Indonesian workers greet Piet van Staveren: telegrams on his release
De Waarheid, 6 Aug 1954, p. 3: report of congratulatory telegrams from Indonesia on Piet van Staveren's release from Dutch prison, including from SOBSI, SBPP, Pemuda Rakjat (200,000 members), Sarbupri and the World Federation of Trade Unions. A telegram signed GERWANI, from 'Indonesian women and mothers', thanks him fo
Peace: Soviet women visit Indonesia (account by Soviet delegates)
De Waarheid, 29 Sep 1954, p. 5: Dutch printing of an account from Soviet Woman by Soviet delegates Alexandra Cholopowa and Jekaterina Sjeweljowa on their three-week visit to Indonesia at Gerwani's invitation. They describe the word 'damai' (peace), women workers' and plantation conditions in East Java and Bandung, the
Surabaya branch of People's Security Congress founded to secure the elections
De Vrije Pers report (6 Oct 1954) on founding a Surabaya branch of the Congress Keamanan Rakjat to secure the coming elections, chaired by Pemuda Rakyat's Moh. Rasjad. Ansor objected; SOBSI, Lekra, Gerwani, IPPI and others agreed, and Gerwani Surabaya was elected second treasurer.
PKI central committee decides to seek a cabinet seat in the Ali cabinet
De Volkskrant report (18 Nov 1954) citing Pedoman that the PKI central committee decided to seek the agriculture portfolio in the Ali cabinet, delegating MPs Ir. Sakirman and Mrs. Moedigdo (Mudigdo) to talk with the prime minister. Notes PKI plus SOBSI hold 21 votes. Gerwani is not named.
Agrarian affairs again: PKI central committee plenum chaired by Aidit
De Vrije Pers report (19 Nov 1954), citing Pedoman, on the PKI central committee plenum (8-10 Nov) chaired by Aidit and attended by Pemuda Rakyat, SOBSI, Gerwani and Perbepsi representatives. It decided to seek a place in the Ali cabinet, delegating MPs Sakirman and Mrs. Mudigdo, and not to make the agrarian portfolio
Gerwani congress (newspaper page, early December 1954)
Whole newspaper page, Indische Courant voor Nederland, c. 1-4 Dec 1954 (columns interleaved). Gerwani-relevant item: Bandung branch congress backs Maisuri, opposes forced marriage and 'immoral' films, supports the Ali cabinet. Other articles: PRN women's congress, no-confidence motion, West Irian at the UN, Bogor confe
Non-party candidates on the PKI list for the 1955 elections
De Nieuwsgier item (15 Dec 1954, p. 1) listing new non-party candidates on the PKI list for the 1955 elections (Affandi, Basuki Resobowo, Witarsa and others). Earlier non-party names include Mrs. Salawati (Salawati Daud), Henk Ngantung and Mrs. S.D. Susanto.
Elections with symbols: preparations for Indonesia's first general election
De Waarheid, 22 Jan 1955, p. 5: feature on preparations for Indonesia's first general elections, with voter registration, party symbols for illiterate voters, the PKI-and-independents list and attacks on it from Masjumi and PSI. It names independent candidates, among them Salawati (Daud), described as a guerrilla leade
Enthusiastic welcome for Soviet trade union delegation in Semarang
De Locomotief, 2 Feb 1955: a Russian trade union delegation, a WFTU representative and SOBSI leaders are welcomed in Semarang by hundreds of SOBSI members, including Gerwani, forming guards of honour along the railway track. A lecture by the Russian guests is planned at the Gedung Kesenian.
PKI candidate list: Miss Maimunah, DPD Gerwani Central Sumatra (Harian Rakjat, 10 March 1955)
Harian Rakjat, 10 Mar 1955: PKI candidate list for the 1955 election with PKI and non-party candidates for Sumatra and elsewhere. No. 11 is Nn. Maimunah (PKI), state high-school teacher and member of DPD Gerwani Sumatera Tengah, Bukittinggi. Also lists trade-union, BTI and Perbum figures; the rest of the page is film a
CIA intelligence survey of the PKI's history, structure and front organisations, May 1955, before the September 1955 elections. Section III.E (report pp. 49-50) profiles Gerwani: founded 1950 as Gerwis, renamed Gerwani at the March 1954 congress, 25,000+ members, S.K. Trimurti general chairman and Umi Sardjono chairman
Harian Rakjat, 27 July 1955, p. 4
Harian Rakjat, 27 Juli 1955, hlm. 4. Page 4 of the paper before the 1955 election: SOBSI sugar workers' delegation, an Indian globe-trotter, news items; no Gerwani content.
Pravda, 5 Aug 1955: government crisis in Indonesia; telegrams from Gerwani
Pravda, 5 August 1955, No. 217, page 6, supplied as a Claude machine translation of the Indonesia item. A TASS dispatch from Jakarta on the cabinet crisis (Harahap of Masjumi asked to form a government) says Harian Rakjat printed dozens of telegrams from SOBSI, BTI, the women's organisation Gerwani and Pemuda Rakjat in
Pravda, 5 Aug 1955: Gerwani telegram in Indonesian cabinet crisis (excerpt)
Keyword-hit excerpt of Pravda, 5 Aug 1955 (TASS, Jakarta) on the cabinet crisis after Masjumi's Burhanuddin Harahap was asked to form a government. Harian Rakjat published telegrams from SOBSI, BTI, Gerwani, Pemuda Rakjat and others demanding a truly democratic government, opposing a Masjumi cabinet and 'a military dic
Against the composition of the new cabinet: Semarang meeting rejects Burhanuddin cabinet
De Locomotief, 12 Aug 1955: a Semarang provincial meeting of mass and women's organisations rejects the new Burhanuddin cabinet and demands an all-party cabinet and elections on schedule. A five-person delegation to Jakarta represents workers (SOBSI), youth, women (Gerwani), peasants and ex-fighters. Shows Gerwani as t
Solidarity with strikers at Public Works
Brief Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1955-08-13, p. 2): during the Public Works workers' strike, the women's organisation Gerwani declared solidarity with the strikers, as did the metalworkers' union SBIM and the SOBSI branch in Bandung.
Ten years of the Republic (Cor Geugjes)
De Waarheid, 17 Aug 1955, p. 3: Cor Geugjes's article for the Republic's tenth anniversary, covering Dutch colonial violence, the Bandung Conference, the Ali Sastroamidjojo government's fall and replacement by a Masjumi-PSI cabinet under Harahap, and the PKI's election platform. It lists Gerwani only as 'the strong wom
Biography of Mrs Mudigdio (Siti Aminah), Harian Rakjat 8 Sep 1955, in US Monthly Indonesian Press Survey
US State Department Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (HathiTrust, vol. no. 11-21), p. 40, translating Harian Rakjat's 8 Sep 1955 biographies of PKI parliamentary candidates. Mrs Mudigdio (Siti Aminah Nahsjam Marah Umar), born Medan 1904, active in women's organisations from age 14, in Pertindo 1931-34, MP since 1945, an
Harian Rakjat, 24 September 1955, p. 4
Harian Rakjat, 24 September 1955, hlm. 4. Advertisement page before the 29 September 1955 election with a news item on domestic textile industry; no Gerwani item.
Events in Indonesia (conclusion): Harahap government and mass organisations
De Waarheid, 8 Oct 1955, p. 3: final part of Cor Geugjes's series on events in Indonesia, arguing the Harahap government (which replaced Ali Sastroamidjojo) is resisted: elections could not be postponed, New Guinea was raised at the UN, and preliminary results defeat Masjumi and PSI. Cites PKI (500,000), SOBSI (3 milli
Constituent Assembly Member Profile: Mrs Setiati Surasto
Konstituante.Net member profile (transcribed) of Nj. Setiati Surasto, PKI member no. 340 of the Constituent Assembly. Born 23 February 1920 in Banyuwangi, MULO educated. Civil servant in the Education Ministry 1941-50, KNIP member 1945-49, secretary of SOBSI Jakarta 1945-49, DPKS member and secretary of Sarpubri's regi
Pravda, 1956: working people of Indonesia respond to the 20th CPSU Congress
Pravda, No. 59, 1956 (c. 28 Feb), p. 3: Jakarta dispatch 'The working people of Indonesia speak' among foreign responses to the 20th CPSU Congress. SOBSI leaders (Sumandi, Sudoyo, Sudadi) praise the Congress; Gerwani leader Suharti says she followed it via newspapers and Moscow radio in Indonesian and is 'amazed' at So
Pravda, 1956: interview with Gerwani leader Suharti (excerpt)
Keyword-hit excerpt of Pravda, No. 59, 1956 (Jakarta dispatch of 27 Feb) on Indonesian reactions to the 20th CPSU Congress: SOBSI Jakarta secretary Sudadi and Suharti, 'leader of the women's organization Gerwani', who says she followed the Congress and admires Soviet progress toward communism. Followed by an unrelated
Monthly Indonesian Press Survey, 1956: SOBSI national council, women delegates Sri Ambar and Setiati Surasto
US State Department Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (nos. 11-21, 1956), p. 457: an item on the second session of the SOBSI national council, opened in Jakarta on 21 February 1956. It lists women present, including Setiati Surasto of Sarbupri and Sri Ambar of the labour-ministry union SB Kemperbu, with Tuti, Rantijem an
Gerwani statement on abrogating the KMB; women at the SOBSI national council (Bintang Timur, 23 February 1956)
Front page (with pp. 2-4) of Bintang Timur, Jakarta, 23 Feb 1956. The DPP Gerwani issues a statement, after a meeting with Central Java, West Java and Jakarta delegates, demanding full unilateral abrogation of the KMB agreements. Women delegates Setiati Surasto (Sarbupri), Sri Ambar, Tuti, Rantiyem and Emmy Purwati att
PKI has one million members: Aidit interview with Ogonyok
De Waarheid, 23 Mar 1956, p. 2: Moscow dispatch that the PKI has one million members, per Aidit in an interview with the Soviet magazine Ogonyok; SOBSI has 2.6 million, the peasant union BTI 2.5 million, Pemuda Rakjat 700,000 and Gerwani about 500,000. Useful as a contemporary membership figure for Gerwani.
Indonesian women briefly in Amsterdam en route to Budapest working women's conference
De Waarheid, 24 May 1956, p. 4: report on eight Indonesian women briefly in Amsterdam en route to the international conference of working women in Budapest (until 17 June), after a Soviet visit. They represent health, tea or cigarette, industrial and union workers, including Suhartini, Sutjati, Sudjinem, Supinah, Sumar
Moscow News, 30 May 1956: Indonesian women's delegation in Moscow
Moscow News (English), 30 May 1956, p. 5. Among general items (Afghan independence day, Anglo-Soviet and trade comment), a short piece reports a delegation of Indonesian women arriving in Moscow at the invitation of the Central Council of Trade Unions, led by Setiati Surasto, secretary of the plantation workers' union,
Indonesian women workers' delegation (Darmini, Gerwani) refused entry to Thailand (Bintang Timur, 5 July 1956)
Bintang Timur, 5 July 1956, p. 1 (four-page issue). Reports that the Indonesian women workers' delegation returning from the world women workers' conference in Budapest was refused entry/visas in Thailand on the way back via Copenhagen and told to continue flying or be jailed. Ten delegates are named from trade unions,
Gudok, 17 Aug 1956: 'Indonesia today' for the Republic's 11th anniversary
Gudok (Soviet railwaymen's paper), 17 Aug 1956, p. 4. Survey article by G. Svetlanov for the Republic's 11th anniversary: Dutch colonial legacy, nationalisations, five-year plan, foreign policy and Sukarno's coming visit. One passage lists Gerwani, 'half a million members', among leading patriotic mass organisations be
Statements
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1956-11-12, p. 2): a campaign of protest statements and telegrams against the British-French and Israeli attack on Egypt (Suez) is sent to the Indonesian government and British and French embassies by SOBSI, Sarbupri, Lekra West Java, Gerwani, OBSI Sumatra, KBKI Bandung, SBII and Pe
Parliament discusses the 1956 budget
De Nieuwsgier report (23 Nov 1956) on the parliamentary general debate on the 1956 budget with 19 speakers. Mrs. Umi Sardjono (Pembangunan) opposed reducing the deficit through higher taxes, which raise prices of necessities, urged that foreign companies and capitalists close the gap, and asked for a separate budget fo
Sukarno's Konsepsi widely supported; Nahdlatul Ulama opposes (Renmin Ribao, 24 February 1957)
Renmin Ribao, 24 Feb 1957, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): reports support for Sukarno's Konsepsi (mutual-cooperation cabinet) from SOBSI and Gerwani, whose 22 Feb statement cites imperialist plots and the rebellions of Lubis, Simbolon and Hussein; Nahdlatul Ulama's Duta Masyarakat and parliamentary chair Asjin oppose it.
