| Country: | Indonesia |
| Details of Formation: | The PDI-P is Megawati Sukarnoputi's party. This group is the militia wing of the party. The origin date of 20 October 1999 reflects Megawati's accession to the Vice-presidency. In 2001 she became President. According to sources, the Satgas PDI-P was formed after the party’s election success in 1999 to compete with the already existing militia wings of other parties. |
| Details of Termination: | Megawati lost the Presidency on 20 October 2004. The militia wing was banned but apparently revived later. |
| Purpose: | The group had tasks related to internal security and was intended to provide security for the Party Congress and during rallies as well as helping the police to maintain public order at large gatherings and to provide a show of force at demonstrations and campaigns. The militia served as a private army for its party and a counterbalance in the competition for resources with other youth organisations. |
| Organisation: | As the name suggests, the militia was strongly linked to the PDI party. It cooperated with the police in fulfilling its duties. However, the party’s chairman and Vice President Megawati had difficulties controlling illegal actions of members of the group. |
| Weapons and Training: | The group apparently received some military training from former members of the military. Members of the PGM were armed with knives. |
| Size: | -- |
| Reason for Membership: | Blind loyalty to the group’s leader Megawati in the broader frame of a militaristic cult is reported as a strong component of the group, therefore political and ideological reasons may have played into the decision to become a member. The group was supposedly also involved in thuggery, so material benefits might also have played a role as well. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The use of violence by the group intimidated civilians. |
| Other Information: | -- |
| References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |