Are you looking for a unique and intriguing destination in Jakarta? Do you want to learn more about the history and politics of Indonesia? If yes, then you should visit Lubang Buaya, a historical site that witnessed one of the most pivotal events in the country’s history. Lubang Buaya, which means “crocodile hole” in Indonesian, is the place where seven army generals were killed and dumped in a well during a failed coup attempt in 1965. The incident triggered a massive anti-communist purge that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the rise of Suharto’s New Order regime.
Today, Lubang Buaya is a memorial park and museum that commemorates the victims and heroes of the tragedy. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Lubang Buaya, including its history, monument, museum, entry fee, timings, how to reach, where to stay, and what else to do near it.
History of Lubang Buaya
Lubang Buaya was originally a training ground for the Indonesian Air Force. On the night of September 30, 1965, a group of rebel soldiers, who called themselves the 30 September Movement (G30S), kidnapped and killed seven army generals and one lieutenant, who were loyal to President Sukarno. The rebels claimed that they were trying to prevent a coup by a right-wing faction within the army, known as the Council of Generals. The next morning, the bodies of the slain officers were brought to Lubang Buaya and thrown into a well, which was later covered with concrete. The rebels also seized control of the national radio station and announced the formation of a revolutionary council. However, their coup attempt was quickly crushed by the remaining loyalist forces, led by Major General Suharto, who later became the president of Indonesia.
The aftermath of the coup attempt was a bloody and brutal campaign of anti-communist repression, orchestrated by Suharto and his allies. They accused the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and its affiliated organizations of being behind the G30S plot, and launched a systematic purge of suspected communists and their sympathizers. The exact number of casualties is still unknown, but estimates range from 500,000 to 3 million people. Many of the victims were not even communists, but members of ethnic, religious, or political groups that were seen as threats or enemies by the army and its supporters. The purge also involved mass arrests, torture, propaganda, and censorship, which effectively eliminated any opposition to Suharto’s rule. Suharto established a new regime, known as the New Order, which lasted for more than three decades, until his resignation in 1998.
Lubang Buaya became a symbol of the anti-communist propaganda and the official version of the events of 1965. The site was turned into a memorial park and museum, which glorified the slain generals as national heroes and martyrs, and demonized the communists as traitors and murderers. The museum features a series of dioramas that depict the kidnapping, killing, and dumping of the officers, as well as the capture and execution of the rebels. The museum also displays various artifacts, such as weapons, uniforms, documents, and photographs, related to the incident. The monument consists of a large bronze statue of the seven generals and one lieutenant, standing on a pedestal, surrounded by flags and flowers. The well where the bodies were thrown is also preserved and marked with a plaque. Every year, on September 30, a ceremony is held at Lubang Buaya, where the president and other dignitaries pay their respects to the fallen heroes and reaffirm their commitment to the national ideology of Pancasila, which was allegedly threatened by the communists.
Monument and Museum of Lubang Buaya
If you are interested in learning more about the history and politics of Indonesia, you should visit the monument and museum of Lubang Buaya, which are located within the memorial park. The monument is a large bronze statue of the seven generals and one lieutenant, who were killed and dumped in a well by the rebel soldiers in 1965. The statue stands on a pedestal, surrounded by flags and flowers, and faces the direction of the well, which is also preserved and marked with a plaque. The monument is a tribute to the victims and heroes of the tragedy, who are considered as national martyrs and defenders of the state ideology of Pancasila. The museum is a building that houses a series of dioramas that depict the events of the coup attempt, from the kidnapping, killing, and dumping of the officers, to the capture and execution of the rebels. The museum also displays various artifacts, such as weapons, uniforms, documents, and photographs, related to the incident. The museum aims to educate the visitors about the history and consequences of the coup attempt, and to warn them about the dangers of communism and its threat to the nation.
The monument and museum of Lubang Buaya are not only historical sites, but also political symbols. They reflect the official version of the events of 1965, which was propagated by Suharto and his regime, and which is still taught in schools and media. The official version portrays the coup attempt as a communist conspiracy, and the anti-communist purge as a necessary and justified response. The official version also glorifies the slain officers as national heroes and martyrs, and demonizes the communists as traitors and murderers. The official version, however, has been challenged and criticized by many historians, activists, and survivors, who claim that it is based on lies, distortions, and propaganda. They argue that the coup attempt was not a communist plot, but a power struggle within the army, and that the anti-communist purge was a brutal and indiscriminate massacre of innocent people. They also demand that the victims and survivors of the purge be recognized and compensated, and that the perpetrators and collaborators be held accountable and brought to justice.
