Palembang gets new sultan after 182 years

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The council of the Palembang Customary Community has installed Raden Muhammad Syafei Prabu Diraja as sultan of Palembang Darussalam with the title of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III after the throne had lain vacant for 182 years.

The coronation of the sultan took place on Tuesday at the Lawang Kidul Mosque, close to the tomb of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin I (1724-1756), who was also known as Kawah Tengkurep.

Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III is the first traditional ruler of Palembang since Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II, who died in Ternate, North Maluku, in 1821, after he was jailed by the Dutch authorities, who administered the archipelago at the time and had taken control of his palace, the Benteng Kuto Besak.

"It's just the beginning. I will conduct an inquiry as to the area of the sultanate, its customs and traditions, descendants and the sultanate accoutrements after the council of the Palembang Customary Community approves me as the valid heir to the sultanate throne," the newly installed sultan said.

"The role of sultan which I will have will not be the same as that of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II, as I will only be a customary leader now that Palembang is controlled by the Republic of Indonesia," he said. --Antara