Royal status, a modern life phenomenon

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)