Sultan, Gus Dur reject 'antek' remark
Slamet Susanto and Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta/Semarang
Leader of the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) Gen. (ret) R. Hartono has sparked uproar for his call for Yogyakarta people to devote themselves to former president Soeharto.
Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono X said on Wednesday that Hartono's statement reflected the attempts of New Order followers to make a comeback, efforts, which he said, should be closely observed.
"On May 20, 1998, I asked the people of Yogyakarta to support the reform movement. I reject the call to support the New Order regime, or any individual," Hamengkubuwono, who is also the sultan, said.
He was commenting on Hartono's remark during a rally in Yogyakarta on Sunday that the people should stand by Soeharto as his antek, (loyal supporters). Hartono was the Army chief during the twilight years of Soeharto's term.
Soeharto is a native Yogyakartan, who, during his three-decade tenure, highlighted his role as the brains behind the heroic March 1, 1949 attack on Dutch colonial troops in the town. After his downfall in May 1998, historians turned the tables on his claim, saying it was Hamengkubuwono IX, the current sultan's late father, who masterminded the historic attack.
Hamengkubuwono X said before a crowd of thousands on May 20, 1998 that Soeharto should resign. The president stepped down the day after, following weeks of rallies.
On Wednesday, the sultan expressed his regret over Hartono's remark, calling it a "negative expression" that would not encourage people to build the nation.
"I don't know what his motive was. He should have explained his party's vision and mission, instead of glorifying an individual," Hamengkubuwono said.
Separately in Semarang, Central Java, former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid also lamented Hartono's statement.
"Hartono and Tutut should not ask people to adopt sentimental ways of thinking. They should ask people to work toward a better future," Gus Dur said.
PKPB, which will likely nominate Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti "Tutut" Rukmana as its presidential candidate, has often reminded people of (what they refer to as) the "good old days" under Soeharto.
Furthermore, Gus Dur insinuated that Hartono was untruthful for frequently telling the people of East Java that he supported Tutut's presidential aspirations.
"Let him exercise his political right but people will not believe in him (Hartono). He often tell lies," Gus Dur said.
He said Hartono's call would not receive popular support as PKPB is still a small party which many people do not recognize.