The monument and museum of Lubang Buaya are therefore controversial and contested sites, which represent different and conflicting narratives and memories of the past. They are also sites of struggle and resistance, where various groups and movements have staged protests, rallies, and performances, to challenge the official version and to demand truth and justice. The monument and museum of Lubang Buaya are thus not only places to visit, but also places to question, debate, and reflect. They are places where you can learn more about the history and politics of Indonesia, but also where you can form your own opinions and perspectives.
Entry Fee and Timings of Lubang Buaya
If you want to visit the monument and museum of Lubang Buaya, you should know the entry fee and timings of the site. The entry fee for Lubang Buaya is very affordable, only 5,000 IDR (about 0.35 USD) per person. The site is open every day, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except on national holidays, when it is closed. The best time to visit Lubang Buaya is in the morning or afternoon, when the weather is not too hot and the crowd is not too large. You should also avoid visiting Lubang Buaya on September 30, when the annual ceremony is held, unless you want to witness the official commemoration and the political speeches.
The entry fee and timings of Lubang Buaya are subject to change, so you should always check the latest information before you plan your visit. You can also contact the site management at +62 21 8459 1246, or visit their website at http://www.lubangbuaya.com, for more details and updates. You should also follow the rules and regulations of the site, such as wearing appropriate clothing, respecting the monuments and exhibits, and not littering or vandalizing the site. You should also be aware of the sensitive and controversial nature of the site, and be respectful of the different opinions and perspectives of the visitors and the staff.
How to Reach Lubang Buaya
Lubang Buaya is located in the eastern outskirts of Jakarta, about 25 km from the city center. There are several ways to reach Lubang Buaya, depending on your budget, time, and preference. Here are some of the most common transportation options for reaching Lubang Buaya:
By bus:
You can take the TransJakarta bus, which is the cheapest and most convenient option. You can board the bus from any of the bus stops in the city, and get off at the Halim Perdanakusuma bus stop, which is the closest to Lubang Buaya. The bus fare is 3,500 IDR (about 0.25 USD) per trip. From the bus stop, you can walk for about 15 minutes, or take a motorcycle taxi (ojek) for about 10,000 IDR (about 0.70 USD), to reach Lubang Buaya.
By car:
You can drive your own car, or rent a car, or hire a taxi, to reach Lubang Buaya. This option is more comfortable and flexible, but also more expensive and time-consuming, due to the traffic and tolls. The car ride from the city center to Lubang Buaya can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the traffic and the route. The toll fee is about 15,000 IDR (about 1.05 USD) one way. You can park your car at the parking lot near the entrance of Lubang Buaya, which charges 5,000 IDR (about 0.35 USD) per hour.
By train:
You can take the commuter train, which is the fastest and most reliable option. You can board the train from any of the train stations in the city, and get off at the Pondok Gede train station, which is the closest to Lubang Buaya. The train fare is 10,000 IDR (about 0.70 USD) per trip. From the train station, you can take a motorcycle taxi (ojek) for about 15,000 IDR (about 1.05 USD), to reach Lubang Buaya.
Where to Stay Near Lubang Buaya
If you are planning to visit Lubang Buaya, you may want to stay near the site, to save time and money on transportation. There are several hotel options for visitors who want to stay near Lubang Buaya, ranging from budget to luxury. Here are some of the most popular and recommended hotels near Lubang Buaya:
Millennium Hotel Jakarta:
This is a four-star hotel that is located about 4 km from Lubang Buaya, and about 15 km from the city center. The hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, with modern amenities, such as air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center, a spa, a swimming pool, and a business center. The hotel is ideal for both leisure and business travelers, who want to enjoy a relaxing and convenient stay near Lubang Buaya. The hotel also provides a free shuttle service to and from Lubang Buaya, as well as other nearby attractions, such as the National Monument, the Istiqlal Mosque, and the Jakarta History Museum. The hotel charges about 800,000 IDR (about 56 USD) per night for a standard room.
