Kopkamtib was established on 10 October 1965, ten days after the 30 September Movement killed six senior army generals in a failed coup attempt.
By 1968 the PKI was no longer seen as a credible threat to military power, Kopkamtib's role as the New Order's main security apparatus remained, as did its surveillance of citizens.
By employing trusted military personnel to carry out tasks with political objectives in a broad and extraordinary sense, the Kopkamtib is at the core of the Indonesian government during a period of permanent martial law.
The structure in this law which later inspired the birth of Keppress No.47 / 1978 concerning the Kopkamtib organization which had a Laksusda at the Kodam and Laksuswil at the Kowilhan level until September 1988 was replaced by Bakorstanas.
The succeeding organisation was the Coordinating Body for the Assistance of Improving National Stability (Indonesian: Badan Koordinasi Bantuan Pemantapan Stabilitas Nasional, Bakorstanas) which lasted until March 2000, when it was dismantled by the government of the Reform era.
Bakorstanas aimed to restore, maintain and enhance national stability, as well provide advice and was headed by the ABRI Commander who reported directly to the president.