Sukarno's Konsepsi widely supported; Nahdlatul Ulama opposes (Renmin Ribao, 24 February 1957)
Renmin Ribao, 24 Feb 1957, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): reports support for Sukarno's Konsepsi (mutual-cooperation cabinet) from SOBSI and Gerwani, whose 22 Feb statement cites imperialist plots and the rebellions of Lubis, Simbolon and Hussein; Nahdlatul Ulama's Duta Masyarakat and parliamentary chair Asjin oppose it.
Terror in Central Sumatra: Banteng Council arrests PKI members and Gerwani leaders
De Waarheid, 28 Feb 1957, p. 7: short report that the rebel 'Banteng Council' in Central Sumatra has set up a terror regime, arresting PKI members, unionists and democrats, and placing prominent members of the women's organisation Gerwani under 'town arrest'. SOBSI in Jakarta decided to call protest strikes. Early repo
Umi Sardjono article and Mudigdio speech in parliament; Gerwani defends menstrual leave (Harian Rakjat, 7 March 1957)
Harian Rakjat, 7 Mar 1957, p. 3: includes an article by Ny. Umi Sardjono for International Women's Day on women's struggle and rights (alongside a science piece), a DPR report with Ny. Mudigdio (PKI) speaking on 6 March, and Gerwani branch items. Notes 46 organisations including Gerwani opposing abolition of menstrual
Harian Rakjat, 9 March 1957: Umi Sardjono at the Women's Day exhibition
Harian Rakjat issue of 9 March 1957, very noisy OCR. Page 1 reports the International Women's Day exhibition (handicrafts, cooking, costumes, foreign stalls) in Jakarta, where Umi Sardjono (Gerwani leader) is among women leaders present alongside Fatmawati; the committee of ten women's organisations is chaired by Yahya
Djuanda vows to carry out programme; parties and groups back the new cabinet (Renmin Ribao, 13 April 1957)
Renmin Ribao, 13 Apr 1957, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): PM Djuanda's broadcast on the new extra-parliamentary cabinet and reactions of parties and organisations (PNI, NU, PKI/Aidit, Masjumi, PSII, Parkindo, Murba). Gerwani appears only in a list of mass organisations, with SOBSI, Perwari and others, that telegraphed support
Djuanda vows to carry out programme; parties and groups back the new cabinet (Renmin Ribao, 13 April 1957)
Renmin Ribao, 13 Apr 1957, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): PM Djuanda's broadcast on the new extra-parliamentary cabinet and reactions of parties and organisations (PNI, NU, PKI/Aidit, Masjumi, PSII, Parkindo, Murba). Gerwani appears only in a list of mass organisations, with SOBSI, Perwari and others, that telegraphed support
45 members in total: National Council definitively formed by president and cabinet
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1957-06-15, p. 1): announcement of the 45-member National Council (Dewan Nasional) under Sukarno, with Roeslan Abdulgani as vice-chair and secretary-general. Functional-group seats include workers (SOBSI's Munir), youth (Sujono Atmo, PKI) and women's organisations: Mrs. S.K. Trimurti and Mrs.
Composition of national council completed (Sukarno chair)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (15 Jun 1957, p.1): the 45-member National Council is announced, chaired by Sukarno with Roeslan Abdulgani as vice-chair. Members include Munir (SOBSI workers), Sardjono (peasants), Henk Ngantung (artists), and S.K. Trimurti and Rasuna Said for the women's movements; Mrs Towoliu represents C
Composition of the National Council announced
Java-Bode, 15 June 1957, p. 1: government announces the 45-member National Council chaired by Sukarno, with Roeslan Abdulgani as vice-chair. Women's organisations are represented by S.K. Trimurti and Rasuna Said; other members include Sobsi's Munir, PKI's Sujono Atmo, painter Henk Ngantung, Towoliu and Siwabessy, plus
Jakarta sets up National Council: Sukarno names members (New York Times, 16 June 1957)
New York Times, 16 June 1957, p.37, Special to the Times from Jakarta: Sukarno names the 45 members of the new National Council (Dewan Nasional), chaired by himself, with Roeslan Abdulgani as deputy chairman and secretary-general. About a quarter are described as Communists or sympathisers, including PKI member Sujono
Composition of the National Council announced
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 22 Jun 1957, p. 1: government announces the 45-member National Council under Sukarno, with Roeslan Abdulgani as vice-chair. S.K. Trimurti and Rasuna Said are named as the two representatives of women's organisations; Henk Ngantung (artists) and Ahem Erningpradja (labour) also appear.
SOBSI and price rise
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1957-07-10, p. 2): on 6 July a SOBSI National Council delegation led by Setiati Surasto met Labour Minister Samjono about rising prices of daily necessities, suggesting that labour unions be involved in solving the problem; the minister promised attention and SOBSI will meet other m
Installation and swearing-in of National Council does not undermine authority of cabinet and parliament
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1957-07-13, p. 1): Sukarno installs the 45-member National Council (Dewan Nasional) at the Istana Negara, swearing in 32 members, and stresses it does not undermine cabinet or parliament but assists, lends authority and bridges society and government. The full list names S.K. Trimurti and Rasu
Dr Hatta leads the development conference (Munas Pembangunan, 1957)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (27 Nov 1957, p.1): the National Development Conference chaired by Hatta, attended by Sukarno and Djuanda. Twelve morning speakers; Trimurti of the National Council proposes considering the pre-advice of Sukarno, Hatta and Djuanda after the general debate; others propose committees, national
US Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (1958): National Conference of Communist Women
US Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (1958) analysis of the First National Conference of Communist Women (Jakarta, 26-31 May 1958). Aidit's address presents the 'Communist woman' and calls for a wider Gerwani; Suharti Suwarto (Gerwani second deputy chair) and Sundari report on women's groups, only 100,000 women PKI membe
Captain Cook with strangely quiet children: the Dutch house, a cold deserted harbour
Nieuwe Haarlemsche Courant, 20 January 1958, p. 3: reporter's account of the arrival at IJmuiden of the Captain Cook with about a thousand Dutch and Indo-Dutch evacuees expelled from Indonesia after the December 1957 takeover of Dutch enterprises. It records broken families, fears and a claim that communist union cars
President Sukarno leaves Tokyo for home (Renmin Ribao, 16 February 1958)
Renmin Ribao, 16 Feb 1958, p. 6 (Xinhua): Sukarno ends a Japan visit, denouncing imperialism and rejecting interference; a Jakarta item reports SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, BTI and others backing the arrest of rebels such as Hussein and Lubis. Gerwani appears only in that list.
President Sukarno leaves Tokyo for home (Renmin Ribao, 16 February 1958)
Renmin Ribao, 16 Feb 1958, p. 6 (Xinhua): Sukarno ends a Japan visit, denouncing imperialism and rejecting interference; a Jakarta item reports SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, BTI and others backing the arrest of rebels such as Hussein and Lubis. Gerwani appears only in that list.
President Sukarno brings new strength to the Indonesian people (Renmin Ribao, 17 February 1958)
Renmin Ribao commentary, 17 Feb 1958, p. 5: praises Sukarno's nine-nation tour, backs Indonesia's West Irian claim and calls the PRRI/Permesta rebels imperialist-instigated. Notes that SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, BTI and seventeen Sumatran organisations backed the arrest of the rebels, and cites Aidit's call to brin
President Sukarno brings new strength to the Indonesian people (Renmin Ribao, 17 February 1958)
Renmin Ribao commentary, 17 Feb 1958, p. 5: praises Sukarno's nine-nation tour, backs Indonesia's West Irian claim and calls the PRRI/Permesta rebels imperialist-instigated. Notes that SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, BTI and seventeen Sumatran organisations backed the arrest of the rebels, and cites Aidit's call to brin
Gerwani Central Sumatra: statement against the PRRI rebels (Bintang Timur, 31 March 1958)
Bintang Timur, 31 March 1958, p. 1 (during the PRRI rebellion). Reports a statement by the Gerwani Sumatera Tengah leadership: women and people of Central Sumatra cannot be fooled again by the 'traitors' (PRRI, proclaimed 14 February 1958), stand firmly behind the central government, the army chief and President Sukarn
Gerwani DPP protests to the US and Taiwan governments (Bintang Timur, 6 May 1958)
Bintang Timur, 6 May 1958, p. 1 (after APRI's recapture of West Sumatran towns). Reports the Gerwani DPP's protest to the US and Taiwan governments over their intervention supporting Permesta/PRRI, demanding they stop interference, respect Indonesia's sovereignty and Asia-Africa, and appealing to American women to pres
CIA study, September 1958: The international communist fronts in 1958
CIA/US government study (September 1958) surveying the activities of the international Communist fronts (World Peace Council, Afro-Asian Solidarity Council, WFDY/IUS, WIDF, WFTU and others) in 1958. Chapter IV covers WIDF's Fourth Congress (Vienna, 1-5 June 1958) and secretariat. Gerwani appears only briefly: Suharti (
Aidit returns to Jakarta (Renmin Ribao, 9 April 1959)
Renmin Ribao, 9 Apr 1959, p. 4 (Xinhua, Jakarta): PKI delegation led by Aidit returns from the CPSU's 21st Congress via China and Vietnam. Gerwani leaders are named only among those greeting it at the airport, with Njono, PKI MPs, SOBSI and Pemuda Rakjat.
Aidit returns to Jakarta (Renmin Ribao, 9 April 1959)
Renmin Ribao, 9 Apr 1959, p. 4 (Xinhua, Jakarta): PKI delegation led by Aidit returns from the CPSU's 21st Congress via China and Vietnam. Gerwani leaders are named only among those greeting it at the airport, with Njono, PKI MPs, SOBSI and Pemuda Rakjat.
FBIS, 7 July 1959: Parties express support of Sukarno (1945 constitution decree)
FBIS summary (7 Jul 1959) of a broadcast report to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific on reactions to Sukarno's decree reinstating the 1945 constitution and dissolving the Constituent Assembly: Catholic Party, Democratic Youth, film union, PKI, economic congress and SOBSI supported it. Final line: the Indonesian Wo
Tages-Anzeiger, 11 July 1959: Indonesia on the road to dictatorship
Tages-Anzeiger analysis (11 July 1959, signed Th. v. R.) of Sukarno's return to the 1945 constitution and the army's rising power under Nasution. Lists PKI-linked mass organisations, giving Gerwani 75,000 members alongside SOBSI, Pemuda Rakyat, BTI, and notes PKI's 1957 vote.
