Salina Christmas

In Indonesian, “Sayap Kelima”. The Indonesian Communist Party’s paramilitary force of armed peasants and workers, an adjunct to the four branches of the regular armed forces of Indonesia. The Fifth Wing strengthened the influence of the party within the Indonesian military, to the disapproval of the ranks and files within the military itself. The Fifth Wing was also crucial in supporting the guerrilla attacks during the Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation which took place between 1963 and 1966. They collaborated with members of the Malayan Communist Party. When the Chinese premier Zhou Enlai offered to arm The Fifth Wing, many in the Indonesian National Army were alarmed. A few high-ranking officers including General Abdul Haris Nasution and Major General Suharto were opposed to the idea.