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KKO - Korps Komando Angkatan Laut
Indonesian Marine Corps
component part of the Indonesia Navy Force
established on 15 November 1945
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ALRI -
Angkatan Laut Indonesia
Indonesian Navy
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Current name:
Korps Marinir TNI AL
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Part of the Indonesian
Armed Forces
Angkatan Bersenjata Indonesia - ABRI
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THE TRAGIC END OF A BRILLIANT
CAREER
The story of the sudden death of an Indonesian
officer,
a respected military leader, dedicated to country,
military discipline and family.
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SUMMARY
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Update August 7, 2011
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In the early morning of 6 January 1971 Lt
General KKO Hartono was found dead
at his home in Tebet, Jakarta. Officially it was declared a suicide, but was it?
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MISSING DEATH CERTIFICATE
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There are many unanswered questions surrounding his death,
questions that his widow, Grace Hartono, would like to be answered.
Was it suicide or murder?
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He was a military leader, loving husband and father
with no indications of suicide plans,
a fighter disposed to confront rather than evade problems
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Where is the death certificate/ autopsy report?
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Grace is convinced that her husband did not commit suicide.
" Apparently he knew something that should not be known", she said.
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Ali Sadikin
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Rachmat Sumengkar
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Prominent Marine officers such as Lt General KKO Ali Sadikin (ex Governor of DKI Jakarta) and
Laksamana Madya Rachmat Sumengkar, ex Deputy of the ALRI (Indonesian Navy) have stated that
" available data do not support the assertion that
Hartono has committed suicide".
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Kahpi Suriadiredja
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Lt General (Ret.) Kahpi Suriadiredja (KKO Commander 1977-1983)
told Grace that he was informed that Hartono was murdered.
He confirmed this to Editor in a meeting at his home January 2007 without
providing details.
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Major General (Marines) Alfan Baharudin
and Grace Hartono
Jakarta, 1 August 2011
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No death certificate nor autopsy report available to confirm or contradict
Grace Hartono (accompanied by Editor and husband) told Major General (Marines) Alfan Baharudin that to date
she has
not received copy of her husband's death certificate and autopsy report from the Army Hospital.
In reference to the statement that her husband has committed suicide, Grace asserts that these certificates
are required
to determine cause of death, to confirm or contradict the statement of suicide.
She is convinced that these certificates will confirm that her husband did not commit suicide and may help remove
this stigma from his military record.
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Based on research and informaton received
from well-informed sources,
Editor has developed the following analysis:
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The wellknown statement:
Hitam kata Bung Karno, Hitam kata KKO
Putih kata Bung Karno, Putih kata KKO
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was considered an insult, an act of disloyalty, to President Suharto.and the Army.
He was in the possession of facts/information that might be harmful to the Army
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The KKO was a well-trained, respected and disciplined force, loyal to Hartono.
After Hartono's death the Marine Corps was reduced to 5,000 personnel from 20,000.
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(Currently, according to Major General Marines Alfan Baharudin personnel is back to 20,000.)
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Jakarta visit end December 1970 - first week January 1971
In Jakarta he had several meetings with top level officials of the Foreign Ministry,
Navy, BAKIN (Intelligence Board) and Ministry of Defense (Hankam).
He attended the 1971 New Years reception of President Suharto.
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His itinerary in Jakarta included highlevel visits to
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Foreign Minister Adam Malik
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Naval Headquarters, Admiral Sudomo, Vice Admiral Subono
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General Ali Murtopo - Presidential Personal Assistant
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Maj General Sutopo Juwono, BAKIN - State Intelligence Agency
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Military Police Directorate
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Lt General Sumitro Wapangkopkamtib - Deputy Chief Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order
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Maj General Darjatmo Hankam -Ministry of Defense
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Maj General Yoga Sugama, BAKIN - State Intelligence Agency
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General Panggabean, Pangkopkamtib - Operational Command for the Restoration of Security and Order
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President Suharto, 4 January at his residence in Jln Cendana.
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KKO (Marine Corps) Headquarters
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During this Jakarta visit Hartono was apparently advised that he could face a courtmartial and the suggestion
may have
been made that to prevent facing such a disgrace, he better commit suicide.
Hartono apparently ignored this and the military then seems to have taken matters into their own hands.
