Former President Megawati: Why does the Current Government Now Want to Act Like the New Order Regime?
By Ardito Ramadhan, Novianti Setuningsih for Kompas.com, November 27, 2023, 18:42 Local
JAKARTA — Ms. Megawati Soekarnoputri, the Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)1 and Indonesia’s fifth president, expressed her displeasure towards the current national leadership, pointing to their inclination to emulate the authoritarian stance reminiscent of the New Order regime2 which was replaced in May 1998.
Her sentiments were expressed at a national coordinating meeting for campaign volunteers for the PDI-P endorsed candidates for the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Mr. Ganjar Pramono and Mr. Mahfud MD.3
The meeting was also attended by leaders of volunteer groups supporting the pair from across Java Island, held at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) in the Kemayoran district of Jakarta on Monday, November 27th, 2023.
“In truth, I shouldn’t be speaking like this, but I am annoyed. This republic is filled with sacrifices, do you realize that? Why now do those in power want to behave like the New Order era?” Ms. Megawati remarked.
Her statement received cheers from thousands of Ganjar-Mahfud supporters attending. Many rose in their seats, repeatedly chanting “Oppose that.”
Responding to the volunteers’ cheers, Mr. Ganjar rallied them, proclaiming the need to secure their victory alongside Mr. Mahfud MD in a single round of voting, without the need for a run off round of voting. “Isn’t that right? Freedom, freedom, freedom! We will win! Ganjar-Mahfud in one round!” Ms. Megawati lead the volunteers.
Expressing her own frustrations, Mr. Megawati emphasized her human side, highlighting her annoyance when not accorded due respect despite being a former president.
“Imagine this, why am I not respected? Why? I was president, the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, mind you,” Megawati emphasized.
Furthermore, Ms. Megawati urged the Indonesian people not to fear fighting potential fraud during the 2024 presidential election.
“We are the people of Indonesia, the police are also part of Indonesia’s people, what we call the armed forces are part of the people of Indonesia, even the government authorities are part of the people of Indonesia. Is that true or not? Realize this, don’t be afraid,” she urged.
Ms. Megawati’s impassioned speech drew attention to the growing concerns among her supporters, resonating with a call to maintain the country’s democratic integrity ahead of the upcoming elections.
This article is based on: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2023/11/27/18421611/megawati-kenapa-sekarang-penguasa-ingin-bertindak-seperti-waktu-orde-baru; https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2023/11/28/10341191/jengkel-merasa-tak-dihormati-megawati-saya-pernah-jadi-presiden-lho
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Footnotes:
- PDI-P – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_Democratic_Party_of_Struggle ↩︎
- New Order – See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Order_(Indonesia). Indonesia’s New Order regime, spanning from the mid-1960s to the late 1990s under President Suharto’s rule, marked an era of authoritarian governance. Initiated after a tumultuous period of political instability, it emphasized economic development, stability, and centralized control. The regime silenced political opposition, curtailed civil liberties, and enforced strict censorship. Suharto’s administration implemented economic reforms, fostering significant growth but led to corruption and cronyism. The regime’s suppression of dissent sparked human rights abuses, including anti-communist purges in the 1960s. Ultimately, mounting economic turmoil and societal unrest culminated in Suharto’s resignation, signaling the end of the New Order in 1998. ↩︎
- For background on the 2024 presidential election see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Indonesian_general_election. ↩︎
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