Online Petition on Surakarta Palace Dispute Draws Responses from Two Factions
The leadership polemic of the Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat has once again drawn public attention following the emergence of an online petition on change.org titled “Reveal the Truth to End the Surakarta Palace Polemic”. The petition, created in the name of the Alliance of Indonesian Culture, has gone viral in recent days.
The petition calls on the government to facilitate an objective and transparent resolution of the dispute, grounded in law, custom, history and verifiable evidence.
The petition is addressed to the President, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Governor of Central Java, the Mayor of Surakarta, the House of Representatives (DPR RI), the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) and the National Commission on Human Rights.
The petitioners also proposed the formation of an independent team to examine historical documents, genealogies and various pieces of evidence related to the palace leadership polemic. They even opened the possibility of using scientific methods, including DNA testing, should this be deemed relevant and approved by all parties.
The emergence of the petition has drawn differing responses from the two factions that have long been at odds over the leadership of the Surakarta Keraton.
KPAAd Nur Wijaya Adiningrat, Pangageng Paran Parakarsa of Sri Susuhunan Paku Buwono XIV, or KGPH Puruboyo, stated that the succession mechanism within the Surakarta Keraton is monarchical and cannot be equated with a democratic system.
“This is a monarchy, not a democracy. In any monarchy in the world, when the king passes away, it is automatically the crown prince who ascends the throne,” Nur Wijaya told journalists at the Surakarta Keraton on Saturday, 25 July 2026.
According to him, the palace, as a customary institution, has a succession procedure governed by monarchical tradition. Therefore, the transfer of the throne is not carried out through elections or deliberation as in a democratic political system.
He said opinions from various parties can still be voiced within the palace. However, the final decision rests solely with the king.
“One may express opinions, but the decision remains in the king’s hands,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Customary Council Institution (LDA), which supports KGPH Hangabehi as SISKS Paku Buwono XIV, stated that it appreciates public attention to the future of the Surakarta Keraton.
GKR Koes Moertiyah Wandansari, also known as Gusti Moeng, Pengageng Sasana Wilapa from the Hangabehi faction and Chair of the LDA, said the growing public attention shows the palace still holds an important position as a centre of Javanese culture.
“The Surakarta Hadiningrat Keraton is a historical, cultural and national trust passed down across generations. Therefore, safeguarding the palace is not only the responsibility of the extended royal family, but also the shared responsibility of the government and all Indonesian society,” Gusti Moeng said in a written statement received by Tempo on Friday, 24 July 2026.
Gusti Moeng believes the resolution of the polemic should not be directed towards determining a winner or loser. More important, according to them, is establishing legal, customary, historical and institutional certainty through an objective, transparent, fair and accountable process.
In the statement, Gusti Moeng noted that the LDA is part of the institutional structure of the Surakarta Hadiningrat Keraton and has a legal basis. They cited Minister of Culture Decision Number 8 of 2026, which stipulates that the protection, development and utilisation of the Cultural Heritage Zone of the Surakarta Hadiningrat Keraton is carried out through coordination with the Pengageng Sasana Wilapa, the Chair of the Customary Council Institution and the extended royal family.
Responding to the DNA testing proposal in the petition, the LDA stated that a scientific approach could be considered provided it is conducted professionally, independently and objectively, with the consent of all parties, while respecting human rights and privacy.
However, according to the LDA, DNA test results cannot be the sole basis for resolving the palace leadership polemic. Such results must be combined with historical facts, genealogies, customary paugeran rules, valid documents and applicable legal provisions.
The LDA stated it is ready to participate should the government deem it necessary to facilitate dialogue or a resolution mechanism involving various stakeholders. The institution also invited the extended royal family, the government, cultural figures, academics, customary leaders, the mass media and society to seize the growing public attention as momentum to strengthen reconciliation and the preservation of the Surakarta Keraton.