Megawati Discusses Bung Karno's MPRS Decree: I Have Been Waiting for 56 Years
The Chairperson of PDI Perjuangan, Megawati Soekarnoputri, expressed her appreciation for the revocation of MPRS Decree (TAP MPRS) Number XXXIII/MPRS/1967, which once stripped the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, or Bung Karno, of his authority. This statement was made by Megawati while opening the fine arts exhibition ‘Mata Hati Soekarno’ (The Heart’s Eye of Soekarno) at Le Gareca Space, Bantul, Yogyakarta, on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
The fifth President of Indonesia touched upon the long historical burden carried by Bung Karno’s family for decades due to the decree. According to her, the MPRS decree was issued without any clear legal verification process against Bung Karno. Megawati admitted she was still shocked when re-reading the contents of the decree, noting that the official revocation marks the end of a long and exhausting wait. For 56 years, she stated, Bung Karno’s legal status was left hanging without ever being tested through a court process.
“Imagine, I have been waiting for 56 years; he was never processed to determine whether he had a sentence or not. No. It is hard to believe the people would not remember him; it is too much,” said Megawati. The daughter of Bung Karno also recalled the sacrifices made by the Proclamator in fighting for Indonesia’s independence, noting that Bung Karno endured imprisonment and colonial exile for a total of 22 years for the sake of the nation’s freedom.
Megawati’s remarks were delivered in the reflective atmosphere of the ‘Mata Hati Soekarno’ exhibition, held to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Bung Karno’s birth. The exhibition features works from 47 artists across generations attempting to re-examine the history, thoughts, and national legacy of Bung Karno through various fine art mediums. Several national and regional figures attended the opening, including Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Hemas, PDI Perjuangan Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto, Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno, Mahfud MD, Ganjar Pranowo, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo, and Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih. The exhibition is intended to serve as a space for public reflection, viewing Bung Karno not merely as a historical figure, but as a source of cultural inspiration and national spirit for Indonesia’s younger generation.