Indian Fortune Teller Reveals Indonesia's Fate, Unbelievably Comes True
Fortune telling often captivates people in their life’s journey. Some regard it as mere superstition, while others see it as a guide to the future, including who might lead a nation.
Intriguingly, history records an Indian fortune teller who reportedly predicted the future leader of Indonesia. This prophecy was delivered directly to Siti Hartinah, wife of Major General Soeharto, when her husband was still serving as an army officer. Over time, the prediction is said to have come true.
The tale began in 1965, when Siti Hartinah received a visit from a gemstone seller at her home on Jalan Agus Salim in Jakarta. The man appeared to be of Indian descent and was estimated to be around fifty years old. Hartinah courteously invited him to sit, unaware that this brief encounter would later become a fascinating story.
“After sitting down, the man offered his wares while opening a box containing colourful gemstones,” Hartinah recounted in Siti Hartinah Soeharto: Ibu Utama Indonesia (1992).
Initially, Hartinah showed no interest and politely asked the man to leave. However, he then revealed that he was not just a gemstone seller but also a fortune teller. Hearing this piqued Hartinah’s curiosity, and she agreed to listen, though she did not take it seriously.
“Just to humour myself, I agreed,” Hartinah revealed.
The fortune teller then performed a ritual before recounting the life of the homeowner. Hartinah was astonished because the man accurately guessed her family’s past, despite having just met her. The woman, born on 23 August 1923, continued to listen until the fortune teller said:
“Madam, your husband will stand as tall and sit as low as the current President (i.e., Soekarno),” the fortune teller revealed.
Hearing this, Hartinah did not immediately believe it. At the time, Soeharto was merely an army soldier, making the chance of becoming president seem very slim. Moreover, many other figures were deemed more suitable. Therefore, Hartinah did not dwell on the prophecy and left the future to the will of Allah SWT.
Afterwards, the fortune teller requested payment of Rp40,000, which surprised Hartinah as it was a considerable sum. Nevertheless, to avoid argument, she still gave him the money.
Several years later, the fortune teller’s words are said to have become reality. The chaotic political situation following the 30 September Movement paved the way for Soeharto to rise to the pinnacle of leadership. In 1968, Soeharto officially became Indonesia’s second President.
After serving as First Lady, the woman affectionately known as Tien admitted she never met the Indian fortune teller again. Even after years of Soeharto leading Indonesia, the fortune teller never reappeared.