CIA Current Intelligence Weekly Summary, 12 November 1959
CIA Current Intelligence Weekly Summary, 12 Nov 1959, a long multi-topic report; the Indonesia part (pp.23-27) assesses PKI strength (Aidit's claim of 1.5 million members, Java as base, army and Sukarno restrictions, Aidit's 1959 Moscow and Peking trip). It names GERWANI as the PKI's women's front, alongside Pemuda Rak
40 Years of the PKI
'40 Tahun PKI', compiled by the PKI History Institute (Lembaga Sejarah PKI) for the party's 40th anniversary, Yayasan Pembaruan, Jakarta 1960, following D.N. Aidit's 'Lahirnya PKI dan perkembangannya'. A party-line history from the 1920 founding through the 1926 uprising, Japanese occupation, revolution and the VI Cong
Documents of the Sixth National Congress of the PKI, Jakarta, 1-14 September 1959, Vol. I
Bintang Merah special issue, vol. 1: documents of the VI National Congress of the PKI, Jakarta 7-14 September 1959 (Yayasan Pembaruan, 1960). Contains Aidit's opening speech, the Central Committee's General Report, and Programme and Constitution changes. Gerwani is not named; on women it records growing women's members
Pravda, 1960: voice of Indonesian mothers; Setiati Surasto of SOBSI
Pravda, No. 40, c. 9 Feb 1960, p. 3 (selected page). Jakarta dispatch 'The voice of Indonesian mothers' (8 Feb): women's-movement activist Sri Slamet, SOBSI National Council member Setiati Surasto and mother Maruto Nitimihardjo welcome Khrushchev's planned visit and general-disarmament proposal. Also a Gromyko-Adam Mal
Pravda, 1960: Setiati Surasto of SOBSI and Indonesian mothers (excerpt)
Keyword-hit excerpt of Pravda, No. 40, c. 9 Feb 1960, 'The voice of Indonesian mothers' (Jakarta, 8 Feb): women's activist Sri Slamet, SOBSI National Council member Setiati Surasto and mother Maruto Nitimihardjo greet Khrushchev's coming visit and back his general-disarmament proposal, framed as the wish of Indonesian
Documents of the PKI Sixth National Congress, Vol. II (Bintang Merah special, 1960)
Volume II of the documents of the PKI Sixth National Congress (Jakarta, 7-14 September 1959; Bintang Merah special, Yayasan Pembaruan, 1960): delegates' speeches. It includes the speech of Suharti, deputy chair of the Gerwani national leadership (pp. 595-603), on women as the most oppressed, peasant women, women cadres
Documents of the PKI Sixth National Congress, Vol. II (Bintang Merah special, 1960)
Volume II of the documents of the PKI Sixth National Congress (Jakarta, 7-14 September 1959; Bintang Merah special, Yayasan Pembaruan, 1960): delegates' speeches. It includes the speech of Suharti, deputy chair of the Gerwani national leadership (pp. 595-603), on women as the most oppressed, peasant women, women cadres
Suara Tani, February 1960: Welcoming the WIDF Bureau session in Jakarta
Suara Tani (BTI organ), Feb 1960 (vol. XI no. 2), OCR noisy. Covers BTI protest over price rises, sugar-cane land rents, Khrushchev's coming visit and the Bandung peace conference. On p. 3 an article welcomes the WIDF Bureau session in Jakarta (late Jan 1960), stressing peasant women's backwardness, citing Sri Darnings
Izvestiia, 2 Mar 1960: 'A moving meeting', Khrushchev with Indonesian delegations in Jakarta
Izvestiia, 2 Mar 1960, p. 3, conclusion of a report on Khrushchev's farewell meeting in Jakarta with Indonesian representatives; Gerwani leaders are listed among those present with SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat, Lekra. Speeches by Njono, Buntaran Martoatmodjo and peace activist Setiadi (probably not Gerwani); Khrushchev's
Pravda, 2 Mar 1960: Gerwani among Indonesian mass organisations at Khrushchev's farewell
Pravda, 2 Mar 1960 (No. 62), pp. 1-3, 5 (machine-translated): coverage of the end of Khrushchev's 12-day visit to Indonesia (farewell speeches by Khrushchev and Sukarno; Calcutta stop). Pp. 2-3 report a farewell meeting on 29 Feb with delegates of mass organisations, naming 'the Indonesian women's movement (Gerwani)' a
Pravda, 2 Mar 1960: Gerwani welcomes Khrushchev among mass organisations (excerpt)
Keyword-hit excerpt of Pravda, No. 62, 2 March 1960, report 'People must live happily!' on Khrushchev's Indonesia visit. Leading figures of SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat, the women's movement Gerwani, the Peace Committee, the Soviet friendship society and Lekra gathered with gifts at his residence; SOBSI's Njono spoke of f
Sovetskaya Kirgiziya, 3 Mar 1960: Khrushchev's visit to Indonesia
Sovetskaia Kirgiziia, 3 Mar 1960, p. 2: TASS coverage of Khrushchev's 12-day Indonesia visit: toasts with Sukarno, Khrushchev's farewell at Kemayoran, and crowds. On the last day Khrushchev received delegates of mass organisations including SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani; Njono spoke. No Gerwani speaker is named
Friendship association and other groups see off returning overseas Chinese (Renmin Ribao, 19 June 1960)
Renmin Ribao, 19 Jun 1960, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): representatives of the Indonesia-China Friendship Association, the Peace Committee and Gerwani see off East and West Java Chinese leaving on Chinese ships. Peace Committee chair Mrs Arudji (PSII) and Gerwani leader Mrs Mandaki speak of lasting friendship; returnees say
Friendship association and other groups see off returning overseas Chinese (Renmin Ribao, 19 June 1960)
Renmin Ribao, 19 Jun 1960, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): representatives of the Indonesia-China Friendship Association, the Peace Committee and Gerwani see off East and West Java Chinese leaving on Chinese ships. Peace Committee chair Mrs Arudji (PSII) and Gerwani leader Mrs Mandaki speak of lasting friendship; returnees say
Over ten thousand overseas Chinese hold memorial meeting in Cimahi (Renmin Ribao, 15 July 1960)
Renmin Ribao, 15 Jul 1960, p. 5 (Xinhua, Jakarta): over 15,000 ethnic Chinese hold a memorial in Cimahi, West Java, for Ye Jinniang and Yang Mumei, killed 3 July by West Java military during forced removals. Gerwani's Central Council and its Jakarta, Bandung, West and East Java and Cimahi branches sent representatives.
Over ten thousand overseas Chinese hold memorial meeting in Cimahi (Renmin Ribao, 15 July 1960)
Renmin Ribao, 15 Jul 1960, p. 5 (Xinhua, Jakarta): over 15,000 ethnic Chinese hold a memorial in Cimahi, West Java, for Ye Jinniang and Yang Mumei, killed 3 July by West Java military during forced removals. Gerwani's Central Council and its Jakarta, Bandung, West and East Java and Cimahi branches sent representatives.
Ashes of Yang Mumei and Ye Jinniang shipped home (Renmin Ribao, 21 July 1960)
Renmin Ribao, 21 Jul 1960, p. 5 (Xinhua, Jakarta): ceremony at Tanjung Priok on 18 July sending home the ashes of Yang Mumei and Ye Jinniang, ethnic Chinese women killed in West Java, with their families and 700 poor or displaced Chinese (Presidential Decree No. 10). Gerwani, SOBSI, BTI, Baperki's women's department an
Ashes of Yang Mumei and Ye Jinniang shipped home (Renmin Ribao, 21 July 1960)
Renmin Ribao, 21 Jul 1960, p. 5 (Xinhua, Jakarta): ceremony at Tanjung Priok on 18 July sending home the ashes of Yang Mumei and Ye Jinniang, ethnic Chinese women killed in West Java, with their families and 700 poor or displaced Chinese (Presidential Decree No. 10). Gerwani, SOBSI, BTI, Baperki's women's department an
Biographical Profiles of DPR-GR Members, Aug 1960
Compilation of US embassy Djakarta biographical despatches (2 Aug 1960) on members of the new Gotong Royong parliament. Contains profiles of Gerwani figures: Umi Sardjono (Gerwis then Gerwani chairwoman, WIDF delegate 1960), Francisca Fanggidaej (PKI women's group Gerwani board), Setiati Surasto (SARBUPRI, Gerwani link
Colonel in South Borneo 'suspends' PKI and Gerwani activity
De Waarheid, 26 Aug 1960, p. 1: report that the military commander of South Kalimantan, Colonel Hasan Basry, 'temporarily suspended' activities of the PKI and other organisations in the province, including SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, the BTI peasant front, the women's organisation Gerwani and a cultural body, saying PKI ideo
Weekly Situation Reports on Indonesian Politics, September 1960
Compilation of Djakarta embassy weekly situation telegrams to the State Department, September 1960, on the army-Sukarno struggle over the PKI ban and a temporary ban on party activity. Gerwani is mentioned only in passing among PKI front organisations (with SOBSI, BTI) protesting bans.
Indonesian Labor Conditions: Unions, December 1960
Short compilation of US embassy telegrams and airgrams (Dec 1960) on Indonesian labour and unions. A 3 Dec telegram reports the South Sumatra-Jambi military command's continued ban on PKI and affiliates including SOBSI, PERBUM, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani after regulation changes; other items concern SOBSI and union cond
The Communist Party of Indonesia 1951-1961: A Decade of the Aidit Leadership (Hindley, 1961)
Donald Hindley's 1961 ANU PhD thesis on the Indonesian Communist Party under the Aidit leadership, 1951-1961, covering PKI strategy, party-building, finances, mass organisations and elections. Section 'Women' (pp. 422-448, esp. 'Gerwani', pp. 428-441) traces Gerwis from its founding on 4 June 1950 (about 500 members) t
Communism and the PKI, Despatch of January 1961
US embassy Djakarta despatch compilation (Jan 1961) analysing communism and the PKI, including its front organisations. The overview describes Gerwani as the communist women's organisation used for price and anti-bomb demonstrations, affiliated with the WIDF (which funds trips abroad for prominent members), and contras
The bridge of Chinese-Indonesian friendship will be further strengthened (Renmin Ribao, 1 April 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 1 Apr 1961, p. 5 (Xinhua, Jakarta): Jakarta press coverage of Chen Yi's visit, and over a hundred representatives of the Friendship Association, SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani presenting gifts (handicrafts, batik, Indonesian translations of Mao and Liu Shaoqi) to Chen Yi, with Sain Nasution speakin
The bridge of Chinese-Indonesian friendship will be further strengthened (Renmin Ribao, 1 April 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 1 Apr 1961, p. 5 (Xinhua, Jakarta): Jakarta press coverage of Chen Yi's visit, and over a hundred representatives of the Friendship Association, SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani presenting gifts (handicrafts, batik, Indonesian translations of Mao and Liu Shaoqi) to Chen Yi, with Sain Nasution speakin
US Embassy Despatches on PKI Tactics and the SOBSI Women's Labour Seminar, May 1961
US Embassy Djakarta despatches to the State Department, May 1961. One reports conservative views (Mohammad Roem) that the PKI won a limited victory by gaining legal recognition. The other reports the SOBSI National Seminar on Labouring Women (Jakarta, 11-14 May 1961), attended by Djuanda and Gerwani central board membe
National Seminar on Peasant Women, 17-20 January 1961 (DPP Gerwani)
Gerwani national leadership (DPP) brochure of the National Seminar on Peasant Women, Jakarta, 17-20 January 1961 (published 1962). Contains the DPP keynote on peasant-women's emancipation against imperialism and feudal remnants, speeches by BTI, ministers and D.N. Aidit, regional delegates' land-tenure reports, a Mudig
Pravda, 28 Apr 1962: Aidit's report to the Seventh (Extraordinary) PKI Congress
Pravda no. 118, 28 April 1962 (full issue). Page 4 reports D. N. Aidit's report to the Seventh (Extraordinary) PKI Congress (Jakarta): Guided Democracy, elections, West Irian, Malaysia, SEATO, party mass organisations. Gerwani appears in a single sentence, credited with 'important progress' in expanding organisation, m
Pravda, 28 Apr 1962: Aidit's report to the Seventh PKI Congress (excerpt)
Pravda no. 118, 28 April 1962 (excerpt of the page). Page 4 reports D. N. Aidit's report to the Seventh (Extraordinary) PKI Congress (Jakarta): Guided Democracy, elections, West Irian, Malaysia, SEATO, party mass organisations. Gerwani appears in a single sentence, credited with 'important progress' in expanding organi
Dilemmas of Indonesian Communism (van der Kroef, 1962)
Article by Justus M. van der Kroef (Pacific Affairs, summer 1962) on the PKI's dilemmas under Guided Democracy: dependence on Sukarno, the July 1960 'Evaluation' clash with the army, and the party's use of mass fronts. Gerwani is named as the PKI's women's front: its organ was aggressive without censure in 1961, and in
Protest at US support for Dutch seizure of West Irian; Gerwani letter to Robert Kennedy (Renmin Ribao, 17 February 1962)
Renmin Ribao, 17 Feb 1962, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): during US Attorney General Robert Kennedy's visit, Indonesian student bodies, trade unions and Gerwani protest US support for Dutch 'self-determination' on West Irian; Gerwani delivered a protest letter to the US embassy. Students shout 'Recover West Irian' at Gadjah M
Protest at US support for Dutch seizure of West Irian; Gerwani letter to Robert Kennedy (Renmin Ribao, 17 February 1962)
Renmin Ribao, 17 Feb 1962, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): during US Attorney General Robert Kennedy's visit, Indonesian student bodies, trade unions and Gerwani protest US support for Dutch 'self-determination' on West Irian; Gerwani delivered a protest letter to the US embassy. Students shout 'Recover West Irian' at Gadjah M
US Embassy Weekly Situation Telegrams, April 1962
Two US Embassy Djakarta weekly situation telegrams (JOINT WEEKA 14 and 15), 6 and 13 April 1962, on the West New Guinea dispute, PKI-Sukarno friction, Partindo, wage demands and military matters. Gerwani appears only once: it joined SOBSI and others in protesting the 'undemocratic' draft election bill providing for pop
Indo-Viet TU declaration
Tribune (Sydney), 11 Apr 1962, p. 8: Indonesian (SOBSI) and Vietnamese trade unions issue a joint declaration of solidarity against American and Dutch imperialism after talks with a visiting SOBSI delegation of Hartono, Sukirno and Sri Ambar. Vietnamese side hails Indonesia's West Irian decision. Gerwani not named.
Indo-Viet TU declaration
Tribune (Sydney), 11 Apr 1962, p. 8: Indonesian (SOBSI) and Vietnamese trade unions issue a joint declaration of solidarity against American and Dutch imperialism after talks with a visiting SOBSI delegation of Hartono, Sukirno and Sri Ambar. Vietnamese side hails Indonesia's West Irian decision. Gerwani not named.
