Trisakti Shootings

Date: May 12, 1998 • Location: Kota Administrasi Jakarta Barat, Indonesia

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1998.

Four students were shot and killed by Indonesian soldiers at Trisakti University in Jakarta, which led to widespread riots and the resignation of President Suharto nine days later.

The Trisakti shootings, also known as the Trisakti tragedy, took place at Trisakti University, Jakarta, Indonesia, on 12 May 1998. At a demonstration demanding President Suharto's resignation, Indonesian Army soldiers opened fire on unarmed protestors. Four students, Elang Mulia Lesmana, Heri Hertanto, Hafidin Royan, and Hendriawan Sie, were killed and dozens more were injured. The shootings triggered a riot and nationwide revolutionary wave, leading to Suharto's resignation later the same month.