Grand Hyatt Jakarta:
This is a five-star hotel that is located about 6 km from Lubang Buaya, and about 20 km from the city center. The hotel offers luxurious and elegant rooms, with premium amenities, such as air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee maker, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center, a spa, a swimming pool, and a business center. The hotel is ideal for travelers who want to experience a high-end and sophisticated stay near Lubang Buaya. The hotel also provides a free shuttle service to and from Lubang Buaya, as well as other nearby attractions, such as the National Monument, the Istiqlal Mosque, and the Jakarta History Museum. The hotel charges about 1,500,000 IDR (about 105 USD) per night for a standard room.
Pondok Gede Residence:
This is a two-star hotel that is located about 2 km from Lubang Buaya, and about 10 km from the city center. The hotel offers simple and cozy rooms, with basic amenities, such as air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a garden, and a parking lot. The hotel is ideal for travelers who want to save money and stay close to Lubang Buaya. The hotel does not provide a shuttle service, but you can easily find a motorcycle taxi (ojek) or a public bus to reach Lubang Buaya and other nearby attractions. The hotel charges about 200,000 IDR (about 14 USD) per night for a standard room.
What Else to Do Near Lubang Buaya
If you have visited Lubang Buaya, and you still have some time and energy left, you may want to explore more of Jakarta, the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Jakarta is a vibrant and diverse metropolis, with a rich history and culture, and a plethora of attractions and activities for all kinds of travelers. Whether you are interested in history, art, religion, shopping, entertainment, or nature, you will find something to suit your taste and budget in Jakarta. Here are some of the most popular and recommended things to do near Lubang Buaya:
Visit the National Monument:
The National Monument, or Monas, is a 132-meter tall tower that stands in the center of Merdeka Square, the largest public square in the world. The monument is a symbol of Indonesia’s independence and national pride, and it houses a museum that showcases the history and achievements of the country. You can also take an elevator to the top of the monument, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding areas. The monument is open every day, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, except on Mondays, when it is closed. The entry fee is 15,000 IDR (about 1.05 USD) per person.
Explore the Istiqlal Mosque:
The Istiqlal Mosque, or Masjid Istiqlal, is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, and the national mosque of Indonesia. The mosque can accommodate up to 200,000 worshippers, and it features a stunning architecture and design, with a dome, a minaret, a courtyard, and a fountain. The mosque is also a symbol of religious tolerance and harmony, as it is located across the street from the Jakarta Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church. The mosque is open every day, from 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM, except on Fridays, when it is closed for prayers. The entry is free, but you need to dress modestly and follow the etiquette of the mosque.
Discover the Jakarta History Museum:
The Jakarta History Museum, or Museum Sejarah Jakarta, is a museum that displays the history and culture of Jakarta, from the prehistoric times to the present day. The museum is housed in a former city hall, which was built by the Dutch colonialists in the 18th century. The museum exhibits various artifacts, such as maps, paintings, weapons, furniture, ceramics, etc., that illustrate the development and transformation of Jakarta over the centuries. The museum also has a dungeon, a watchtower, and a cannon, which are remnants of the colonial era. The museum is open every day, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, except on Mondays, when it is closed. The entry fee is 5,000 IDR (about 0.35 USD) per person.
These are some of the best things to do near Lubang Buaya, which will give you a glimpse of the history and culture of Jakarta. You can also find many other attractions and activities in Jakarta, such as the Jakarta Old Town, the National Museum, the Ragunan Zoo, the Ancol Dreamland, the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, and many more. You can also enjoy the nightlife, the shopping, the cuisine, and the entertainment of Jakarta, which are among the best in the region. Jakarta is a city that never sleeps, and it will always surprise and delight you with its diversity and dynamism.
Lubang Buaya is a unique and intriguing destination in Jakarta, that will appeal to travelers who are interested in learning more about the history and politics of Indonesia. Lubang Buaya is also a convenient and affordable destination, that is easy to reach and visit, and that offers a variety of hotel options for visitors who want to stay near the site. Lubang Buaya is also a gateway to explore more of Jakarta, the capital and largest city of Indonesia, which has a plethora of attractions and activities for all kinds of travelers. Whether you are looking for history, art, religion, shopping, entertainment, or nature, you will find something to suit your taste and budget in Jakarta.
We hope that this article has given you some useful and interesting information about Lubang Buaya, and that it has inspired you to visit this historical site in Jakarta. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to share them with us.
We would love to hear from you and help you plan your trip to Lubang Buaya. Thank you for reading, and happy travels!