in february 1966, sukarno promoted suharto to lieutenant-general (and to full general in july 1966). the killing of a student demonstrator and sukarno's order for the disbandment of kami in february 1966 further galvanised public opinion against the president. on 11 march 1966, the appearance of unidentified troops around merdeka palace during a cabinet meeting (which suharto had not attended) forced sukarno to flee to bogor palace (60 km away) by helicopter. three pro-suharto generals, major-general basuki rahmat, brigadier-general m jusuf, and brigadier-general amirmachmud went to bogor to meet sukarno. there, they persuaded and secured a presidential decree from sukarno (see "supersemar") that gave suharto authority to take any action necessary to maintain security.