Royal family members vie for deputy governor post

Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Competition between two candidates for the position of deputy governor, both from the Paku Alam royal family, has reached an alarming level, with their supporters taking to the streets and putting advertisements in local newspapers.

On Thursday some 4,000 people, mostly civil servants from four regencies in Yogyakarta, took to the streets to express their support for the king of Puro Paku Alaman, Paku Alam IX.

Paku Alam's supporters flocked the provincial legislative council building compound on Jl. Malioboro to demonstrate their support for Paku Alam IX.

What happened later was an imitation of the swearing-in of Paku Alam IX, acted out by Paku Alam IX himself.

Paku Alam IX stepped up to the stage to be "sworn in" as Yogyakarta deputy governor, while a huge banner reading "Yogyakarta Legislative Council for the inauguration of Pakualam IX as deputy governor" was displayed behind the stage where the "ceremony" took place.

The people also brought posters, some of which read, "Don't separate Paku Alam from Hamengku Buwono", and "Maintaining the duo of Hamengku Buwono and Paku Alam is maintaining Yogyakarta's Special Status."

Such an odd way of supporting a candidate for deputy governor is a breakthrough in this country, after another strange campaign to support a rival candidate was launched by Anglingkusumo, Paku Alam IX's half brother.

Paku Alam IX, whose real name is Ambarkusumo, was the child of the queen, while Anglingkusumo was the child of a concubine.

Anglingkusumo's camp had earlier campaigned through advertisements in local papers at least three times.

In response to Anglingkusumo's ads, Paku Alam IX's camp then had a display in Bernas and Kedaulatan Rakyat newspapers on Oct. 25., inviting people to support Paku Alam IX as new deputy governor.

The legislative council has apparently smelt the unhealthy atmosphere between the two camps. On Friday, it was the legislature's turn to put an ad in Kedaulatan Rakyat, calling on people not to be provoked by either camp, and promising to work professionally (in selecting the deputy governor).

The provincial legislature is now working hard to select the best deputy governor, who should be inaugurated.

Now that everything has become complicated, the legislators do not know exactly when the deputy governor will be installed.

There has been no explanation as to why the deputy governor has not yet been installed, despite the fact that Hamengku Buwono X was installed as governor around two and a half years ago.

Paku Alaman is an autonomous small kingdom, whose royal authority is related to that of the Yogyakarta Palace, under Hamengku Buwono X. Paku Alam I, with support from the British ruler (Governor-General Thomas Stamford Raffles) in 1813, went against his father, Hamengku Buwono I, the Yogyakarta sultan.

He then established a small kingdom known as Paku Alaman, whose territory covers a district of Paku Alaman in Yogyakarta and some areas in Kulon Progo regency.