Two members of the Military Police visited him on the eve before his return to his ambassadorial post in North
Korea.
They seem to have attempted to convince him to commit suicide.
He refused to do so, a struggle ensued and when they tried to shoot him he must have turned his head so that he
was
shot from behind. Informed sources state that he was shot in the lower part of the back of his head.
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For now this is just an analysis based on investigative research.
Authentic autopsy report and death certificate
are crucial to determine the truth about the suicide claim.
Why have these documents not been made available???
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He was taken to RSPAD, the Central Army Hospital, not to the Navy Hospital as could have been expected.
Family members waiting at the hospital were not allowed to see him until after preparations for burial were complete.
The absence of a death certificate caused financial hardship due to inability to access bank accounts receive
a pension, etc. His home was searched by military police. His briefcase, documents and other personal things were
confiscated and never returned. With the loss of documents Grace was unable to prove that the house they occupied
was partially (at least half ) paid off and ultimately she was forced to vacate the house.
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In reference to the above, Editor asked Admiral (Ret.) Sudomo the following question:
"If the late Lt General (Marines) Hartono was to be brought to court/court martialed,
what would have been the accusation?"
In his written reply Admiral's Sudomo emphasized that there had been no plans for a court martial.
He stated that
....." Hartono's statement had caused unrest and controversies
in the nation.
Apparently feeling guilty of causing such nationwide unrest and controversy he committed suicide."
Although he committed suicide President Suharto approved his burial at the National Heroes Cemetery
because he was a recipient of the distinguished " Bintang Gerilya" medal,
a hero of the independence war against the Dutch.
At the time of the occurrence, Admiral Sudomo was Navy Chief of Staff.
He acted as Inspector General during the burial ceremony at Kalibata.
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Admiral (Ret) Sudomo's written response
Admiral (Ret.) Sudomo issued the above letter to Editor on July 11, 2011
confirming that Hartono's death was by suicide.
Please note that under ad 4 the name should read Suharto (not Sukarno)
as verified - Editor
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THE STORY
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Heroes Cemetry Kalibata
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Grace Hartono:
Hartono did not commit suicide.
"I thank the KKO for their efforts to
uphold his name."
It is a step towards the
main objective:
"Remove the false accusation that
he committed suicide.
Clear this stigma from his name."
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Grace Hartono
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In their program special "Lacak( Investigate)" TRANS TV in Jakarta on 13 September
2004 aired a story
on the subject, raising questions and doubts regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of
KKO Lt General Hartono in Jakarta on 6 January 1971, officially proclaimed a suicide.
He was found with a shot to the back of his head. They interviewed 2 high ranking
Navy and Marine officers with opposite viewpoints.
No official death certificate has been issued to date.
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Then Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Sudomo, insists it was suicide.
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Then Jakarta Governor Lt General KKO Ali Sadikin states to have information that Hartono was murdered.
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Then Minister of Foreign Affairs Adam Malik (not in the show) diplomatically stated that
"he died of a brain hemorrhage" ( which of course is not unusual in the
case of a shot in the head - ed.).
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His wife Grace expressed
her opinion that "apparently he knew something that should not be known".
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Ret. Lt General KKO Hartono was Indonesian
Ambassador for North Korea
at the time of his death in Jakarta, 6 January 1971
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Below are audio recordings of statements of wife Grace Hartono,
Ret. Navy Admiral Sudomo and Ret. Lt General KKO Ali Sadikin
on the Trans TV show "Lacak 13 September 2004
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(Ret.) Navy Admiral
Sudomo
"He committed suicide"
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Grace Hartono
"I am convinced he
did not commit suicide"
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(Ret.) Lt
General (KKO)
Ali Sadikin
"I was told that he was murdered"
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Navy Chief of Staff 1969-1971
Deputy Minister of Defense/Chief
Defense & Security Command
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" Apparently he knew something
that should not be known"
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Governor DKI Jakarta Raya
1966-1977
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Listen to the Report
of the
Trans TV Show "Lacak"
09/13/2004
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Foreign Minister Adam Mailik
"He died from a brain hemorrhage"
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(Lacak - Investigate)
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A military leader's promise
" I hereby promise to uphold the principles of military leadership ..."
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Audio Source: Courtesy Trans TV Show "Lacak"
September 13, 2004
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