After PKI protests: Sukarno withdraws election bills
De Waarheid, 8 May 1962, p. 2: report that Sukarno withdrew four bills on representative bodies (under which only one-third of the People's Congress, parliament and regional councils would be elected, the rest appointed) after protests first from the PKI, SOBSI, women's movement Gerwani and Pemuda Rakjat, later PNI and
Aidit's general report to the PKI Seventh Congress, part 2 (Renmin Ribao, 11 May 1962)
Renmin Ribao, 11 May 1962, pp. 4-5: Part 2 of D.N. Aidit's abridged general report to the PKI's Seventh Congress, covering finance for the eight-year plan, the international situation, PKI relations with the communist movement, and mass work. One paragraph says Gerwani, a 'revolutionary women's mass organisation', expa
Aidit's general report to the PKI Seventh Congress, part 2 (Renmin Ribao, 11 May 1962)
Renmin Ribao, 11 May 1962, pp. 4-5: Part 2 of D.N. Aidit's abridged general report to the PKI's Seventh Congress, covering finance for the eight-year plan, the international situation, PKI relations with the communist movement, and mass work. One paragraph says Gerwani, a 'revolutionary women's mass organisation', expa
Communists of Indonesia beloved by the people
Tribune (Sydney), 23 May 1962, p. 9: Laurie Aarons, Communist Party of Australia fraternal delegate, praises the Seventh Congress of the PKI as a mass party (383 delegates, 'two million' members) led by D.N. Aidit, with Sukarno speaking at the closing rally. Lists the mass organisations it leads: BTI, SOBSI and Gerwani
Communists of Indonesia beloved by the people
Tribune (Sydney), 23 May 1962, p. 9: Laurie Aarons, Communist Party of Australia fraternal delegate, praises the Seventh Congress of the PKI as a mass party (383 delegates, 'two million' members) led by D.N. Aidit, with Sukarno speaking at the closing rally. Lists the mass organisations it leads: BTI, SOBSI and Gerwani
West Irian struggle for a healthier economy
Nieuw Guinea Koerier, 23 June 1962, p. 3: Setiati Surasto, an Indonesian delegate at the ILO conference in Geneva, says all progressive forces in Indonesia are uniting against Dutch colonial stubbornness in West Irian and that Indonesia will use other means if peaceful liberation fails, framing it as part of workers' s
Indonesian mass organisations urge refusal of Taiwan's participation in the Asian Games (Renmin Ribao, 5 August 1962)
Renmin Ribao, 5 Aug 1962, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat, railway and other unions, and Gerwani's Central Committee urge the government to bar Taiwan (and Israel) from the Fourth Asian Games in Jakarta. Gerwani's letter says Indonesia's policy recognises only one China, the PRC. Pemuda Rakjat recalls
Indonesian mass organisations urge refusal of Taiwan's participation in the Asian Games (Renmin Ribao, 5 August 1962)
Renmin Ribao, 5 Aug 1962, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakjat, railway and other unions, and Gerwani's Central Committee urge the government to bar Taiwan (and Israel) from the Fourth Asian Games in Jakarta. Gerwani's letter says Indonesia's policy recognises only one China, the PRC. Pemuda Rakjat recalls
Renmin Ribao, 17 Nov 1962: Indonesian organisations back Cuba's five demands (Gerwani among them)
Renmin Ribao page 4, 17 November 1962: report that Korean, Vietnamese and Indonesian political groups back Cuba's five demands during the missile crisis. The excerpt lists Indonesian parties and bodies, including a women's association and the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), alongside labour and youth
Renmin Ribao, 17 Nov 1962: Indonesian organisations back Cuba's five demands (Gerwani among them)
Renmin Ribao page 4, 17 November 1962: report that Korean, Vietnamese and Indonesian political groups back Cuba's five demands during the missile crisis. The excerpt lists Indonesian parties and bodies, including a women's association and the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), alongside labour and youth
Renmin Ribao, 14 Dec 1962: Aidit supports the Brunei uprising; Indonesian organisations' statements
People's Daily page 4, 14 December 1962 (excerpt only), on Indonesian support for the Brunei rebellion. The excerpt lists organisations issuing statements of support: PNI, Murba, SOBSI, BTI, the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), Pemuda Rakyat and others. Shows Gerwani aligned with the PKI-led anti-Brit
Renmin Ribao, 14 Dec 1962: Aidit supports the Brunei uprising; Indonesian organisations' statements
People's Daily page 4, 14 December 1962 (excerpt only), on Indonesian support for the Brunei rebellion. The excerpt lists organisations issuing statements of support: PNI, Murba, SOBSI, BTI, the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), Pemuda Rakyat and others. Shows Gerwani aligned with the PKI-led anti-Brit
With Manipol Strengthen the United Women's Front (Gerwani DPP Plenary, January 1963)
Api Kartini (1963) report by Ratna on the Gerwani DPP Plenary held in Jakarta, 6-10 January 1963, a year after the 4th Congress. Umi Sardjono's general report praised the Irian Barat victory and the end of the state of emergency (1 May 1963), and the plenary resolved to strengthen the Nasakom-based national front, supp
US State Department INR Report no. 4489, January 1963: World strength of the communist party organizations
US State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research report no. 4489 (January 1963), an annual tabulation of Communist party strength worldwide for 1962, with country-by-country entries on membership, parliamentary status and front organisations. The Indonesia entry (about p. 98) gives the PKI more than 2,000,000 me
Book by PKI chairman D.N. Aidit (Demos, 1963) collecting his writings on the Indonesian revolution. Beyond the opening chapters, a passage on the Madiun affair (p. 128) records that Mrs Mudigdio and A.M. Tambunan put parliamentary questions on 9 December 1950 about the 1948 killing of Amir Sjarifuddin and ten comrades.
RAND paper P-2690 by Guy J. Pauker (Jan 1963, for Asian Survey), 'Indonesia: Towards Development or Expansionism?'. Surveys the West New Guinea settlement, the lifting of the state of emergency, PKI strength (Aidit versus Lukman factions), inflation, Soviet arms debt and the Brunei revolt. Mentions Gerwani once, as a P
Indonesia Protest at Mass Arrests (News-Mail, 6 February 1963), duplicate OCR
News-Mail (Bundaberg), 6 February 1963, p. 7, AAP-Reuter wire from Jakarta (duplicate OCR of GA-00265, with scrambled columns). SOBSI cabled protest to Singapore over mass arrests of leftists on 2-3 February; Partindo and Gerwani also protested. Also reports Brunei's Sultan warning against Indonesian volunteers and Gen
Indonesia Protest at Mass Arrests (News-Mail, 6 February 1963)
News-Mail (Bundaberg), 6 February 1963, p. 7, AAP-Reuter wire from Jakarta (clean OCR). The SOBSI federation, claiming three million members, cabled Singapore condemning its mass arrests of leftists as a move to quell opposition to Malaysia, and Partindo and Gerwani also protested. The Sultan of Brunei warned against a
Berita Harian, 6 Feb 1963: SOBSI, Partindo and Gerwani protest to Singapore government
Berita Harian, 6 Feb 1963 (lead text only). Reports from Jakarta that SOBSI, Partindo and Gerwani, described as leftist, protested to the Singapore government over arrests of left-wing figures on the island the previous week (Operation Coldstore).
Straits Times, 6 Feb 1963: SOBSI protests to Singapore Government over mass arrests
Straits Times, 6 Feb 1963 (lead only). SOBSI cabled a protest to the Singapore government over mass arrests of leftists, speaking for three million Indonesian workers. Matched on Gerwani; the companion Berita Harian item reports Gerwani joined the protest.
SOBSI, Partindo and Gerwani protest to Singapore government (Berita Harian, 1963)
Berita Harian, 6 February 1963, p. 3: SOBSI, Partindo and Gerwani send a protest to the Singapore government over the previous week's arrests of left-wing figures (Operation Coldstore); SOBSI blames the British and Tunku Abdul Rahman. The clipping is damaged and ends abruptly; Gerwani is only one of three protesting bo
SOBSI protest to Singapore government over mass arrests (Straits Times, 1963)
The Straits Times, 6 February 1963, p. 10, Reuters: SOBSI cables the Singapore government protesting the mass arrests of left-wing people the previous weekend and demanding release of detainees; Partindo and the Gerwani Women's Movement 'have also protested'. Brief mention of Gerwani among Indonesian left organisations
Grand mass rally in Bali welcomes Chairman Liu Shaoqi (Renmin Ribao, 19 April 1963)
Renmin Ribao, 19 Apr 1963, p. 1 (Xinhua, Bali): about 50,000 attend a rally in Bali welcoming PRC President Liu Shaoqi and Wang Guangmei. Liu stresses the anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggle; Sukarno attacks the Malaysia plan. Gerwani is listed only among attending organisations (BTI, SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, PNI,
Grand mass rally in Bali welcomes Chairman Liu Shaoqi (Renmin Ribao, 19 April 1963)
Renmin Ribao, 19 Apr 1963, p. 1 (Xinhua, Bali): about 50,000 attend a rally in Bali welcoming PRC President Liu Shaoqi and Wang Guangmei. Liu stresses the anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggle; Sukarno attacks the Malaysia plan. Gerwani is listed only among attending organisations (BTI, SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, PNI,
Sukarno presents gifts to Chairman Liu (Renmin Ribao, 21 April 1963)
Renmin Ribao, 21 Apr 1963, p. 2 (Xinhua, Jakarta): at the State Palace Sukarno presents gifts to Liu Shaoqi and Chen Yi before the farewell banquet; delegates of Indonesian organisations (Pemuda Rakjat, BTI, PKI, SOBSI, Baperki, Gerwani, Perwari and others) also present gifts, including a West Irian bird of paradise. G
Sukarno presents gifts to Chairman Liu (Renmin Ribao, 21 April 1963)
Renmin Ribao, 21 Apr 1963, p. 2 (Xinhua, Jakarta): at the State Palace Sukarno presents gifts to Liu Shaoqi and Chen Yi before the farewell banquet; delegates of Indonesian organisations (Pemuda Rakjat, BTI, PKI, SOBSI, Baperki, Gerwani, Perwari and others) also present gifts, including a West Irian bird of paradise. G
Communists in Indonesia: isolated position despite five million followers
Algemeen Handelsblad analysis by a contributor (1963-06-01) on the PKI's isolated position despite about five million followers. It credits the PKI with 1 million members plus 1.5 million in 'the communist women's organisation Gerwani', and discusses food prices, the lifting of the state of siege, SOKSI's rise and West
Chairman Aidit departs for the Soviet Union and China (Renmin Ribao, 21 July 1963)
Renmin Ribao snippet-only entry (21 July 1963, p. 3) on Aidit's departure to the USSR and China. The snippet lists PKI leaders and the heads of SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani among those at the airport; no Gerwani leader is named. The full article is in GA-01890.
