Dipa Nusantara Aidit

Born July 30, 1923; died Nov. 22 [?], 1965. Active in the workers’ and communist movement of Indonesia. Born on the island of Sumatra into the family of a plantation worker; graduated from a commercial school.

Aidit began his political activity in progressive youth organizations and trade unions. From 1943 he was a member of the Communist Party of Indonesia (CPI). In 1945 he was arrested by the Japanese and then by the British and Dutch military authorities for his active participation in the independence struggle. After Indonesia gained independence in 1945, Aidit was among the leaders of one of the progressive youth organizations. In 1947 he was selected a member of the Central Committee (CC), and in 1948 he became a member of the Politburo of the CC. From 1951 to 1954 he was secretary and, during 1954–59, general secretary of the CC of the CPI. In September 1959, when the post of general secretary was eliminated, he became chairman of the CC of the CPI. Aidit was a member of the Supreme Advisory Council (from 1959), vice-president of the Provisional People’s Consultative Congress (from 1960), vice-president of the National Front of Indonesia (from 1961), and minister without portfolio (from 1962). In November 1965 Aidit fell victim to the terror unleashed by reactionary forces against the CPI in connection with the “events of September 30.”