Royal status, a modern life phenomenon

JAKARTA (JP): Nowadays affluent people are trying to seek noble titles. They examine their family tree and search for any clues that could link them to a royal family. For them, holding such a title gives a feeling of pride and prestige.

What do both royal palace insiders and outsiders think about royalty, and the search for and preservation of noble titles?

Ong Hok Ham, historian: New elites seek connections to old elites ... so new rich people also seek affiliation to the keraton culture ... And old elites also seek links to new ones to remain in power, that's the wheel of history. But many (of the Javanese sultans) don't seem too concerned about this. None of (Surakarta sultan) Paku Buwono XII's more than 30 offspring have joined ABRI (the Armed Forces), or have married a member ... Only the Mangkunegaran (the second keraton in Surakarta) dynasty seems to be seeking links with the new elite, like marrying into famous families -- Sujiwo Kusumo, the family's prince, was once married to former president Sukarno's third daughter Sukmawati Sukarnoputri -- while one of his sisters was married to a Malaysian prince.

These show instincts of wanting to keep a grip on power.

The powerful want to stay in power, the rich want to stay rich, so that's the way it's done.

Hadiprabowo, a son of Paku Buwono XII from the Surakarta palace, holder of a Gusti Pangeran Haryo title and a businessman: Such a royal status is important not only for myself in daily life, but also for the preservation of the Javanese culture in general.

We have a moral obligation to preserve our rich and traditional culture. Our ancestors entrusted us to uphold and implement their ancient heritage in our daily activities.

I agree this royal status might not be the most important thing nowadays. However such status helps us gain more respect and trust from others because Indonesians still appreciate status very much.

Permadi Satrio Wiwoho, noted soothsayer who was granted a Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung honorary title from Paku Buwono XII: People should maintain the tradition of addressing members of the royal family with their titles even though the title will not bring any political or economic benefit to its holder beyond increasing his or her pride and confidence.

(It is) part of the nation's consensus to maintain our tradition and culture.

I agree royal titles could be exploited by their holders for their own interests. They might "sell" their title to marry more than one woman. If I came to a village, a peasant would gladly give me his daughter.

Nowadays the political influence of a royal depends on his own efforts.

The Yogyakarta Sultan, for instance, maintains his political sway over the Yogyakartans because he is also chairman of the Yogyakarta chapter of the ruling political organization Golkar.

Jowasito, 62, senior household staff member of the Yogyakarta Sultanate: I feel honored to work for the Sultan. I work for the keraton only for my own prestige.

Policemen would not dare to stop me on my bicycle if I wear my uniform to go to the Sultanate.

Ramdan Phidu, a freelance photographer in the surroundings of the Yogyakarta Sultanate: The keraton is only useful as a historical relic nowadays.

I still do not understand local beliefs about such absurd things, including people's belief that Nyai Roro Kidul (the Queen of the South Sea, consort to all kings of Java) really exists.

However, I deeply respect the Sultan because he is loved by the people and has a great influence on them.

A Dutch construction consultant who has lived in Indonesia for more than 15 years and who asked for anonymity: The keraton is only a medium to attract tourists to visit Yogyakarta, even its function as a cultural center has declined.

The decreasing role of the keraton was mostly caused by the aggressive and capitalistic western culture.

However I'll be really sad if the traditional royal culture becomes extinct one day.

R. Astuti, former political student, distantly related to a Javanese royal family: Organizations of royal descendants were important in the 1960s to recruit loyal people to those in power. In the 1970s and 1980s they were more important for social status and business connections. Now that the government has conducted much deregulation, seeking claims to royal links is less important, and even less relevant to those under 40 with a good education.

But being linked to a royal or claiming to be one is still very useful to help one get a job. My aunt keeps telling me to go to Mbak (elder sister) So-and-so to get a better job but I wouldn't do that. (team)