28 Years Ago Soeharto Resigned After Protests Lasted 10 Days

Twenty-eight years ago, on 21 May 1998, Indonesia’s second president, Soeharto, announced his resignation from office. In his resignation speech, Soeharto said the step to resign as president was based on the national situation and the people’s aspirations to carry out reforms in all aspects of national life. Soeharto initially responded to the protests with plans to form the Reform Committee and to reshape the Development Cabinet VII. “Nevertheless, the reality to date shows that the reform committee could not be realized due to insufficient response to the plan to form the committee,” he said in his speech. He then read the provisions of Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution which states: If the President dies, resigns, or is unable to perform his duties during his term, he shall be replaced by the Vice President until the end of his term. Soeharto also took into account the views of the DPR and its faction leaders. “I have decided to state my resignation from the office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, effective from the day I read this statement today, Thursday 21 May 1998,” he said. This event began on 12 May, ten days before Soeharto announced his resignation from office. According to Kompaspedia.kompas.id, the first day began on 12 May 1998, security forces shot dead Trisakti University students who were taking part in a peaceful demonstration. Four students lost their lives, they were Elang Mulia Lesmana, Heri Hertanto, Hafidin Royan, Alan Mulyadi, Hendriawan Sie.