PDIP Marks 30th Anniversary of 'Kudatuli' with Theatrical Performance

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) staged a theatrical performance to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 27 July riots, or Kudatuli, at the PDIP Central Executive Board (DPP) office in Central Jakarta. The party stated that the theatrical action was intended to recall the history of its struggle.

PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto declared that grassroots power can never be uprooted by authority during the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Kudatuli incident in Jakarta on Sunday. Hasto likened the people’s strength to grass, which endures despite pressure from those in power.

"The grass may be cut down. The grass may be trampled, may be burned until the ground is black, but its roots remain in the soil. And once watered by rain, it grows back, thicker than before. That is what those who raided the PDI office never understood," he said, as quoted by Antara on Sunday (26/7/2026).

According to Hasto, this grassroots philosophy shapes the party’s character to continuously move alongside ordinary people in conducting politics. The 30th anniversary commemoration of Kudatuli also featured a theatrical performance depicting the storming of the DPP PDI office on 27 July 1996 by masses from the Soerjadi faction of PDI, supported by the New Order regime, against supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Bonnie Triyana, Head of the PDIP DPP History Agency, noted that three decades have passed since the 27 July 1996 riots at the DPP PDI office. The event became a crucial turning point for the journey of democracy in Indonesia. According to Bonnie, the passage of time will never truly erase historical wounds as long as legal justice has not been fully served for the victims and the families left behind.

"Time may pass, but historical wounds never truly disappear as long as justice remains unfulfilled," he said. Bonnie added that the theatrical performance was not merely art, but an effort to recreate a time when violence was used against the opposition. "We are not here to reopen wounds, but to ensure that these wounds are never forgotten. Art helps us feel what documents cannot express," he said.

The theatrical performance was presented by the art group Teater Gates. The act depicted how masses from the Soerjadi faction of PDI, backed by the New Order regime, raided and damaged the PDI office, which was being defended at the time by loyal supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Following the theatrical performance, the event continued with a traditional ritual procession of national ruwatan, solemnly performed by the indigenous community of Kasepuhan Cisungsang (South Banten). This traditional ruwatan was intended as a symbol of inner cleansing, preserving collective memory, and a collective prayer for the souls of the fallen victims. The procession concluded with a parade of traditional art performances by the Ngarengkong indigenous community, a presentation from Kasepuhan Cilebang.

As the highlight of the event, artist Butet Kartaredjasa performed a profound poetry reading entitled "Melawan dan Berjuang" (Resist and Struggle). The event was attended by PDIP DPP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, senior figure Sidarto Danusubroto, former journalist Widiarsi Agustina, members of the party’s central board, as well as a number of artists and pro-democracy figures. PDIP DPP Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri watched the proceedings online.