Remembering the Kudatuli Incident Through a History and Photo Exhibition

Indonesia’s 5th President and Chairperson of the PDI Perjuangan (PDIP), Megawati Soekarnoputri, has reflected on the events of 27 July 1996, known as the Kudatuli incident. Megawati vividly remembers the tragedy, which is now featured in a historical and photo archive exhibition titled ‘Meretas Jalan Demokrasi’ (Paving the Way for Democracy) at the Museum Koleksi, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Cikini, Central Jakarta. ‘I myself still do not understand it to this day. Although deep down, I do understand,’ Megawati said after touring the exhibition on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The public exhibition is part of a series of reflections commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 27 July 1996 incident, known as Kudatuli. The Kudatuli incident was a bloody clash on 27 July 1996 at the PDI Central Executive Board office on Jalan Diponegoro, Central Jakarta. The tragedy was triggered by a power struggle within the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) between Megawati Soekarnoputri’s faction and the Soerjadi faction, which was backed by the New Order government. The storming of Megawati’s supporters’ headquarters by pro-Soerjadi masses and security forces sparked mass riots. According to Komnas HAM records, the incident resulted in five deaths, 149 injuries, and 23 missing persons. ‘For me, Kudatuli is a symbol of injustice, and it must never happen again,’ she stated. Megawati still questions the attack on the PDI Central Executive Board office she led at the time, noting that the office’s location was legal and recognised by the state. ‘The place itself was legal. It was provided by the state. My support was also legitimate. But why, because I won, was I treated like this? And the attack did not come from outside, it came from our own apparatus,’ she said. Megawati recounted that after the attack, she faced pressure and was summoned for questioning three times. ‘I am not a provocateur. I am responsible to this nation,’ she said. Megawati then urged the younger generation not to lose direction in building the nation’s future. She stressed that young people must have conviction, courage, determination, and patience, while maintaining their dignity as Indonesians. ‘Engrave it in your heart that I am an Indonesian and I have the dignity of being an Indonesian,’ Megawati said. The historical and photo archive exhibition ‘Meretas Jalan Demokrasi’ at the Museum Koleksi, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta, is open to the public from 21 to 28 July 2026. PDIP General Treasurer Olly Dondokambey said the exhibition aims to recall how the reformasi movement unfolded and to help the public understand the incident. ‘This reformasi emerged from a very authoritarian power, which led to resistance,’ Olly said. Olly explained that the 30th anniversary commemoration of Kudatuli began on 18 July and will run until the peak event on 27 July 2026. ‘The commemoration on the 27th of July at the DPP office will include a flower scattering ceremony, the installation of a Kudatuli incident monument, and we will also present victims of this incident,’ he said.