Megawati on the Kudatuli Tragedy: I Have Never Forgotten!

PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has asserted that she has never forgotten the Kudatuli (27 July) tragedy, a bloody incident that occurred on 27 July 1996. She made the statement ahead of the inauguration of the Kudatuli Monument at the PDIP Central Executive Board office in Central Jakarta on Monday, 27 July 2026. “Regarding the date 27 July 1996, I can never forget it,” said Megawati. She invited the public to remember the fighters buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, noting that many of those interred there remain unnamed. “Go to the Heroes Cemetery, there are many gravestones scattered there without names. What does that mean? They fought with sincerity,” she said. The fifth President of Indonesia then addressed the younger generation, stating that what they experience today is the result of the struggles of the nation’s past fighters. “Then after independence until now, next month we will celebrate 17 August 2026. Will you not realise that you can be like this because of what? The blood of the fighters, the blood of young people who at that time were just like you who are here now. What do you want to become? Aren’t you ashamed?” she expressed. Furthermore, Megawati reminded all law enforcement officers, both the military and the police, to always defend the people. She stressed that the Kudatuli tragedy must not be repeated in the future. “Hey TNI, hey police, where do you come from? You are also children of the people who have been given the opportunity to do what? To defend your people! Heed my words! Do not let things like what happened 30 years ago happen again! My heart is pained, why was only power thought of at that time? Where is your love for the people?” concluded Megawati.