Chairman Aidit leads delegation to the Soviet Union and China (Renmin Ribao, 21 July 1963)
Renmin Ribao/Xinhua report (21 July 1963, p. 3) on PKI chairman Aidit's delegation leaving Jakarta for Moscow, Beijing and Cuba, with his airport statements on the Sino-Soviet dispute, Nasakom and 'Malaysia'. Gerwani appears once, its head among mass-organisation leaders at the send-off. Useful for Gerwani's place in P
D.N. Aidit, 'Some problems of the Indonesian revolution and the PKI': Beijing report, 4 September 1963
Full Renmin Ribao text (5 Sept 1963, p. 3) of D.N. Aidit's 4 September Beijing rally report on the Indonesian revolution and PKI: semi-colonial, semi-feudal analysis, national united front, Nasakom, state power's 'two aspects', and party building. Gerwani appears only once, in a membership tally (1.5 million, alongside
D.N. Aidit, 'Indonesian-Korean friendship will last forever': Pyongyang speech, 11 September 1963
Full text (Renmin Ribao, 14 Sept 1963, p. 3, via Xinhua/KCNA) of D.N. Aidit's 11 September speech at a Pyongyang welcome rally: praise of North Korea, an outline of the Indonesian revolution, Nasakom, West Irian, the anti-US line and attacks on 'modern revisionism'. Gerwani appears once in the tally of PKI-aligned orga
Foreign guests from eighty countries at China's National Day celebrations
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao (1 Oct 1963, p. 3) on 1,800+ foreign guests at China's 14th National Day. The translation covers only Indonesia and women's items: M.H. Lukman's DPR-GR delegation, Lekra, SOBSI, BTI and other groups, and an Indonesian women's delegation with Kartinah Kurdi of Gerwani; also Cuban, Ghanaian,
Chinese mass organisations congratulate Indonesia on the opening of the first GANEFO
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao (11 Nov 1963, p. 3): six Chinese mass organisations telegram Indonesian counterparts (Afro-Asian solidarity body, SOBSI, Pemuda Rakyat, CGMI and others) on the opening of GANEFO. The All-China Women's Federation's 9 November telegram to Gerwani praises Indonesian contributions and wishes w
Continuing integration of the women's movement with Indonesian peasant women: report of Gerwani's Third Plenum (Harian R
JPRS translation of Harian Rakjat, 23 Jan 1964, on the Third Plenary Session of Gerwani's Central Council (Bandung, 18-22 Jan 1964). Chair Umi Sardjono reports on crushing 'Malaysia', price rises, the Cabinet of Mutual Assistance and land reform; stresses integration with peasant women, cooperation with the BTI, West I
JPRS 1964: Committee of the SOBSI Fourth National Congress (Setiati Surasto, Sri Ambar)
JPRS translation page (Translations on South and East Asia, no. 66-80, 1964-65, seq 266) listing the committee of SOBSI's Fourth National Congress. The Central Bureau has Moch. Munir as chairman and Mrs Setiati Surasto among the deputy chairmen; Sri Ambar is among the secretaries. Both are women named in the catalogue
How to deal with US imperialism's overbearing conduct: Indonesian responses
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao (12 Jan 1964, p. 4) on Indonesian responses to US pressure: a Harian Rakjat editorial calling for 'confrontation' of Malaysia, the Seventh Fleet and SEATO, and New Year messages from SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat and the Peace Committee. The Gerwani Central Committee pledges support for the go
Renmin Ribao, 7 Mar 1964: world opinion attacks US expansion of the South Vietnam war
People's Daily, 7 March 1964, p. 3: roundup of world protests at US escalation in South Vietnam ('a second Dien Bien Phu awaits you'). The excerpt says the Indonesian Peasants' Front, SOBSI, the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), Pemuda Rakyat and the student movement union recently met and denounced US
Renmin Ribao, 7 Mar 1964: world opinion attacks US expansion of the South Vietnam war
People's Daily, 7 March 1964, p. 3: roundup of world protests at US escalation in South Vietnam ('a second Dien Bien Phu awaits you'). The excerpt says the Indonesian Peasants' Front, SOBSI, the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), Pemuda Rakyat and the student movement union recently met and denounced US
Renmin Ribao, 20 Mar 1964: Indonesians volunteer against 'Malaysia' at National Front office
Renmin Ribao p. 3 (20 Mar 1964), on Indonesian volunteer registration against 'Malaysia'. The excerpt lists organisations whose members rushed to register at the National Front office, including SOBSI, the BTI peasants' front, the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), journalists, students and Baperki. No
Renmin Ribao, 20 Mar 1964: Indonesians volunteer against 'Malaysia' at National Front office
Renmin Ribao p. 3 (20 Mar 1964), on Indonesian volunteer registration against 'Malaysia'. The excerpt lists organisations whose members rushed to register at the National Front office, including SOBSI, the BTI peasants' front, the Indonesian Women's Movement Association (Gerwani), journalists, students and Baperki. No
Renmin Ribao, 16 May 1964: delegates at the international women workers' conference (Sri Ambar)
People's Daily, 16 May 1964, p. 4: report that Chinese, Indonesian and other delegates at an international women workers' conference upheld an anti-imperialist line against the Soviet delegate and 'Saiyang'. The excerpt quotes Sri Ambar, head of the Indonesian delegation, welcoming efforts for working-class unity and o
Renmin Ribao, 16 May 1964: delegates at the international women workers' conference (Sri Ambar)
People's Daily, 16 May 1964, p. 4: report that Chinese, Indonesian and other delegates at an international women workers' conference upheld an anti-imperialist line against the Soviet delegate and 'Saiyang'. The excerpt quotes Sri Ambar, head of the Indonesian delegation, welcoming efforts for working-class unity and o
Renmin Ribao, 25 May 1964: SOBSI women workers' delegation led by Sri Ambar arrives in Beijing
People's Daily, 25 May 1964, p. 3, a Xinhua report of 24 May: a SOBSI women workers' delegation led by Sri Ambar, SOBSI national council member and head of its women workers' department, arrives in Beijing with other foreign union delegates. Only an excerpt was retrieved. Sri Ambar Rukmiati is identified via the catalo
Renmin Ribao, 25 May 1964: SOBSI women workers' delegation led by Sri Ambar arrives in Beijing
People's Daily, 25 May 1964, p. 3, a Xinhua report of 24 May: a SOBSI women workers' delegation led by Sri Ambar, SOBSI national council member and head of its women workers' department, arrives in Beijing with other foreign union delegates. Only an excerpt was retrieved. Sri Ambar Rukmiati is identified via the catalo
Renmin Ribao, 27 May 1964: Beijing women workers welcome delegates to the international women workers' conference
People's Daily page 3, 27 May 1964 (excerpt only): hundreds of women workers in Beijing held a get-together for visiting delegates from Indonesia, Japan and British Guiana after an international trade-union conference on women workers' problems. The Indonesian delegation is the SOBSI women workers' delegation headed by
Renmin Ribao, 27 May 1964: Beijing women workers welcome delegates to the international women workers' conference
People's Daily page 3, 27 May 1964 (excerpt only): hundreds of women workers in Beijing held a get-together for visiting delegates from Indonesia, Japan and British Guiana after an international trade-union conference on women workers' problems. The Indonesian delegation is the SOBSI women workers' delegation headed by
Renmin Ribao, 29 May 1964: Vice-Premier Chen Yi receives foreign trade-union delegates (SOBSI women's delegation)
People's Daily, 29 May 1964, p. 3, Xinhua report of 28 May: Vice-Premier Chen Yi received the SOBSI women workers' delegation led by Sri Ambar, visiting China after an international trade-union conference on women workers, and spoke cordially with all members. The sweep identifies her as Sri Ambar Rukmiati (the excerpt
Renmin Ribao, 29 May 1964: Vice-Premier Chen Yi receives foreign trade-union delegates (SOBSI women's delegation)
People's Daily, 29 May 1964, p. 3, Xinhua report of 28 May: Vice-Premier Chen Yi received the SOBSI women workers' delegation led by Sri Ambar, visiting China after an international trade-union conference on women workers, and spoke cordially with all members. The sweep identifies her as Sri Ambar Rukmiati (the excerpt
World groups support nine Chinese arrested in Brazil; Havana rally on Gerwani's 14th anniversary
Xinhua roundup in Renmin Ribao (19 June 1964, p. 4) of international protests against Brazil's arrest of nine Chinese. Gerwani appears once: a Havana rally marking Gerwani's 14th anniversary, where SOBSI women's representative Tuti Supangat demanded the nine's release. Shows Gerwani's anniversary celebrated abroad and
LBJ National Security File: Indonesia, Communist Parties and Internal Politics (Sept 1964-Feb 1965)
LBJ Library National Security File, Indonesia (Sept 1964-Feb 1965): White House/State memoranda, Djakarta cables and CIA OCI reports on Sukarno's leftward drift, 'Sukarnoism' anti-PKI movement, succession, Malaysia and the USIS library crisis. Includes the CIA 'Sukarno and the Communists' report, listing Women's Front
Foreign guests from over eighty countries celebrate China's National Day
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao (1 Oct 1964, p. 6) on 2,600+ foreign guests at China's 15th National Day. Translation retains only Indonesian items: the PKI delegation under Yusuf Adjitorop, Harian Rakjat, SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat, Kowani delegations and Mrs Juswati as Gerwani's representative. Gerwani is a single name
CIA Special Report SC 00642/64A, 23 October 1964: Sukarno and the Communists
CIA Office of Current Intelligence Special Report SC 00642/64A, 'Sukarno and the Communists' (23 Oct 1964, Secret; declassified 1975). Analyses Sukarno's mutual exploitation with the PKI and Aidit's strategy; lists PKI front membership claims, including Gerwani at almost two million, beside BTI, SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat an
CIA, 'Sukarno and the Communists' (Office of Current Intelligence, 23 Oct 1964)
CIA Office of Current Intelligence report 'Sukarno and the Communists' (23 Oct 1964, ten pages), pre-coup assessment of the PKI-Sukarno relationship. Describes PKI growth to a claimed three million members and its fronts, including the Women's Front (GERWANI), 'almost two million'; also the cabinet, National Front, lan
Neues Deutschland, 16 Dec 1964, p. 7: Indonesians for closer GDR contacts
Neues Deutschland, 16 December 1964, p. 7: ADN dispatch from Djakarta, "Indonesier für engere DDR-Kontakte". After a GDR Volkskammer delegation's visit, trade unions (SOBSI) and mass organisations telegraphed the GDR consulate demanding closer friendship. The "progressive women's organisation GERWANI" sent copies of le
History of the Indonesian Youth Struggle (Youth Bureau, Ministry of Education and Culture, 1965)
Official history of the Indonesian youth movement (1908-1960) compiled by the Youth Bureau of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Balai Pustaka, Jakarta 1965 (prefaces dated Dec. 1963), in five periods. Gerwani appears only briefly: it is listed among organisations demanding action against the 1957-58 PRRI separatis
Pravda, 23 Jan 1965: Setiati Surasto at WFTU; Indonesia leaves the UN
Pravda no. 23, 23 January 1965 (full issue). Page 1 lists guests at a Kremlin luncheon for the WFTU Executive Bureau, including WFTU secretary Setiati Surasto and SOBSI deputy chairman Murdjoko. Page 3 reports Indonesia's notice of withdrawal from the UN over Malaysia's Security Council seat. No Gerwani content beyond
Pravda, 7 Oct 1965: events in Indonesia, demands to ban Gerwani
Pravda no. 280, 7 October 1965 (full issue). Page 3 TASS item 'On the events in Indonesia' (Jakarta, 6 Oct): Nahdlatul Ulama and other groups, via Angkatan Bersendjata, demand Sukarno ban the PKI, Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani, SOBSI; mass arrests of Communists; Sukarno urges calm ('saving the revolution is more important tha
Pravda, 7 Oct 1965: events in Indonesia, demands to ban Gerwani (excerpt)
Pravda no. 280, 7 October 1965 (excerpt of the page). Page 3 TASS item 'On the events in Indonesia' (Jakarta, 6 Oct): Nahdlatul Ulama and other groups, via Angkatan Bersendjata, demand Sukarno ban the PKI, Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani, SOBSI; mass arrests of Communists; Sukarno urges calm ('saving the revolution is more impo
Pravda, c. 27 Oct 1965: The Situation in Indonesia
Pravda, c. 27 October 1965 (No. 300), 'The Situation in Indonesia': two short TASS dispatches from Jakarta dated 26 October. They report Sukarno and Subandrio on the 30 September Movement and ongoing repression of the PKI. Gerwani is mentioned once, among organisations banned by military authorities in North Sulawesi a
Pravda, 1965: bans on the PKI and Gerwani in the regions (excerpt)
Pravda no. 300, 1965 (excerpt; TASS dispatch dated Jakarta, 26 Oct). Reports Sukarno ordering police and army to fire on those destroying Communist property, and military bans on the PKI, SOBSI and BTI in East Java and East Sulawesi; in North Sulawesi the ban also covers Gerwani. Rest is unrelated (OAU, Rhodesia, econo
US Embassy Airgram A-300 (Johnson Library copy): The September 30 Affair - background to the coup
Second, noisier OCR copy of the same US Embassy Djakarta airgram A-300 of 22 October 1965 (Masters), from the Johnson Library country file, 46 pages. Covers Sukarno-PKI offensive, the coup, PKI and Sukarno roles, army prospects. Gerwani is mentioned only as PKI women taunting the generals at Lubang Buaya (p.14) and as
FO 371/180309: Periodic Reports on Indonesia's Internal Political Situation (1965)
UK Foreign Office file FO 371/180309 (1965), periodic reports on Indonesia's internal political situation, mostly weekly letters from the British Embassy in Djakarta (S.J.G. Cambridge, M.J.T. McCann) to D. Tonkin, January to July 1965, with Antara and press extracts. It covers Aidit and the arming of peasants, Chairul
FO 371/180312: Internal Political Situation, Attempted Coup against Sukarno [3] (1965)
UK Foreign Office file FO 371/180312 (1965), 'Internal political situation, Attempted coup against Sukarno [3]', a volume of Embassy letters and telegrams from Djakarta (Ambassador Gilchrist, S.J.G. Cambridge), February to April 1965. It includes Gilchrist's character notes on Subandrio, Aidit and the generals, the tak
FO 371/180320: Gilchrist Despatch of 8 October 1965 on the Coup and Counter-Coup
UK Foreign Office file FO 371/180320 (Oct-Nov 1965): Gilchrist's despatch no. 13 of 8 Oct 1965 on the coup and counter-coup, plus telegrams, NATO and Commonwealth reports and Chinese/Soviet/Hanoi reactions. The despatch lists GERWANI among 'chief suspects' (p. 11) and says members of PKI youth and women's groups took p
FO 371/180322: Attempted Coup against Sukarno [13] (28 Oct-5 Nov 1965)
UK Foreign Office file FO 371/180322 (28 Oct-5 Nov 1965): Djakarta telegrams quoting Antara on the post-coup purge, Sukarno versus the generals, Medan and Central Java. Gerwani items: tel. 2418 (2 Nov, p. 52) reports a Kowani/women's congress move to expel Gerwani members; tel. 2421 (p. 57) quotes Suharto naming 'Pemud
FO 371/180323: Attempted Coup against Sukarno [14] (Nov 1965)
UK Foreign Office file FO 371/180323 (c. 4-16 Nov 1965): Djakarta telegrams, Antara extracts and Foreign Office correspondence on the PKI's destruction, Subandrio, Nasution and Sukarno. Gerwani items: tel. 2480 (p. 39) reports a 8 Nov Jakarta rally of women's organisations demanding dissolution of the PKI and Gerwani;
FO 371/180326: Political Parties and Communism (Feb-Aug 1965)
UK Foreign Office file FO 371/180326 (Feb-Aug 1965): embassy telegrams, letters and Antara extracts on the PKI's growth before the coup: its 45th anniversary, Aidit's speeches, Mao's greeting, Sino-Soviet positions and Sukarno's leftward drift. Gerwani items: Antara of 9 June reports Sukarno addressing Gerwani, chaired
FO 371/180337: Bilateral Relations with the US [3] (1965)
UK Foreign Office file FO 371/180337 (Mar-Nov 1965): telegrams and letters on US-Indonesian relations: Bunker mission, Peace Corps withdrawal, anti-American demonstrations, Ambassador Green, Palmer affair, then Anglo-American talks on aid to the generals after 1 October. No mention of Gerwani; 'women' appear only among
Sukarno chairs KOTI; organisations hail killing of Darul Islam leader Kahar Muzakkar
Xinhua dispatches in Renmin Ribao (8 Feb 1965, p. 4): Sukarno chairs KOTI, hears Subandrio's China report and news that the army killed Darul Islam leader Kahar Muzakkar; PNI, IPKI, SOBSI (3.5 million), youth groups and Gerwani acclaim the killing, with Bintang Timur and Harian Rakjat editorials on US/British threats.
