Amir Machmud

General (Ret.) Amir Machmud (21 February 1923 – 21 April 1995) was an Indonesian military general who was an eyewitness to the signing of the Supersemar document transferring power from President Sukarno to General Suharto.

Amir Machmud was born on 21 February 1923 in Cimahi, West Java.

He was the second of five siblings and his father worked for a public company under the Dutch Colonial Government.

He was educated at the "Ardjoena" Hollandsch-Inlandsche School in Bandung, graduating in 1938.

He continued his education at a technical school for a further two years, then in 1941 he took a topography course.

In 1942, the Dutch Colonial Government was defeated by the Japanese Imperial Army and Indonesia came under the occupation of the Japanese Empire.

By 1943, with the tide of the war beginning to turn against them, the Japanese established Defenders of the Homeland (PETA), an auxiliary force made up of Indonesians designed to bolster the number of troops for the Japanese and assist them in fighting a possible Allied invasion of Java.

Amir Machmud joined PETA in 1943 remained a member until 1945.

On 17 August 1945, nationalist leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesia's Independence.

Days later, the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) announced the establishment of the People's Security Body (BKR).

were formed and Amir Machmud headed a unit in Lembang, West Java.

In 1946, after the People's Security Army (TKR) had been established, the Lembang BKR was integrated into the Siliwangi Division, a military regional command responsible for the security of West Java.

Amir Machmud was then transferred to North Bandung, where he led his troops in battles against British troops and Dutch troops, who were eager to retain their colonial empire.

The Siliwangi Division was then forced to leave West Java in 1948 after the signing of the Renville Agreement.

Under this agreement, the Indonesian government was forced to recognize territories which had been taken under Dutch Control and this included West Java.

Under the command of Colonel Abdul Haris Nasution, the division was relocated to Central Java.

During the same year, Amir Machmud would join his troops in a crackdown on the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) at Madiun.

In 1949, with the Dutch beginning to withdraw from Indonesia, Amir Machmud and his troops returned to West Java.

There, he would be involved in skirmishes against the Darul Islam movement, a rebel group who wanted to establish a theocratic Indonesia under the religion of Islam.

In 1950, Amir Machmud was also involved in a crackdown against the "Just Ruler" Legion (APRA), a military group which entered Bandung and started targeting TNI soldiers.

After the end of the war of independence, the military was reorganized into seven "Territories and Armies" (Teritorium dan Tentara).

Amir Machmud remained with the Siliwangi T&T until 1960, ending his time in command of troops in Bandung.

He studied at the Army Staff College (Seskoad) Here, he learned about politics and economics, important subjects for a soldier in an army increasingly involved in the running of the Government.

He also became acquainted with Suharto during his time at Seskoad.

Once he had completed his Seskoad course, Amir Machmud was appointed Caduad Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army General reserve (Caduad), who would go on to become Kostrad, which was a strategic force which was designed to be on stand by at all times so that it could easily be summoned during any national emergency.

Caduad was commanded by Suharto.

In 1962, President Sukarno was determined that Indonesia would occupy Western New Guinea and formed a war command for the liberation of Western New Guinea.

For this operation, Suharto was appointed Field Commander and once again, he showed his trust in Amir Machmud by appointing him to the position of Head of the Operational Staff.

However, after some minor military incursions, the Netherlands yielded under pressure of the United States and signed the New York Agreement to transfer Western New Guinea to Indonesia, provided a plebiscite would be held in which Western New Guinea could vote for independence.

Amir Machmud would now have his first stint as a Regional Commander.

On 5 September 1962, he was appointed Commander of KODAM X/Lambung Mangkurat, which was responsible for the security of South Kalimantan.

He held the post until 1965.

On 1 October 1965 the 30 September Movement made a coup attempt in Jakarta.

The movement announced the formation of a Revolutionary Council which included Amir Machmud as a member.

Like many other anti-Communist Generals who were on the list, he was quick to deny membership.

The day would finish with Suharto taking back control of the situation in Jakarta and the PKI being accused of being behind the coup attempt.

In December 1965, Amir Machmud was appointed Commander of KODAM V/Jaya and he was now responsible for the security of Jakarta and its surrounding areas.

Amir Machmud's appointment came at a crucial point in Indonesian history and it was during his appointment that Suharto was beginning to gather political support and momentum to mount a challenge to Sukarno.

Amir Machmud, like most of his Army colleagues threw their support behind Suharto.

At the beginning of 1966, Sukarno's popularity declined enough for people to openly oppose him via the means of protests.