Sultan, Gus Dur reject 'antek' remark
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.