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 24 April 1965: Aidit and Indonesian communism - on the springboard to power
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 24 April 1965, long analytical article 'Aidit and Indonesian Communism: on the springboard to power'. It reviews the Indonesian crisis, PKI history from 1920 through Madiun 1948, Aidit's rise and biography. Gerwani appears once, as a PKI front organisation with 1.5 million members, alongside SOBSI
FBIS-monitored Xinhua report (25 Apr 1965): Premier Zhou Enlai, in Jakarta for the Bandung anniversary, received Indonesia-China Friendship Association and mass-organisation representatives, among them SOBSI chair Mohammad Munir, the Peasants' Front, and Mme Mudikdio (Mudigdio), leader of the Indonesian Women's Movemen
Premier Zhou receives Indonesian mass organisation representatives (snippet)
Snippet-only Renmin Ribao extract (27 Apr 1965, p. 3): Premier Zhou receives representatives of Indonesian mass organisations, including Mrs Mudigdio, Gerwani leader, with SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat and Lekra leaders; truncated. Full text is GA-01968.
Premier Zhou receives leaders of Indonesian mass organisations in Jakarta
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao (27 Apr 1965, p. 3): on 25 April in Jakarta Zhou Enlai receives leaders of the Indonesia-China Friendship Association, SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat, Lekra and Gerwani (Mudigdio). Spokesman 'Sinki' praises China's nuclear test; Zhou praises 'fighting friendship', Bandung and Nasakom. Gerwani a
Fifteen Years of Gerwani (Harian Rakjat, 4 June 1965; JPRS 30968)
JPRS 30968 translation of the unsigned Harian Rakjat article 'Fifteen Years of Gerwani' (4 June 1965). Traces three periods: Gerwis (1950, 500 members; 74,977 by 1954 Congress), Gerwani (631,342 in 1957; 1,056,436 in 1961), and support for the women's front. Covers Melati kindergartens, peasant integration, the Kowani
Aidit's political report to the PKI Fourth Plenum (snippet)
Snippet-only Renmin Ribao extract (12 June 1965, p. 3) from Aidit's political report to the PKI's enlarged Fourth Plenum, 'Intensify the revolutionary offensive on all fronts'. The visible sentence says SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani, Lekra and CGMI are beginning to give Marxist education to their membership; trunc
D.N. Aidit, 'Step up the revolutionary offensive on all fronts': political report to PKI plenum
Long Xinhua summary in Renmin Ribao (12 June 1965, p. 3) of D.N. Aidit's political report to the enlarged PKI Central Committee plenum, 'Step up the revolutionary offensive on all fronts': Nasakom, bureaucratic capitalists, takeovers of US firms, the Murba/BPS ban, Vietnam, the UN exit, Khrushchev's fall; PKI over 3 mi
JPRS Translations on South and East Asia No. 101: Indonesian press, October 1965 (dismiss Gerwani from the women's movem
JPRS Translations on South and East Asia No. 101: selected Oct 1965 Indonesian press items. Gerwani-related: Duta Masjarakat (16 Oct) 'Dismiss Gerwani from Women's Movement' saying members trained at Lobang Buaja and urging Kowani (chair Hurustiati Subandrio) to act; 11 Oct 'Gerwani and Pemuda Rakjat in Disguise' (clai
Guests from eighty countries celebrate China's National Day on the eve of the 1965 coup
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao (1 Oct 1965, p. 3) on 2,000+ guests at China's 16th National Day, dated the eve of the 1965 coup. Only Indonesian items are translated: MPRS and economic delegations, a PKI delegation under Sidik Kertapati, SOBSI, Harian Rakjat and a Gerwani puppet-art study delegation (leader's name uncer
FBIS-monitored Jakarta radio text (5 Oct 1965) of the Nahdlatul Ulama executive board and affiliates' statement. It cites authorities' 'fact' that Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani members were brought from afar to be trained at Lubang Buaya where the generals' bodies were found, and asks Sukarno to disband PKI, Pemuda Rakjat,
FBIS-monitored Jakarta radio item (7 Oct 1965): Gertasi, a Gasbiindo transport union and the Progressive Pioneer Youth called for dissolving PKI and its mass organisations. The transport union salutes ABRI for arresting 'members of the people's youth (Pemuda Rakjat) and the Indonesian Women's Movement (Gerwani), both s
FBIS item (7 Oct 1965, Jakarta radio): the Perti party's executive board denounces the 'gestapo-style' terror, backs NU and PSII demands that Sukarno dissolve the PKI and its affiliates, listing Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, SOBSI, CGMI, Lekra, and suspends three members, placing the party under Rusli Abdul Wahid. Another ea
Anger mounts against the PKI over the killings (Berita Harian, 1965)
Berita Harian, 7 October 1965, p. 1: Sukarno's first cabinet meeting after 30 September; Nahdlatul Ulama demands a PKI ban and claims rebels armed Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani and SOBSI, and that Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani members trained at 'Sarang Buaya' (Lubang Buaya). Also press and rally restrictions in Sumatra and an ar
Neues Deutschland, 7 Oct 1965, p. 7: Sukarno chaired the session
Neues Deutschland, 7 October 1965, p. 7: ADN/ND report 'Sukarno leitete Sitzung', quoting TASS on the Indonesian cabinet meeting at Bogor after the 30 September events. Sukarno urged calm; the newspaper 'Angkatan Bersendjata' published the demand of Nahdlatul Ulama and others that he ban the PKI, Pemuda Rakyat, the wom
Mass arrests by Indonesian army: Communist offices burned (The Irish Times, 11 October 1965)
The Irish Times, 11 Oct 1965, p.66 (Reuter and AP): mass arrests of Communists in Jakarta (about 1,500 detained) after PKI headquarters were burned; Muslims and army organise processions demanding Aidit be hanged. Those arrested include Gerwani members, some alleged to have tortured the six generals, and a crowd of Mus
Berita Yudha, 14 October 1965
Berita Yudha, 14 Oktober 1965. Regional items: 105 organisations of South Kalimantan demand dissolution of the PKI and affiliates including Gerwani; Aceh demands; Gerwani listed among organisations to be banned.
Developments in Indonesia (editorial, Berita Harian, 1965)
Berita Harian editorial, 16 October 1965, p. 4, assessing the aftermath of the 30 September Movement: Untung's arrest crushes the armed army opposition, but 'opposition from cadres of Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani as well as SOBSI' continues, probably as guerrilla action; speculates on a Sukarno-Nasution compromise over th
Red Party outlawed: Indonesia bans Communist party, Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani (Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 18 October 196
Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 18 Oct 1965, p.1 (AP): Radio Jakarta announced a military ban on the Indonesian Communist Party and affiliates, issued in the name of Maj-Gen Umar Wirahadikusumah for the Jakarta area; SOBSI was banned, and Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani, 'the party's women's wing', were also placed under the ban.
Jakarta military bans Red groups (Leader-Post, Regina, 18 October 1965)
Leader-Post (Regina), 18 Oct 1965, p.10 (AP, Singapore/Jakarta): Radio Jakarta announced a military ban on the PKI and affiliates in the name of Maj-Gen Umar Wirahadikusumah; SOBSI banned, and Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani, 'the party's women's wing', also placed under the ban. Further reports: attacks on PKI offices in Ba
Jakarta outlaws Communist party (Ottawa Citizen, 18 October 1965)
Ottawa Citizen, 18 Oct 1965, p.3 (AP, Singapore): 'Jakarta outlaws Communist party.' Radio Jakarta announced a military ban on the PKI and affiliates in the name of Maj-Gen Umar Wirahadikusumah; SOBSI was banned nationwide, and Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani, 'the party's women's wing', were also banned, with leaders ordere
Ban on Communists reported (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 18 October 1965)
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 18 Oct 1965, p.1 (AP, Jakarta/Singapore): Radio Jakarta announced a military ban on the PKI and affiliates in the name of Maj-Gen Umar Wirahadikusumah; SOBSI banned, and Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani, 'the party's women's wing', also placed under the ban. Also reports attacks on PKI offices in Banda
Gerwani among banned Communist fronts (Vancouver Sun, 18 October 1965)
Vancouver Sun, 18 Oct 1965, p.3, whole page (Reuters/UPI); relevant items: Jakarta commander Maj. Gen. Umar Wirahadikusumah, in defiance of Sukarno, orders temporary suspension of the PKI and other pro-communist organisations in the Jakarta area, leaders to report within five days. Banned groups include the Youth Front
PKI Affiliates Including Gerwani Suspended (FBIS, 18-21 Oct 1965)
FBIS Daily Report pages (19 and 21 Oct 1965; HathiTrust scans) with the Jakarta war administrator's reporting order: from 19 to 24 October board members of PKI, Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, BTI, CGMI, Perhimi, IPPI, Lekra and HSI must report to police or military posts or face action. Also the bans on PKI and affiliates, Ge
Communist Party Ban (Sunraysia Daily, 19 October 1965)
Sunraysia Daily (Mildura), 19 October 1965, p. 1, short AAP report from Singapore that Radio Jakarta had announced the banning of the PKI and affiliates including Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani ('the women's wing') and SOBSI. It says all had been prime targets of the army-inspired anti-communist campaign after the failed 1 Oct
Communist Party Ban (Sunraysia Daily, 19 October 1965), duplicate
Sunraysia Daily (Mildura), 19 October 1965, p. 1, short AAP report from Singapore that Radio Jakarta had announced the banning of the PKI and affiliates including Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani ('the women's wing') and SOBSI. It says all had been prime targets of the army-inspired anti-communist campaign after the failed 1 Oct
Communist Party Banned in Indonesia (Canberra Times, 19 October 1965)
Canberra Times, 19 Oct 1965, p. 1 (AAP-Reuter): Radio Jakarta reports the PKI and affiliates banned, including Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani (called the women's wing), Sobsi, BTI and the student movement; the ban is by the Jakarta military commander, not Sukarno. Notes Army-led anti-Communist drive and Chinese protests. Early
Communist Party Banned in Indonesia (Canberra Times, 19 October 1965), duplicate
Canberra Times, 19 Oct 1965, p. 1 (AAP-Reuter): Radio Jakarta reports the PKI and affiliates banned, including Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani (called the women's wing), Sobsi, BTI and the student movement; the ban is by the Jakarta military commander, not Sukarno. Notes Army-led anti-Communist drive and Chinese protests. Early
Communist Party ban
Townsville Daily Bulletin, 19 Oct 1965, p. 1 (AAP): Radio Djakarta reports the PKI and affiliated organisations banned, including Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani ('the women's wing') and the Communist-dominated Sobsi trade unions, all prime targets of the Army's anti-Communist campaign. Notes that only Sukarno can legally ban a
Communist Party ban
Townsville Daily Bulletin, 19 Oct 1965, p. 1 (AAP): Radio Djakarta reports the PKI and affiliated organisations banned, including Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani ('the women's wing') and the Communist-dominated Sobsi trade unions, all prime targets of the Army's anti-Communist campaign. Notes that only Sukarno can legally ban a
Army commander bans PKI in Jakarta and surroundings, including Gerwani
De Waarheid, 19 Oct 1965, p. 3: report, citing foreign agencies, that Jakarta garrison commander General Umar Wirahadikusumo provisionally banned the PKI in and around Jakarta, along with SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani and some student groups, and ordered their leaders to report to police or military posts before 24 Oct
Demonstration against Subandrio
Leeuwarder Courant, 19 October 1965, p. 3: per Radio Jakarta the garrison commander Umar Wirahadikusumah temporarily banned the PKI in Jakarta and its allied organisations, including Sobsi and Gerwani, the latter accused of taking part in the torture and murder of six generals. Army 'cleansing operations' continue; Sub
Jakarta denies searching embassy
Twentsch Dagblad Tubantia (19 Oct 1965): Jakarta denies soldiers searched the Chinese embassy, as Beijing protested. Reports Maj.-Gen. Umar Wirahadikusumah's temporary ban in the Jakarta district on the PKI and affiliated bodies including Pemuda Rakyat, SOBSI and Gerwani; leaders have five days to report. Army reported
Jakarta denies searching embassy (duplicate)
Twentsch Dagblad Tubantia (19 Oct 1965): Jakarta denies soldiers searched the Chinese embassy, as Beijing protested. Reports Maj.-Gen. Umar Wirahadikusumah's temporary ban in the Jakarta district on the PKI and affiliated bodies including Pemuda Rakyat, SOBSI and Gerwani; leaders have five days to report. Army reported
Military ban confronts Indonesian Red Party (Calgary Herald, 19 October 1965)
Calgary Herald, 19 Oct 1965, p.6: AP/Washington Post wire item from Singapore/Jakarta reporting that Indonesia's army banned the Communist party in Jakarta in the name of Gen. Umar Wirahadikusumah, also banning Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani, 'the party's women's branch', and outlawing SOBSI. Mentions arrests of Radio Jakar
Sukarno resists pressure to dissolve Communists (The Gazette, Montreal, 19 October 1965)
The Gazette (Montreal), 19 Oct 1965, p.2 (AP, Singapore): 'Sukarno resists pressure to dissolve Communists.' The army banned the PKI in Jakarta in the name of Maj-Gen Umar Wirahadikusumah, SOBSI outlawed, and Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani, 'the party's women's branch', also placed under the ban; leaders to report within fi
La Tribune de Genève, 19 October 1965: Ban on the Indonesian Communist Party - Sukarno's policy defeated by the army
La Tribune de Genève, 19 Oct 1965, AP report from Singapore: the PKI and all affiliated organisations, including Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani and SOBSI, were banned by order of the Jakarta regional commander, nationwide, as 'organisations that took part in the failed coup'. Also banned: Peasants' Front, scholars' assembly an
FBIS-monitored Makassar radio text (19 Oct 1965): the commandant of the 14th South-Southeast Sulawesi military command, as regional Dwikora authority, temporarily prohibited activities of PKI, Gerwani, SOBSI and affiliated unions, Pemuda Rakjat, CGMI, Perhimi, Lekra and HSI, effective 18 October, in line with Koti inst
Other Indonesian parties' stance after 30 September: Nahdlatul Ulama statement (snippet)
Snippet-only Renmin Ribao extract (20 Oct 1965, p. 5) from a compilation of Indonesian statements after 30 September. The visible text is point 3 of the Nahdlatul Ulama statement, claiming Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani members were sent from afar to Lubang Buaya for training; truncated. Full text is GA-01982.
