Abstract
Many political policies of Soekarno-era Indonesia were celebrated in popular song. By far the most referenced policy was Indonesia’s Confrontation with Malaysia. This article examines the contents of many of those songs and discusses the reasons for their creation and popularity. At the time, the creation of an ‘Indonesian identity’ based on cultural practices was a matter considered of the utmost importance by Soekarno and his left-wing supporters. This led to frequent public statements against the perils of Western ‘cultural imperialism’, especially through rock and roll. It is argued, however, that the Left by no means had a monopoly on the propagation of national pride. The Left supported Confrontation, but so did the majority of the Indonesian public; many also liked Western-influenced music and a number of Confrontation songs are not so dissimilar to the popular Western music of the day. Through an examination of some of these songs, referencing popular culture theorists and Indonesian popular culture specialists (both in the fields of music and other areas), it is shown how popular music reflected what was happening in the political arena, and also how songwriters and performers endeavoured to use music to articulate their own social meaning.
Highlights
In 1965, Australian writer Maslyn Williams spent several months in Indonesia.1 Wherever he travelled he noted ‘an obsessive condemnation of Malaysia’
Many Soekarno-era policies were referenced in the popular songs of the day, but Confrontation with Malaysia was the most approved policy in terms of the number of songs written and recorded
This was the last straw for Soekarno, who declared that Indonesia would ganyang Malaysia
Summary
In 1965, Australian writer Maslyn Williams spent several months in Indonesia. Wherever he travelled he noted ‘an obsessive condemnation of Malaysia’. Many Soekarno-era policies were referenced in the popular songs of the day, but Confrontation with Malaysia was the most approved policy in terms of the number of songs written and recorded. In an effort to diffuse the situation it was decided that a United Nations’ inquiry would be held to determine the opinion of the people of the northern Borneo territories to the federation, but on 29 August, before the United Nations’ mission had been completed, Tengku Abdul Rahman announced that Malaysia would be formed on 16 September 1963 This was the last straw for Soekarno, who declared that Indonesia would ganyang Malaysia.. Sani) and in the song Bersuka ria (Be cheerful), recorded by Orkes Irama, with songwriting credited to Soekarno himself. As a final example, there is Rossy’s song Lima azimatku (My five talismans; written by Wedhasmara), which concerns the virtues of the Panca Azimat Revolusi and the overriding need to destroy NEKOLIM in order to save the country
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