Megawati: Historical Justice Cannot Stop at Revocation of MPRS Decree 33/1967
Indonesia’s fifth president and chairwoman of the PDI-P, Megawati Soekarnoputri, has stressed that the pursuit of historical justice for the nation must not stop merely at the political decision to revoke MPRS Decree Number 33 of 1967.
Megawati made the remarks while serving as ceremony inspector at the raising of the red-and-white flag to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence at the At-Taufiq Mosque field, PDI-P Party School, Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Monday, 17 August 2026.
She called on all elements of the nation to have the courage to look at history honestly, including acknowledging the political suffering endured by Indonesia’s founding father Soekarno during the New Order era.
“Although MPRS Decree Number 33 of 1967 concerning the revocation of governmental authority from President Soekarno has been annulled, for me the historical question does not end with the revocation of a decree. What is more important is the conscience of history itself,” Megawati said in her address on Monday.
She warned that a nation which does not dare to confront its own history will be vulnerable to being tossed about by external interests and will become a diminished nation.
In her speech, Megawati laid out the dark record of Soekarno’s political journey, noting that he spent a total of around 18 years in political isolation, prison, and exile.
The breakdown includes 12 years in prison and exile during the Dutch colonial period, 2 years in exile during the physical revolution, and 4 years under house arrest without any judicial process during the New Order era.
“Just imagine, Soekarno was the proclaimer of independence, then suddenly during the New Order era, during Mr Harto’s time, because Mr Harto wanted to become president, Soekarno was subjected to a form of detention. I myself do not even know what it was called. He was simply placed first at Bogor Palace, then at Batu Tulis, then at Wisma Yaso. Without any judicial process,” she said.
Megawati also spoke of the family’s pain, having for decades never received any document or single official piece of paper regarding the legal status of Soekarno’s detention.
Nevertheless, she highlighted the contrast between his treatment at home and the respect he receives internationally, where Soekarno’s name and statues are honoured in various countries. “Next month I have been asked to go to Uzbekistan to inaugurate a statue of Soekarno there. Why do we here instead disparage him?” she said.
Megawati stressed that her account was not intended to stir up hatred or reopen old wounds, but rather as a matter of conscience and as historical education for the younger generation.
“I speak not only because I am Soekarno’s child. I speak as a citizen of the nation, I speak as a citizen of Indonesia. Because Soekarno does not belong only to his family; Soekarno is part of the history of the Indonesian nation and the world,” Megawati said.
Reflecting on the family’s 57-year struggle until MPRS Decree Number 33 of 1967 was finally revoked, Megawati conveyed a moral message about steadfastness in upholding the truth.
“That event taught me one thing: that truth may be delayed, but truth will never lose its way, and truth will surely prevail!” she asserted.
She also urged the next generation not to inherit hatred, but likewise not to allow historical dishonesty to continue.
According to her, the fundamental values of Soekarno’s struggle, including the Trisakti doctrine, Pancasila, and the mastery of science and technology for national sovereignty, must continue to be kept alive to ensure Indonesia endures forever.