Why can it be so difficult for local leaders to die?

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

When former president Soeharto was admitted to the Pertamina Hospital in Central Jakarta last December, people speculated that he could be about to die. The fact is the 78-year-old man managed to survive and was released from the hospital after intensive treatment.

People then linked his physical condition with a Javanese belief that such a person must be in the Sumlanggoro and Sumlanggem conditions, meaning the difficulty for a person to die because he possesses extraordinary mystical energy or strength acquired during his lifetime (called Joyokawijayan in the Javanese language).

Such a person must be fully aware that the powers in his possession will become a pepalang (obstacle) to his death though the physical condition no longer supports life.

This opinion was recently revealed by a Javanese cultural observer, Suryanto Sastroatmadja, to The Jakarta Post. He said a person who experiences great difficulty in dying at his old age is suspected to have some unfinished business in his life.

"But it's also possible that such a person has some secret mystical powers, which creates an obstruction for him to meet his death."

In the traditional Javanese belief, there are five elements that could make a person's death difficult.

First, in the case of a person who feels guilty for committing numerous sins in his life, it is called Pantirasianta, literally meaning the home of imprisoned emotions. This applies to everyone, from the common people up to the high-ranking leaders. Normally a huge number of problems reside inside such a person.

Second is Andayupanti, meaning to create superiority through various sacrifices, including searching for mystical powers to enrich oneself or to enhance one's physical prowess.

The person is less aware that the accumulation of these powers will weaken him against external energy. For example, when he is attacked with black magic sent by another person, he would not be able to resist but could only attempt to hold out and retain his physical self.

The third element is Wicaksagriya or Wicaksangriya, referring to an old person who cannot experience a simple death. Instead, he must go through a painful process. This could be caused as his early life was lived far from virtiously.

It also applies to those searching for mystical powers in faraway places to cover up their economic shortcomings in their youth. This kind of small-mindedness prevents them from positive interaction in the society and later creates difficulties for them in the face of death.

The fourth element is Ibrapuji, which is attributed to those who have a near death experience. But they are incapable of speech or normal body movements after the experience.

The near death experience, suffered more than once, could effect their five senses. The persons had obviously abused the powers, which were not theirs, in their youth. Therefore the energy field beyond their control would set a curse upon them and make exiting life extremely difficult.

The last element is Padasirnabaya, concerning those who lie limp, similar to a corpse, but stay alive. They retain body heat, the eyes are open and able to see but they are incapable of anything else.

Though human in form, they closely resemble sprawled powerless and motionless dolls. This is generally due to the excessive abuse of conscience or violation of God's laws as well as the positive values of life.

Those belonging to this group have certainly told the worst of lies, which hurt mankind, part of the universe created by God, thus ultimately committing a major offense toward Him as well.

These are the five elements stopping some people from dying normally or Emating mati patitis. They block them on their journey to heaven. Hence they oscillate and are set adrift between their past, current and future paths. They are finally rendered as mere living corpses.

One of the best solutions recommended is Pangleburan Rasa Jenawi, which is a kind of "self-dissolution". The essence of the ritual is to release the mystical powers within the person to dissolve the barrier.

In the case of a person who has brought a great deal of suffering to many people, a confession is required.

"A relative can act as a representative for the confession," Suryanto said.

The confession requires sincerity and can be assisted by relatives. The obstructing mystical powers can be removed and the soul-purifying rituals can be easily performed by an endowed spiritual teacher to free the five elements floating between heaven and earth.

These are some of the reasons why it is difficult for leaders to die a smooth, natural death. Acknowledging himself as Javanese, former president Soeharto should be very well aware of his past deeds. Only he himself can measure the dimension of his mistakes or wrongdoings.