Stance of other parties in Indonesia: statements demanding dissolution of PKI and mass organisations
Renmin Ribao compilation (20 Oct 1965, p. 5) of Indonesian organisations' statements after 30 September, taken from Radio Republik Indonesia and Antara. Nahdlatul Ulama and affiliates, Perti and others demand dissolution of the PKI, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani; the NU text alleges Gerwani and Pemuda Rakyat members were t
Abrupt change in Indonesia's political situation: Suharto takes control, mass arrests, PKI offices burned
Xinhua survey in Renmin Ribao (20 Oct 1965, p. 1) of Indonesia's first three weeks after 30 September, from Chinese-side sources: Suharto takes control, mass arrests (3,000 by 17 October), PKI headquarters burned, Harian Rakjat closed, universities shut, anti-Chinese incidents. Gerwani appears in the NU demand to disso
FBIS-monitored ANTARA English report (20 Oct 1965): some 100,000 Ansor youths in Jakarta (Taman Suropati) demanded dissolution of the PKI and affiliates for their part in the coup, endorsed the war administrator's suspension decision, said 'CGMI, Gerwani, SOBSI and Lekra were deeply involved in the recent terror moveme
FBIS-monitored Manado radio text (20 Oct 1965): the commandant of the 13th Regional Military Command, as regional Dwikora authority, temporarily suspended the PKI and its affiliates in North Sulawesi: Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, BTI, CGMI, Perhimi, IPPI, HSI, Lekra and SOBSI (Pepelrada decision 029/1965). Regional ban nami
Suara Merdeka, 21 October 1965, p. 1: Anti-PKI mass action in Semarang
Suara Merdeka (Semarang), 21 Oktober 1965, hlm. 1. Front page on the anti-PKI mass action sweeping Semarang on 20 Oct 1965 after RPKAD's arrival under Sarwo Edhie: burning of PKI, SOBSI, CGMI and Baperki buildings; Gerwani appears among targets.
FBIS-monitored ANTARA report (21 Oct 1965): at Madjalengka Square, Bandung (West Java) region, before thousands and the local commandant, PKI sectional committee members and affiliates declared themselves out of the PKI and dissolved the branches, renewing allegiance to Sukarno. The statement lists nine signatories, in
Peking Review no. 43, 22 October 1965: drastic changes in Indonesian political situation; Gerwani office burnt
Peking Review no. 43 (22 Oct 1965), Chinese state weekly, with a Xinhua round-up on 'drastic changes' in Indonesia after 30 September. It reports army-controlled Djakarta groups demanding dissolution of the PKI, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani (c. 5 Oct), Gerwani's office burnt down on 9 Oct, and the later banning order; Ren
Suara Merdeka, 22 October 1965, p. 1: Diponegoro military command freezing decree
Suara Merdeka (Semarang), 22 Oktober 1965, hlm. 1. Prints decree Kep-PPDD/0064/10/1965 of 20 Oct 1965 by Pangdam Diponegoro freezing the PKI and its mass organisations, listing 'Ormas Wanita: Gerakan Wanita Indonesia (Gerwani)'.
Suara Merdeka, 22 October 1965, pp. 2-3: Semarang mass action, Majalengka dissolution, student demands
Suara Merdeka (Semarang), 22 Oktober 1965, hlm. 2–3. Editorials on Col. Katamso and the Semarang mass action, self-dissolution in Majalengka co-signed by a Gerwani representative, and UI students demanding dissolution of PKI, Gerwani and others.
L'Impartial, 22 October 1965: The purge continues in Indonesia
L'Impartial (La Chaux-de-Fonds), 22 Oct 1965, 'The purge continues in Indonesia' (UPI). Purges in army, public services, education and unions; the Tjakrabirawa guard is nearly cleansed. The military governor of Yogyakarta banned the PKI and affiliated organisations, including the youth front, the women's organisation G
US Embassy Djakarta Airgram A-300, 22 October 1965: The September 30 Affair - history and interpretation of the attempte
US Embassy Djakarta airgram A-300 (22 Oct 1965, Edward Masters), a 46-page analysis of the 30 September Movement, the PKI, Sukarno, Air Force and army prospects. Gerwani appears only twice: as members of PKI paramilitary TIK units trained at Halim, and as PKI women said to have taunted and humiliated the generals at Lu
Seven Political Parties Issue Joint Statement (FBIS, 23 Oct 1965)
FBIS-monitored ANTARA report (23 Oct 1965): seven parties (PSII, Catholic Party, IPKI, Perti, NU, a functional group and Muhammadiyah) issued a joint statement of 21 October that the PKI and its mass organisations, naming Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, SOBSI, HSI, Lekra, CGMI and others, were clearly involved in the 30 Septem
Telegram 1168 to Secretary of State, 23 Oct 1965
US Embassy telegram 1168, 23 Oct 1965: anti-communist unions demand dissolution of the PKI and SOBSI from Labour Minister Sutomo, who hesitates; Army liaison approached. Labour-front context; no Gerwani content.
Hungarian press, 23 Oct 1965: WFTU secretariat incl. Setiati Surasto (Indonesia)
Hungarian daily Dunántúli Napló, 23 Oct 1965 (snippet only). A list of WFTU secretariat members includes Setiati Surasti of Indonesia, alongside Dragoi (Romania), Chen Ji (China) and Mohammed Al[...]. It shows Setiati Surasto, a woman trade unionist named in the catalogue, still listed in the international secretariat
Suara Merdeka, 25 October 1965, p. 1: Sukabumi PKI organisations self-dissolve
Suara Merdeka (Semarang), 25 Oktober 1965, hlm. 1. Antara: on 15 Oct the PKI leaderships of Sukabumi with SOBSI, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani declared self-dissolution after consulting the local Pantja Tunggal.
Suara Merdeka, 26 October 1965, p. 1: Yogyakarta freezing decree by Col. Widodo
Suara Merdeka (Semarang), 26 Oktober 1965, hlm. 1. Col. Widodo froze the PKI and its mass organisations in Yogyakarta by decree of 20 Oct 1965, listing Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani, CGMI, IPPI, Lekra, Perhimi, BTI and SOBSI; Gerwani appears only in the decree list.
Seven Student Organizations Establish Front (FBIS, 27 Oct 1965)
FBIS-monitored ANTARA report (27 Oct 1965): seven student and pupil organisations formed a Student Front and called on Sukarno to dissolve the PKI and mass organisations 'such as Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, CGMI, IPPI, SOBSI, HSI', and backed the education minister's suspension of PKI-linked bodies in the ministry. Another
Suara Merdeka, 30 October 1965, p. 2: Pekanbaru crowds raze PKI and mass-organisation offices
Suara Merdeka (Semarang), 30 Oktober 1965, hlm. 2. After a rally in Pekanbaru crowds razed all offices of the PKI, SOBSI, Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani, Baperki and BTI within a day; members were 'rescued' from crowds by state organs, some injured.
The Anti-Communist Campaign in Indonesia: A Chronology (USIA R-158-65), Nov 1965
USIA Research and Reference Service report R-158-65 (November 1965), a chronology of the anti-Communist campaign in Indonesia, 1-20 October 1965, built on Indonesian and foreign radio and press. Gerwani entries: Suharto's 4 Oct TV statement linking the generals' murders to Pemuda Rakjat and Gerwani training grounds; NU
Telegram 1290 to Department of State, 1 Nov 1965
US Embassy telegram 1290, 1 Nov 1965: labour attache's Palembang visit finds 600 communists jailed, SOBSI officials at Shell, Stanvac and PUSRI arrested, and concern for American oil staff. Context on arrests in the oil sector.
FBIS summary of Manado radio (3 Nov 1965): the North Sulawesi Regional Council pledged to implement Sukarno's 21 October commands and asked him to dissolve the PKI and affiliates including Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani, SOBSI, BTI, fishermen's front, HSI, Lekra, CGMI, IPPI, Perhimi and Baperki; it urged purges, and trial of d
Neue Berner Zeitung, 5 November 1965: How the Indonesian Communist Party wanted to seize power - mass murders planned
Neue Berner Zeitung, 5 Nov 1965, DPA report 'How the Communist Party of Indonesia wanted to seize power: mass murders were planned'. Citing army-held 'captured plans', it claims the PKI intended to kill 10,000+ officers and officials, and to arm one million peasants and workers as a militia built from Pemuda Rakyat, BT
Neue Zürcher Nachrichten, 5 November 1965: Was Sukarno himself involved in the coup?
Neue Zürcher Nachrichten, 5 Nov 1965, 'Was Sukarno himself involved in the coup?' (dpa). Same DPA account: army-held plans allegedly show the PKI intended to murder 10,000+ officers and arm one million peasants and workers as a people's militia from Pemuda Rakyat, BTI, SOBSI and Gerwani cadres; the coup failed in 18 ho
Walliser Bote, 5 November 1965: The greatest riddle of the Indonesian coup - Sukarno's conduct
Walliser Bote (5 Nov 1965) running a DPA report on the coup, repeating army-sourced claims of a PKI plan to murder 10,000+ officials and build a people's militia from Pemuda Rakyat, BTI, SOBSI and Gerwani cadres on the Peking model. Also puzzles over Sukarno's presence at Halim.
