 Moerdani also improved cooperation between the Armed Forces of ASEAN countries.Moerdani's Catholic background came to the forefront in 1984 when together with KODAM V/Jaya Commander, Try Sutrisno, he ordered a crackdown on Islamist protesters at Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, which resulted in deaths.Moerdani claimed the protesters had been provoked and could not be controlled peacefully, so he ordered the crackdown.