Surakarta palace's conflict cools down

Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Surakarta

Conflict between rival princes in Surakarta's Hadiningrat Palace has started to cool down after the two finally met on Tuesday morning following a clash between their supporters on Monday.

The brief meeting at the Dalem Kasentanan, the palace's living room, was held at 3 a.m. on Tuesday and witnessed by Prince Haryomataram and two lawyers, Elza Syarief representing His Highness Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo Hangabehi and Hari Susilo for High Highness Tedjowulan.

At the meeting, it was agreed that the two rival princes would meet from time to time after the Tingalan Dalem Jumenengan ceremony to be held to celebrate a year of Hangabehi's rule on Tuesday.

At the celebration the tension of the past few days had almost dissipated, with some 1,000 guests, including State Minister of Administrative Reform Taufik Effendi and Surakarta Mayor Joko Widodo as well as some regents, attending the event. However, many invited guests failed to show up following the reports of clashes between the rival princes' supporters on Monday.

A parade around the palace complex was held after the ceremony but unlike previous years, it did not attract much attention.

"I didn't think there would a parade after the clashes. I learned about the parade upon my return from shopping at Klewer Market," said Paimo, a resident of the Central Java town of Klaten.

On Monday, Tedjowulan and his supporters pushed down fences outside the palace's main gate, demanding to meet Hangabehi and insisting they had come to save the palace's sacred heirlooms and dignity.

The meeting between the two rival princes happened after several police and military figures, including the chief of Surakarta police Sr. Comr. Abdul Madjid and commander of Surakarta military resort Col. Tisna Koswara, stepped in to help resolve the matter.

When asked about the meeting, both lawyers, Elza Syarief and Hari Susilo, refused to comment. "Let's see, everything will be cleared up. Everything will be fine," Elza said.

Meanwhile, Prince Soeryo Wicaksono, a Tedjowulan supporter, told The Jakarta Post that a deal had been struck between the two princes.

"His Highness Hangabehi is willing to meet (Tedjowulan) from time to time. He asks His Highness Tedjowulan to call his cell phone or home number any time he wants to arrange a meeting," he said.

Despite the meeting, problems still remain. A Hangabehi supporter, Princess Koes Moertiyah, planned to report Tedjowulan to the police, charging him with causing injury to four of Hangabehi's supporters. "We plan to immediately report the assault to the police," Moertiyah said.

Noted dancer-choreographer Sardono W. Kusumo said the conflict within the palace's walls was an embarrassment.

"The late Pakubuwono XII initiated reconciliation, which caused many political leaders, such as Abdurrahman Wahid and Akbar Tanjung, to come to him. But why are his children promoting an 'amok' culture instead," he wondered.

Pakubuwono XII died on June 11 last year without naming a successor. This brought the two princes, Hangabehi and Tedjowulan, into conflict, with each claiming to be the rightful heir to the sultanate.