Sat, 25 Aug 2001

Ancient city ponders its future sultan

Text and photo by Tarko Sudiarno

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Speculation about who will rule the Yogyakarta Palace after the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, is now hot a topic among local residents of Yogyakarta, as the sovereign has no son, only daughters.

People are wondering whether his eldest daughter Gusti Raden Ajeng (GRAj) Nurmalitasari, or Gusti Sari as she is commonly known, will replace her father.

"It depends on Ngarsa Dalem (the Sultan) and the people. If it's acceptable for them to have a female leader at the palace, why not?" Sari answered calmly.

The Sultan, who is also governor of the special territory of Yogyakarta, said his replacement depended on the palace's large family and members of the community.

"Whether the next sultan will be one of my own heirs or from outside (my immediate family) is not a problem for me," the Sultan stressed.

Although he has no son, the Sultan said that he had many brothers from the hereditary line of Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. "One of them, or one of their sons, could assume the throne," he said.

According to Javanese expert Suryanto Sastroatmojo, the direct heir of a ruling sultan does not necessarily have to assume the sovereignty of the Yogyakarta Palace. Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI, for instance, was the brother of Sultan Hamengkubuwono V.

"Therefore, it is quite possible that one of the Sultan's brothers could replace him to occupy the next throne," Suryanto said.

So far, Sari said, it had always been the eldest son of the ruling sultan, or his brothers, who had been cultivated to take the throne.

However, in line with the progression of modern society, it may be necessary in the future for a woman to become the palace's ruler, she added.

"If Bapak (Father) does want me to take the throne and considers me capable of doing so, I cannot refuse it can I?" Sari said, adding that personally, she preferred being an ordinary person, who could freely go anywhere she liked.

Being a princess, for Sari, has sometimes restricted her activities. She said that she always became the center of attention, wherever she went, either on official or unofficial trips. Constantly being in the spotlight has caused considerable discomfort.

"I prefer being treated as an ordinary person. Special treatment only makes me feel uncomfortable," said the graduate of Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

Born on Feb. 24, 1972, Sari soon became aware of her responsibilities as the Sultan's eldest daughter. She learnt about traditional culture and customs that her ancestors used to perform in the community.

"Being the daughter of the Sultan is definitely not an easy task. I have to maintain the great name of the family," Sari said.

Sari didn't appear to be exaggerating. Her worlds inside and outside the palace are indeed completely different. Moreover, she undertook most of her formal education abroad, in Singapore, the United States and Australia, making the context of her situation more complicated.

Yet, Sari said that, currently, her role was less complicated and could be managed comfortably.

It is easy to recognize the contrasting nature of Sari's life. On the night of every Kliwon day of the Javanese five-day week, she has to wear a traditional costume to perform the Caos Dhahar ritual offering to the palace's sacred weapons and ancestors. Meanwhile, on another day, one might spot her casually walking around wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

Her father and mother, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Hemas, have often asked Sari, as the eldest daughter, to either accompany or represent them at ceremonial events.

"This is probably the method they have used to educate me about socializing. They often let me go to social events on my own or, lately, to business functions," Sari said. Sari, who is still unmarried, is active in the Anak Bangsa foundation and is currently planning an exhibition of silkworm products to be held in Japan later this month.