Statement published: young communists took part in the killing
Leeuwarder Courant, 6 November 1965, p. 3: relays an armed-forces bulletin story by 'Djamilah', a 15-year-old Pemuda Rakjat member, who says she was ordered to Halim for training and that about 100 Gerwani women were given knives and razor blades and mutilated and stabbed a blindfolded man at dawn on 1 October. The pap
Gruesome story of a communist woman: Indonesian general slaughtered with razors
Nieuwe Haarlemsche Courant, 6 November 1965, p. 3: UPI report (headline 'PKI women's section the culprit') relaying the armed-forces bulletin story of 'Djamilah', a pregnant 15-year-old Pemuda Rakjat member, who describes training at Halim and about 100 Gerwani women handed knives and razors who mutilated and stabbed a
Berner Tagwacht, 6 November 1965: The greatest riddle of the Indonesian coup - Sukarno's conduct
Berner Tagwacht (Bern), 6 Nov 1965, DPA-based report on the Indonesian coup. Citing army-compiled 'captured plans', it claims the PKI planned to murder 10,000+ officers in five days and arm one million peasants and workers via Pemuda Rakyat, BTI, SOBSI and Gerwani cadres as a militia on the Peking model. It calls Sukar
Geschäftsblatt für den obern Teil des Kantons Bern, 6 November 1965: The greatest riddle of the coup - Sukarno's conduct
Geschäftsblatt für den obern Teil des Kantons Bern, 6 Nov 1965: the same DPA report on the Indonesian coup as in Berner Tagwacht, with other subheadings. It alleges PKI plans (from captured documents) to murder 10,000+ officers and to arm one million peasants and workers as a militia using Pemuda Rakyat, BTI, SOBSI and
FBIS-monitored ANTARA report (6 Nov 1965): PKI and affiliates on Bali, including BTI, Gerwani, Pemuda Rakjat, Lekra, HSI, SOBSI, IPPI and the PGRI teachers' union, were suspended from 3 November. Leaders must report daily to military commands and sign obedience statements, take down signboards within five days; the war
Words and deeds of the Indonesian army: Nasution and Suharto statements reprinted
Renmin Ribao (7 Nov 1965, p. 5) reprints Indonesian army statements from radio and Antara: Nasution's 25 October speech on 'slander' and purges, Suharto's 30 October Bandung speech calling the PKI the 'protagonist' and Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwani members 'supporting roles' of the movement, an army information chief's int
Pregnant teenager confesses: PKI women tell of the cruel killing at Lubang Buaya (Berita Harian, 1965)
Berita Minggu/Berita Harian, 7 November 1965, p. 10, UPI: the 'confession' of Jamilah, 15 and pregnant, a Pemuda Rakyat member, reported from Angkatan Bersenjata. She says about 100 Gerwani women among 500 at Halim were given knives, struck first, and hacked a blindfolded general's genitals. A core Lubang Buaya slander
The Hindustan Times, 8 Nov 1965: the Bali war administrator has suspended the PKI and affiliates, including Gerwani (Women's Movement), Pemuda Rakjat, students' association, peasants' union and SOBSI, with daily reporting to the military, removal of signboards in five days and a curfew from 3 Nov. It notes Sukarno was
The Times of India, 8 Nov 1965, p.1 (Jakarta, 7 Nov): the PKI and affiliated mass organisations in Bali, including Gerwani (Women's Movement), Pemuda Rakjat, Lekra, BTI, student, teachers' (PGRI) and SOBSI unions, have been suspended; leaders must report daily and a curfew applies. Sukarno says he is considering bannin
Burgdorfer Tagblatt, 8 November 1965: Was Sukarno involved in the coup? Revelations from Indonesia
Burgdorfer Tagblatt (Burgdorf), 8 Nov 1965, 'Was Sukarno involved in the coup?', the same DPA report as in Berner Tagwacht with subheadings. It claims captured plans show the PKI intended to kill 10,000+ officers and officials, and to arm one million peasants and workers as a 'people's militia' using cadres of Pemuda R
Moscow's dispute with Peking: Soviet-Chinese controversies at the WFTU congress (NZZ, 10 Nov 1965)
Neue Zurcher Zeitung report (signed T. R., 10 November 1965) on the WFTU congress in Warsaw, overshadowed by the Soviet-Chinese conflict. Among the eight secretariat members elected is Setiati Surasto (Indonesia); the Indonesian delegation is said to have backed the Chinese line. This documents her international trade-
Berita Yudha, 16 November 1965. Puspen AD report that the PKI in Ambon dissolved itself and its former Maluku head Umar Lestaluhu instructed PKI, PR, Gerwani, SOBSI, Lekra, IPPI, CGMI and BTI to follow.
Pravda, 17 Nov 1965: The Situation in Indonesia
Pravda, 17 November 1965 (No. 321), 'The Situation in Indonesia': TASS dispatches of 16 November on the removal of 62 MPs, a purge operation in Jepara (315 arrests), a curfew in Makassar and a planned army purge. Gerwani is named once, among left-wing organisations (with SOBSI and BTI) banned in the Moluccas by Brig. G
Pravda, 16 Nov 1965: Indonesia, Gerwani banned in the Moluccas (excerpt)
Pravda no. 321, 16 November 1965 (excerpt). TASS dispatch from Jakarta: 62 MPs (about 25 per cent) removed for alleged involvement in the 30 September Movement; the Moluccas commander Brig. Gen. Busiri temporarily bans the PKI, SOBSI, Gerwani and BTI; 315 arrested near Jepara; curfew in Makassar; planned army purge. Ot
Pravda, 17 Nov 1965, p. 1: 'Situation in Indonesia', Gerwani banned in the Moluccas
Pravda front page, 17 Nov 1965: TASS dispatch 'The situation in Indonesia'. Reports 62 MPs removed after the 30 September Movement, 315 arrests in Jepara, and that Brig. Gen. Busiri temporarily banned the PKI, SOBSI, Gerwani ('Gervani') and BTI in the Moluccas.
Njono: PKI coup hastened by Sukarno's illness
Leeuwarder Courant, 1 December 1965, p. 11: relays armed-forces newspaper reports of SOBSI chief Njono's interrogation statements: planning began in July, Aidit's claim that Sukarno was gravely ill was decisive, and Njono was to raise a 2,000-man reserve from PKI, Pemuda Rakjat, Sobsi, BTI and Gerwani members, learning
Further Report on Confessions of Njono (FBIS, 2 Dec 1965)
FBIS item (ANTARA, 2 Dec 1965) reporting Njono's army-publicised interrogation: PKI Politburo allegedly planned the coup from July to August 1965 under Aidit. Gerwani is named among the organisations expected to support military operations and, with Pemuda Rakyat, BTI and SOBSI, in Njono's Jakarta force. Lubang Buaya i
Berita Yudha, 3 December 1965
Berita Yudha, 3 Desember 1965. Army's version of the 'confession' of SOBSI chair and Politburo member Njono, with Gerwani items on pp. 1–2.
Djakarta Ban on PKI and Affiliates Reported (FBIS, 6 Dec 1965)
FBIS item (Jakarta radio, 6 Dec 1965): the Jakarta military authorities banned the PKI and its mass organisations as masterminds of the 30 September Movement. Maj. Gen. Umar Wirahadikusumah announced an operation to recover weapons allegedly distributed to Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani and SOBSI members. Gerwani appears only
The masses did not rise (The Hindustan Times, 8 December 1965)
The Hindustan Times, 8 Dec 1965, Dennis Bloodworth (Singapore), 'PKI Debacle I: The Masses Did Not Rise': analysis of why the PKI collapsed after the 1 Oct coup: overrated membership, reliance on Sukarno and on army and air force penetration, no general strike, SOBSI dissolving. It reports Untung's alleged claim that m
Army plans to kill P.K.I. for ever (The Scotsman, 8 December 1965)
The Scotsman, 8 Dec 1965, Dennis Bloodworth, 'Army plans to kill PKI for ever': Suharto and Nasution press to destroy the PKI while Sukarno refuses to ban it; the article analyses the PKI's miscalculations. It repeats the slander that six generals were mutilated by 'doe-eyed girls' of the PKI's 'Gerwani' women's moveme
Indonesia, a new Vietnam (Drammens Tidende og Buskeruds Blad, 13 December 1965)
Drammens Tidende og Buskeruds Blad (Norway), 13 Dec 1965, p. 4 (page image): Albert Henrik Mohn's Jakarta report 'Indonesia - a new Vietnam', surveying the PKI's history from 1920 and Aidit's leadership. It lists PKI mass organisations, including SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat and the women's organisation 'Gerwani' with rou
Indonesia, a new Vietnam (Drammens Tidende og Buskeruds Blad, 13 December 1965), OCR text
Drammens Tidende og Buskeruds Blad (Norway), 13 Dec 1965, p. 4 (OCR text): Albert Henrik Mohn's Jakarta report 'Indonesia - a new Vietnam', surveying the PKI's history from 1920 and Aidit's leadership. It lists PKI mass organisations, including SOBSI, BTI, Pemuda Rakyat and the women's organisation 'Gerwani' with rough
Indonesia, a new Vietnam? (Haugesunds Avis, 17 December 1965)
Haugesunds Avis (Norway), 17 Dec 1965, p. 8 (page image): Albert Henrik Mohn's Jakarta article 'Indonesia, a new Vietnam?' on PKI history, Aidit's rise and party growth to 3 million. It names PKI mass organisations (SOBSI, peasant front, Pemuda Rakyat, and the women's organisation Gerwani with about 1.5 million members
Indonesia, a new Vietnam? (Haugesunds Avis, 17 December 1965), OCR text
Haugesunds Avis (Norway), 17 Dec 1965, p. 8 (OCR text): Albert Henrik Mohn's Jakarta article 'Indonesia, a new Vietnam?' on PKI history, Aidit's rise and party growth to 3 million. It names PKI mass organisations (SOBSI, peasant front, Pemuda Rakyat, and the women's organisation Gerwani with about 1.5 million members)
Airgram A-398: List of PKI Leaders and Their Whereabouts, 17 Dec 1965
US Embassy airgram A-398, 17 Dec 1965, listing PKI leadership bodies after May 1965 and fugitive leaders' whereabouts. Places Suharti (Gerwani chair, head of the PKI women's department), Umi Sardjono, Setiati Surasto and Mudjiatun in PKI organs; no women in the whereabouts list.
Telegram 212 (Joint Sitrep 22), US Consulate Surabaya, 27 Dec 1965
US Consulate Surabaya Joint Sitrep 22, 27 December 1965: killings continue more discreetly, NU campaign to 'exterminate PKI' covers East Java, Madiun prisoners delivered to civilians. Regional context; no Gerwani content.
Case of Njono (Mahmillub I), 1966
Army-published official record of the first Mahmillub trial, of PKI Politburo member Njono (1966), with decrees, indictment and proceedings; printed in 21,000 copies. Primary source on the legal framing of the 30 September Movement.
Dossier of the Indonesian Drama (Lucien Rey, New Left Review, 1966)
Article by Lucien Rey (New Left Review no. 36, March 1966) reconstructing the 1 October 1965 events as a plot by dissident Central Java officers, plus a translated Asahi Shimbun interview with PKI deputy chair Njoto. Says People's Youth and Gerwani auxiliaries trained at Halim took part in the generals' executions in r
Angkatan Bersendjata, 6 January 1966
Angkatan Bersendjata, 6 Jan 1966. Antara claims PKI leaders 'admitted' Gerwani and Pemuda Rakyat were physically trained in North Sumatra before 1 October; two Pekalongan women 'known as Gerwani' forced to recite the shahada; Soetiman's 'confession'.
Angkatan Bersendjata, 11 January 1966
Angkatan Bersendjata, 11 Jan 1966. NTB military order (31 Dec 1965) dissolving the PKI and affiliates including Gerwani, BTI, SOBSI, Lekra, Baperki and Universitas Rakyat (UNRA), confiscating their property; about 66,000 detainees in Central Java.
Angkatan Bersendjata, 15 January 1966
Angkatan Bersendjata, 15 Jan 1966. Veterans' Legion denounces a rival delegation at the Havana Tricontinental of 'PKI/Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwani, SOBSI elements'; Siliwangi bans all writings of the PKI and its affiliates.
Trial begins in Jakarta: Dutch woman defends Untung
Trouw (14 Feb 1966): on the eve of the Untung and Njono trials in Jakarta, Dutch-born lawyer Trees Soenito-Heyligers, herself a PKI member, takes on the defence after others refused. Profiles her and her husband as 'non-extreme' communists with Leiden training. No mention of Gerwani; context for the 1965-66 Mahmillub t
Dutch woman sole defender
ANP report in Algemeen Dagblad (1966-02-15) on Dutch-born lawyer Trees Sunito-Heyligers, the only Indonesian jurist willing to defend PKI/SOBSI leader Njono before the special military tribunal. Her husband Sunito was jailed after the coup and she was dismissed from the state bank. No Gerwani mention; context for the 1
Not public: the Njono trial
Limburgsch Dagblad, 15 February 1966, p. 1: start of the closed Mahmillub trial of SOBSI leader Njono, who says he was told to inform Sukarno of a 'council of generals' but joined the coup instead. Students demanded a public trial; only selected journalists are admitted. Njono is defended by Dutch-born lawyer Trees Soe
After death-penalty demand: Njono's counsel pleads acquittal
Trouw (21 Feb 1966): after the prosecutor demanded the death penalty for SOBSI leader Njono, his lawyer Trees Soenito-Heyligers argues nothing proves a plot to overthrow the government; Njono gave an hour-long political defence. Lawyer complains of two days' preparation; PKI-linked Colonel Latief reportedly arrested. N