Soekarno vs Soeharto

Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia, is one of the Indonesian greatest heroes because of his movement for Indonesian’s independence. Beside Soekarno, Indonesia also have another hero. Soeharto, the second president of Indonesia, has a big influence on the development of Indonesia. Both of them are a successful leader in their era. However, they have a lot of differences. Soekarno and Soeharto have a different background, leadership pattern, and the way they lose their authority.

Soekarno and Soeharto have a different background. Soekarno is one of Indonesian intellectuals. Soekarno studied at HBS (Hoogere Burger School) and THS (Technische Hooge School, now called ITB). On the other hand, Soeharto has much experience in military, because he had joined with colonial military (KNIL) and also Japan military (PETA).  Moreover, in Soekarno era, Soekarno trust Soeharto to stabilize the situation when G-30S PKI happened.

Soekarno and Soeharto also have a different leadership pattern. Soekarno well-known as a wonderful orator because of his speeches that can persuade a lot of Indonesian people. Through his speeches, he successfully create the foundation of Indonesian nationalism. On the other hand, Soeharto like to vanish the differences in Indonesian people. He tried to make this heterogeneous people to homogeneous people, because he think that homogeneous people is more stable than heterogeneous people. With his strong military, Soeharto successfully to stabilize the social, economic, and politic situation for a long time.

In the end of their era, they also have different story. Soekarno lose his authority because he betrayed by his own right hand, Soeharto. Soeharto advantaged the Soekarno’s weakness in military to get Soekarno’s position. On the other hand, Soeharto’s dictator style for 32 years make Indonesian people realize that their aspiration right is limited by Soeharto . So, many people wanted Soeharto to step down from his position through many demonstrations that happened in several cities in Indonesia.

In conclusion, both Soekarno and Soeharto have their own style to develop Indonesia. However, they are great hero for Indonesia even they have their own weakness.